China has returned over 12.5 million tons of genetically modified (GM) U.S. corn and related products since the detection of MIR162, a genetically modified component not approved by China’s Ministry of Agriculture. The issue first came to light in October 2013 when Shenzhen port authorities identified the unapproved GM material in an imported shipment from the United States. Since then, Chinese customs and inspection agencies have been required to return or destroy any imports containing MIR162.
As of June 16 this year, entry-exit inspection and quarantine agencies had handled over 1.255 million cases involving genetically modified materials. According to the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine (AQSIQ), in less than a year, more than 12.25 million tons of U.S. corn and its derivatives were found to contain MIR162 and were returned for processing. This has significantly impacted China's corn imports.
In the last two months of 2013 alone, AQSIQ returned three shipments totaling over 720,000 tons of U.S. corn. These returns accounted for 22.1% of China’s total corn imports that year, which reached 3.265 million tons. The volume of returned shipments increased dramatically, from 60,000 tons in 2012 to 546,000 tons in 2013, placing greater pressure on port inspection agencies.
The MIR162 gene, developed by Swiss agribusiness Syngenta, is known for its insect-resistant properties. It has been approved for cultivation in the U.S., Canada, Brazil, and Argentina, and is also permitted for import in Japan, South Korea, and the European Union. However, China has maintained a cautious stance on genetically modified crops, requiring thorough safety assessments before approval.
Syngenta first submitted its application for the import of MIR162 corn in March 2010. More than four years later, in December 2013, the Ministry of Agriculture confirmed that the safety certificate for the genetically modified material was still under review. Officials cited incomplete documentation and experimental data as reasons for the delay, requesting additional information from the company.
According to China’s “Regulations on the Administration of Imports of Agricultural Genetically Modified Organisms,†the Ministry should have made a decision within 270 days of receiving the application. That would mean Syngenta was expected to receive a response in July or August 2014.
Despite the regulatory hurdles, China continues to rely heavily on U.S. corn imports due to domestic supply shortages. In 2012, corn production surpassed rice for the first time, becoming China’s largest food crop. However, demand remains high, and imports remain a necessary part of the market.
While China does not outright reject genetically modified corn, it insists on strict safety reviews. Analysts suggest that the approval of MIR162 will depend not only on scientific assessments but also on broader trade considerations, including price differences and international relations.
To reduce dependence on a single supplier, China has started diversifying its corn import sources. In 2013, Argentina and Ukraine joined the list of major corn exporters to China, alongside the U.S., Laos, and Myanmar. Recently, China signed an agreement with Brazil to import Brazilian corn, which is the world’s second-largest maize exporter. The Brazilian government estimates that China could eventually import up to 10 million tons annually, signaling a shift away from U.S. dominance in the corn import market.
This move reflects a broader strategy to ensure food security while maintaining flexibility in global trade. As China continues to balance its agricultural needs with regulatory caution, the future of genetically modified corn imports remains an ongoing discussion.
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