Biotech Updates

China Advocates Use of New Technologies in Agriculture

January 29, 2010

China is strengthening its use of new technologies, particularly plant and animal biotechnology, to modernize its agriculture. A report of the US Department of Agricultural Service discusses how China has "emerged as a pivotal force" in using biotech applications that provide a range of benefits to farmers, producers, and consumers.

The report says China maintains a vibrant plant biotechnology research community primarily at the public university level using central and provincial government funding. The country has already reviewed the safety and approved over 200 varieties of 8 types of the following crops: cotton, corn, rice, petunia, sweet peppers, papaya, tomato, and poplar. In addition, there are a number of advanced trials currently being done. Rice is the crop undergoing the most research.

For the full report visit http://gain.fas.usda.gov/Recent%20GAIN%20publications/China%20Moves%20Forward%20in%20New%20Technologies_Beijing_China%20-%20Peoples%20Republic%20of_1-14-2010.pdf