The Chinese government has approved five gene-edited (GE) crops and 12 types of genetically modified (GM) soyabean, corn and cotton in a bid to boost high-yield varieties, reduce reliance on imports and ensure food security, Reuters reported.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs issued safety certificates for the 17 crop varieties, valid for five years starting from 25 December, according to a document on its website on 31 December, the report on the same date said.
The approved GE crops include two soyabean varieties, and one each of wheat, corn and rice.
Approved varieties include seeds from Beijing-based feed group Dabeinong and China National Seed Group, a subsidiary of seeds and pesticides company Syngenta Group, according to the report.
In addition, China had authorised the import of an insect-resistant and herbicide-tolerant GM soyabean variety from German chemical and biotech firm BASF exclusively as a processing material, the ministry added.
Over the past year, the country had increased approvals for higher-yielding GM corn and soyabean seeds to raise domestic production and reduce grain imports, Reuters wrote.
China mainly imports GM crops such as corn and soyabeans for animal feed, while producing non-GM varieties for food consumption, according to the report.
Many Chinese consumers remained concerned about the safety of GM food crops, the report said.
