Recently, the media reported that COFCO imported 61,000 tons of genetically modified corn for the first time. The National Development and Reform Commission responded by saying that at present, China is allowed to import 11 kinds of genetically modified corn and it is only allowed for feed processing.
This response has once again stirred up the waves, and many people are concerned: Why does the state approve such a thing as controversial? Is it safe to use GM corn as feed?
COFCO imports large quantities of genetically modified corn
On July 21st, 61,000 tons of U.S. corn imported by COFCO reached Shekou in Shenzhen. This is the first time that COFCO has imported large-scale genetically modified corn for the past 14 years. Therefore, it has attracted much attention.
On July 30, the website of the National Development and Reform Commission published a response to the article, responding that according to the relevant provisions of the Protocol on China’s Accession to the World Trade Organization, at present China annually issues 720 million tons of corn import tariff quotas, of which 40% are non-state trade quotas and are mainly allocated to Domestic feed enterprises and other processing enterprises above a certain scale; the other 60% are state trading quotas, which are mainly allocated to state-run trading companies, that is, COFCO Corporation. In previous years, due to low domestic corn prices, companies rarely organized imports. This year, domestic corn prices have risen, while corn prices in the international market have been relatively low, resulting in corn imports.
The National Development and Reform Commission also believes that China is a world leader in corn production and consumption, and its annual output and consumption are over 150 million tons. Even if all 7.2 million tons of quota corn come in, the proportion of the domestic market will not exceed 5%, which will have limited impact on the domestic market. It will not suppress the market price of the main producing areas, nor will it harm the interests of grain farmers.
The person in charge of the National Development and Reform Commission also stated that some of the agricultural products such as hoarding of garlic, mung beans and other products have recently turned to the speculation of corn. The import of corn by the country is conducive to the suppression of excessive domestic corn prices and excessive growth.
Survival of Genetically Modified Maize
In fact, the people of the country have little interest in whether imported corn will suppress the price in the domestic market, and genetic modification is the point of view. At present, there is a great deal of debate in the industry regarding genetically modified corn.
Many researchers hold a positive and optimistic attitude towards GM crops.
Fang Xiaozi, one of the few high-profile GM corn supporters in China, has participated in the debate and published an article saying that genetically modified corn is more conducive to physical health.
An expert in the South China Agricultural University, who is reluctant to disclose his name, told the Southern Rural Daily reporter that in theory, genetically modified corn used as a feed would not harm animals. He explained that for crops, the original intent of GM research is definitely to solve certain problems. What genes are transferred are for good crops. For example, they can increase resistance to disease, increase oil content, and increase protein content. To further refine the gene level, what methods will be used to switch to what genes, what are the promoters and expression mechanisms used for the transfer, DNA fragments formed after the transgene, and whether the synthetic amino acid sequence will affect humans or animals? Harmful, it will be reviewed by a dedicated Security Council and then promoted to the market. He believes that the import and export quarantine departments must have done a lot of experiments to prove that these GM crops are harmless before they are allowed to import. In recent years, there have been no cases of side effects of genetically modified products in society.
Anyou Group is a famous feed production company in China. Hong Ping, chairman of the group, said in an interview with reporters that for now, he believes that genetically modified corn has no harm to animal health. However, in the long run, it is difficult to draw conclusions. He believes that GM soybeans occupied the Chinese market many years ago and are used in large amounts in feed, grain, and oil. If the genetic modification is harmful, it is very troublesome.
Greenpeace is firmly opposed to the promotion of genetically modified corn and launched a boycott appeal worldwide. Fang Lifeng, director of the Agriculture and Food Program of the organization, told the Southern Rural Daily reporter that imports of genetically modified crops may have some unforeseen problems, such as plant epidemics and carrying certain toxic species. In the long run, genetically modified species are not safe. Sexuality may cause pollution to the genes of traditional Chinese crop varieties in China, or it may create a bad competition mechanism. This has an unknown effect on the sustainable development of the entire ecological environment. China's food safety inspection department should be cautious. He believes that even if the GM crops themselves cannot see the problem for the time being, there are many uncertainties in the process of moving across the ocean to China for transportation. These are all factors that need to be taken into consideration.
The official basic attitude is positive
The reporter found that although the academic circles are arguing, from the perspective of public performance, relevant departments, including the National Development and Reform Commission and the Ministry of Agriculture, are generally positive about genetically modified corn.
On the official website of the Ministry of Agriculture, there is a section entitled “Transgenic Authorities Concernâ€. All of them are articles positively affirming GM foods, and there is no report on GM foods.
