Syngenta may still be selling GM corn that has not been approved in China

2014-02-11 Developments

2014-02-10 09:04 |
source: China Grain Network |
WASHINGTON, Feb. 8-U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said Friday that Syngenta (Syngenta) is obligated to sell all genetically modified corn, even though the genetically modified variety has not been approved by China.

Vilsack said that regardless of whether China approves the genetically modified corn, known as MIR162 or Agrisure Viptera, Syngenta is still selling it, and the supply for the 2014 planting season has been "basically sold out".

Since November last year, China has returned about 600,000 tons of U.S. corn because of the discovery of MIR162 genetically modified corn produced by Syngenta. The corn was approved in the United States in 2010, but is still awaiting approval in China. At the end of last month, two major food groups in the United States issued a statement demanding that Syngenta suspend the commercial sale of two genetically modified corn. In their statement, the National Grain Feed Association (NGFA) and the North American Export Grain Association (NAEGA) asked the company to suspend the promotion of its Viptera (MIR162) and the Duracade of genetically modified corn until approved by China and other U.S. corn importing countries.

Vilsack said he was aware that Syngenta and China still had problems with the approval of Viptera genetically modified corn, but he pointed out that China had recently renewed a number of safety permits for genetically modified products so that China could import these genetically modified corn and soybeans. We have been working to make Chinese regulators more receptive to GM products, he added.

U.S. industry groups pointed out in an open letter at the end of last month that U.S. corn exports had been threatened by Syngenta's commercial promotion in the United States before it was approved by the importing country. NAEGA and NGFA are deeply concerned about the economic damage faced by exporters, distributors and U.S. growers as a result of Syngenta's current improper handling of GM corn approvals, the statement said.

In addition: on Wednesday (February 5), Swiss Syngenta (Syngenta) officials said they had sold out MIR162 genetically modified corn banned in China.

U.S. grain exporters had asked Syngenta to suspend sales of genetically modified corn seeds that have not yet been approved by China.

Davor Pisk, chief operating officer of Syngenta, told an analyst meeting that the market demand is strong because the genetically modified seed can resist root disease. MIR162 transgenic corn is also known as Agrisure Duracade.

Syngenta announced that it had sold out of the genetically modified seeds, bringing the market's focus back to grain traders, who must decide whether to buy the genetically modified corn grown by farmers.

Major U.S. grain industry groups have previously called for Syngenta to suspend the commercialization of Duracade and another genetically modified corn Agrisure Viptera until China approves imports. (Source: Boyi Master)