China approves seed firms for GMO corn and soybeans

The Agriculture and Rural Affairs Ministry granted licences to 26 local companies to produce, distribute and sell GMO seeds in specific provinces. — Reuters

BEIJING: China has approved the first batch of seed companies to breed and sell genetically modified corn and soybean seeds, paving the way for commercial planting of GMO grains in a move that could cut its reliance on imports from the United States and Brazil.

In a Dec 25 notice, the Agriculture and Rural Affairs Ministry granted licences to 26 local companies to produce, distribute and sell (genetically modified organism) GMO seeds in specific provinces.