The relevant person in charge of the National Development and Reform Commission stated in his July 30 response that China attaches great importance to the safety of genetically modified foods and has very strict regulations on the import of genetically modified agricultural products. For example, there are more than 20 kinds of genetically modified corn in the world. There are 11 kinds of genetically modified corn that have been certified for safety and allowed to be imported. "Imported corn must not only be subject to strict inspections and inspections by the agricultural and inspection and quarantine departments, but also stored, transported, and fixed-point processed under the supervision of the inspection and quarantine department. Processing of the remaining waste must be destroyed and strictly prohibited. Circulation in the market. Currently imported corn is used in feed, pre-determined processing companies, fully closed operation." He also used soybeans as an example. From 2005 to 2009, China's cumulative import of soybeans has reached 166 million tons, most of which are genetically modified soybeans. However, strict regulatory measures have not adversely affected soybean oil and feed safety.
Right to know is the focus of all parties
Some industry insiders speculate that if the media did not follow up with reports, will the imported genetically modified corn of COFCO be quietly put into commercial production? Does the government ignore the public’s right to know?
Fang Lifeng briefed reporters on the UN "Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety" adopted in Montreal on January 29, 2000 and signed in Nairobi, Kenya on May 15-26 of the same year for GMOs and their products. International trade regulations should seek public opinions in the decision-making process and inform the public of the results. As one of the contracting countries, China is obligated to fulfill the contract, but for example “when did it get approvalâ€, “why not disclose the list of experts of the GMO safety committeeâ€, “whether the experts of the environment and food safety participate in the discussion†or “whether it will consult "Other stakeholders" and other such key information are not disclosed, and there is simply no guarantee that the public has the right to participate and decision-making.
For instance, for example, Brazil, India and other countries as contract countries have performed better in this respect than China, and they are worth learning from, especially India. As a neighboring country of China, the Indian government will hold a public hearing in the decision-making process to discuss the commercialization of genetically modified crops. They will invite representatives from all walks of life in society to express their views on the government’s decision and collect people first. Opinions will also openly disclose research findings to the public, and then sum up and draw conclusions from the general public. Finally, we must make decisions on whether or not to import genetically modified species and whether they can enter the market because the government and the people’s representatives are well aware that The effects of genetic species over a long period of time after planting are uncertain.
Fang said that genetically modified crops are essentially species derived from artificial synthetic methods. Even scientists are not sure that there is no potential danger. In addition, effective information is not disclosed in a timely manner, so I hope that the government will The commercialization of decision-making should be more cautious and strive to ensure the legitimacy and safety of the circulation of genetically modified crops from all aspects. Faced with the voice of consumers, the government should disclose information to ensure consumers' right to information, participation, and decision-making. Consumers should also understand GM crops in various ways, increase their awareness, and get rid of the hat of “GM illiteracy†and become the master of the market.
Does corn repeat the mistakes of soybeans?
China's soybean market has experienced the bitter experience of being eroded by genetically modified soybeans. Will corn repeat the same mistakes?
Fang Lifeng told reporters that in the past few years, the entire soybean industry had been greatly affected. Soybean planting areas in Heilongjiang and even the entire northeast region have been declining, and the output has been lower year-on-year. A large number of soybean farmers are facing unemployment problems. Therefore, there are good reasons to worry about China's corn market. It is not impossible for it to be controlled by foreign capital. He hopes that the government will also notice such a situation and take measures as soon as possible to prevent such situation from happening.
The above-mentioned experts in South China Agricultural University believe that the Chinese corn market is not so "good bully". He believes that soybeans and corn are different. Soyabeans cannot be fed directly. They must first be pressed into soybean oil, soybean meal, bean cake and other secondary products before they can become feed for livestock and poultry. Soybean itself cannot be used as a direct feed raw material. Therefore, once foreign capital controls the oil mill and controls the amount of soybean meal, it can control the price of soybeans, soybean oil, and some bean products. This is a relatively simple process, but corn is a very large direct raw material and feed. It can be smashed directly or indirectly, and then used as feed to feed livestock and poultry, so foreign capital is not good at controlling the direction of corn from the processing link, and the demand for corn is very large, and foreign capital is also very difficult to start. It is very easy. Caught the attention of the government.
The person in charge of the National Development and Reform Commission also stated that the import of genetically modified corn could not affect the domestic market because the import quota was only 7.2 million tons, which is less than 5% of the total domestic corn consumption of 150 million tons.
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