U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack is in China this week, where he’ll ask Chinese regulators to get on the same page with the U.S. when it comes to evaluating genetically modified crops. Grant Gerlock, of Harvest Public Media, reports.
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It’s a trade visit that happens every year, but this time there is added interest for American farmers. China has rejected 5 loads of corn from the U.S. in recent weeks. The corn contained an insect-resistant trait from the seed company, Syngenta, that’s approved in the U.S. but not China.
VILSACK: China’s leadership has embraced biotechnology, and there seems to be disconnect at the regulatory level.
That’s ag secretary Tom Vilsack. China was the top market for farm exports from the U.S. last year, but Vilsack says the country’s slow approach to regulating biotech crops is a regular point of friction.
VILSACK: China basically does not start its regulatory process on new events until a country like America or Brazil or Argentina has finished their work. Vilsack will ask Chinese regulators to start the process when the U.S. does, even if it takes longer to complete. Syngenta has reportedly resubmitted an application to have its trait approved in China. I’m Grant Gerlock, Harvest Public Media. ####