Chinese Government To Fund Biotech Research
February 3, 2009 In July 2008, the Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao made an announcement that an additional $3 billion in government support would be offered for the development of agricultural biotechnology over the next 15 years. This signals China’s intent to use biotechnology as a key means to address food security and re-affirms its previous position that the technology can be used safely.
“To solve the food problem, we have to rely on big science and technology measures, rely on biotechnology, rely on GM,” Premier Wen Jiabao said. This strong pro-biotech policy suggests that major food crops may soon break free from a long regulatory limbo and be permitted for planting. Of the six GM crops allowed by the Chinese government, only cotton has truly become popular. Until recently, the government has been against growing other GM staples such as rice, corn and soybeans. A change to permit the planting of biotech food crops could significantly alter Chinese production and rural economy in the coming years. However, concerns still remain about transparency in China’s biotechnology regulatory and approval system and its ability to evolve with this rapidly changing technology.
The China See Expo was held September 10-12 at the Liaoning Industrial Exhibition Center, located in northeast China, Shenyang, a business and cultural center in Liaoning Province.China is the second largest seed market, and China Seed Expo 2008 was the first professional seed trade exhibition at the national level. Strongly supported by China Ministry of Agriculture, Liaoning Provincial Government and seed industrial associations, the Expo was also the first international-standard trade event of its kind in China.
The Expo featured about 500 exhibiting booths, showcasing the latest development of seed products and technologies from around the world, including cotton seed varieties. In conjunction with the expo, a global seed industry summit and a series of seminars and conferences were held. These events attracted technical experts and industrial professionals as speakers, featuring issues on property right control and the latest development and prospects of the seed industry.
Since GM cotton is currently the only crop grown in a significant quantity, it has had plenty of attention and opportunity to prove itself. GM cotton became significant in China in 1997. Since then, 64 different varieties of cotton pest resistance has been grown on 3.7 million hectares. Up to 70% of the land normally used for conventional cotton is being used for GM cotton, according to Dr. Huang Jikun, the director of the Center for Chinese Agricultural Policy in Beijing.
How China’s move into genetically modified food crops will affect cotton acreage is still yet to be seen. With higher rice and soybean yields per acre planted, less cotton acreage may have to be sacrificed to grow enough food to support the booming population.
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