China has approved a 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 U.S. and Brazil.
Tag Archives GMOs
China approves seed firms for GMO corn and soybeans
The world's biggest buyer of soybeans and corn wants to reduce its reliance on imports
Comment: We must respect Mexico’s food sovereignty
Mexico has a right to determine its corn policy, even if the U.S. and Canada don’t like it
Sept. 29 was Mexico’s national day celebrating the central place corn has in Mexican society and history. This year, there is a new threat to its future. Corn as we know it today was developed from an ancient plant called teocinte by Indigenous peoples over thousands of years, making Mexico the crop’s biological and cultural
Mexico says U.S. not playing ball on GM corn
Mexico has plans to restrict GM corn; the U.S. and Canada are not enthused
Reuters – The United States has denied a request by Mexico to jointly conduct scientific research on the health impact of genetically modified corn, says a Mexican government official. Mexico has repeatedly called on the U.S. to work together on scientific studies amid a conflict over the Latin American country’s plans to limit the use
Mexican president moves to prioritize domestic corn for tortillas
Mexico is embroiled in a dispute with the U.S. over decree to limit use of GM corn
Mexico City | Reuters — Mexico’s president announced on Monday he will sign an agreement this week with makers of the country’s food staple tortillas that ensures they only use non-genetically modified (GM) white corn while also setting new tariffs on imports of the grain. Tariffs on white corn imports from countries that do not
The trade take on CFIA’s gene-editing decision
Canada joins many countries friendly to GE crops, but some regions and organic markets will continue to opt out
When it comes to grain trade, systems that provide transparency and choice for customers will likely continue to be important as more gene-edited crops hit the market. “We’re working proactively on some of these approaches,” said Krista Zuzak, director of crop protection and production with Cereals Canada. WHY IT MATTERS: Trade impacts from the CFIA’s gene-editing decision are vastly different on either
China approves GM imports after decade of deliberation
Reuters – China has approved the import of eight genetically modified crops, including GMO alfalfa for the first time. Global seed companies have long complained about China’s slow approval process for GM crops, which slows commercialization of the products globally if they are not approved by one of the world’s biggest agriculture markets. Beijing has
How hybrid wheat could lead to more food without GMO fears
Reuters – American farmers are gaining access to a new type of wheat developed by agrichemical giant Syngenta without genetic engineering, as the world’s biggest seed companies seek to boost yields amid dwindling supplies of grain. Chinese-owned Syngenta is releasing hybrid wheat on 5,000 to 7,000 acres next year, a fraction of total U.S. plantings,
U.S. needs to press Mexico on looming biotech corn ban, Vilsack says
Reuters – U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack says he continues to talk with officials in Mexico about that country’s looming ban on genetically modified (GM) corn, adding that it will be important to get clarity on the issue in 2023. A decree issued by Mexico’s President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador in late 2020 would phase
Comment: With gene editing, let’s not repeat the same mistakes
Consumers will reap many benefits from this new technology, but their needs should be respected
We have now heard that Health Canada is likely to treat gene-edited crops differently from genetically modified crops, or GMOs, which means the oversight provided by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency would look very much like the one we see for conventionally bred crops. This issue is obviously far removed from consumers but will certainly
The pros and cons of non-GM soybeans
There’s the potential for higher returns, but growing them requires a bit more attention to detail
Growing premium-priced, food-grade, non-genetically modified (GM) soybeans is a fit for some Manitoba farmers — but it’s not for everyone. There are important factors to consider, says Dennis Lange, Manitoba Agriculture and Resource Development’s pulse crop specialist. Non-GM soybeans grown under contract can earn a $1.50 to $2 a bushel premium over regular GM soybeans destined for the crush market. In
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
