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GMO products await import rules
( 2002-03-08 23:56 ) (1 )

China is drawing up an interim measure to ensure a smooth process for imports of genetically modified organism (GMO) products, according to an announcement from the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Co-operation (MOFTEC).

Zhang Xiaoping, an official with the Beijing office of the American Soybean Association, said a bulletin explaining the temporary measures is widely expected to come out before the Chinese regulations on GMO products take effect on March 20.

It is expected to include detailed procedures in applying for safety certificates, market access and labelling.

Last June, China established rules to strengthen the safety and management of GMO products, which sparked cries of alarm among US exporters of GMO products such as soybeans, corn and cotton.

They complained that the rule lacked practical details and created unnecessary uncertainties for US exports of soybeans, corn and cotton to China.

The Ministry of Agriculture's later announcement that the rule did not apply to import contracts signed before June 6 has virtually turned it into empty words.

China continued to import large amounts of GMO products last year, steering clear of the rule by using contracts made to appear as if they had been signed before June 6.

But Zhang said the rule had disrupted normal trade as US soybean traders were confronted with minor problems of quarantine and licences from time to time.

"China imported no soybeans from the United States last October. That's very abnormal,'' he told China Daily in a telephone interview.

China supplemented the rule with more detailed ones in early January, which will take effect on March 20.

But US traders still complained that the rules are not explicit and practical, and demanded specifications and explanations from Chinese authorities.

"We're not clear what we can do to get the safety certificates. The rules need to be more transparent on the point,'' said a Chinese importer of US soybeans, who requested anonymity.

Others complained that the rules have unnecessary limitations and impossible requirements.

US President George W. Bush raised the matter during his visit to China on February 21-22 and China promised to examine US concerns.

The MOFTEC's announcement came after a "positive and fruitful'' talk between China and the United States earlier this week on GMO products, said the statement.

The Chinese delegation was headed by Ma Xiuhong, vice-minister of MOFTEC. Delegations members are MOFTEC officials and those from the Ministry of Agriculture and the State General Administration for Quality Supervision and Inspection and Quarantine .

(China Daily by Meng Yan)