While Mexico says that it’s waiting on U.S. proof that genetically modified corn is safe for Mexicans, China has approved the safety of a different gene-edited grain: wheat.
The move forward is the first for Beijing, according to Reuters.
“China has approved the safety of gene-edited wheat for the first time as Beijing cautiously moves forward with commercial growing of genetically modified food crops,” Reuters wrote Wednesday.
China is currently the world’s largest wheat producer and consumer. In the past year, Reuters says that the country has begun moving toward approving even more genetically modified crops, such as corn and soybean seeds.
In January, China’s agriculture ministry approved another six varieties of genetically engineered corn, two soybeans, one cotton, and two gene-edited varieties of soybeans, according to the ministry’s website.
Although the move aims to improve food security, the uptake is slower than some had hoped for.
Bloomberg’s Hallie Gu reported in January that “soybean shipments to China climbed 11 percent last year to 99.41 million tons, almost matching the all-time high in 2020, customs data showed this month. Any big jump in the local crop that finds its way into commercial crushing could significantly cut the country’s buying on the global market.”
China is one of the world’s largest agricultural producers and consumers, so its stance on GM crops can influence global markets and policies. As the largest exporter of U.S. agricultural products, the inclusion of more GM-edited crops could have an impact on
Additionally, this move reflects a shift in China’s approach to biotechnology, potentially indicating increased acceptance of GM technology for addressing agricultural challenges such as pests, diseases, and climate change amid growing population pressures and changing dietary preferences.
»Related: Farm group advocates for more non-GM corn in U.S.-Mexico dispute
