China says it will set a grace period for trade in genetically modified soybeans

Introduction: Chinese trade chief negotiator long Yongtu said on Wednesday that Beijing officials will tend to provide a certain grace period for the import of genetically modified food to get rid of the restrictions imposed by the strict regulations promulgated by China, while Chinese authorities are carefully setting the tone for the detailed rules The slow development and implementation of the new rules should not be an obstacle to trade, long told reporters after a press conference in Beijing When asked if there should be a transition period when Beijing is working out detailed rules, long Yongtu said, "I think it should be so." "We need time to work out the rules Until the end of the day, we will be able to ensure that this regulation will not become an obstacle to trade " This is what long Yongtu, Vice Minister of the Ministry of foreign trade and economic cooperation of China, said The Chinese government announced regulations on genetically modified plants on June 6th, but did not release specific rules This has puzzled many domestic and foreign traders, especially those engaged in soybean trade Soybean is a kind of product with large import volume in China Traders said that the grain market has always hoped that China will allow importers and exporters to get rid of the strict restrictions of the regulations and give them a certain period of transition before the introduction of the detailed rules of the genetically modified regulations Traders and analysts in China cheered Mr Long's explanation, saying that Mr Long's comments have partially lifted the cloud that has gripped the soybean market since early June "We think it's a good omen, we're happy to hear that judgment, and we hope that the issue will become clearer." A foreign ambassador to Beijing said But other traders want more details "We still need a clear time frame from the authorities so that we can sign further orders accordingly," said a trader at an international grain trading company in Beijing "Without a time frame, our soybean trade is like sitting on a volcano, which is in danger of eruption at any time." Long said the rules would be more cautious "We are very careful, very careful, to formulate regulations to ensure that the specific contents of the detailed rules are consistent with the relevant rules of the WTO." "It's not just a problem facing China, many WTO members are concerned and cautious about it," longyongtu said It is expected that China will join the World Trade Organization at the latest in early 2002, which will eventually lead to a large number of grain imports due to the reduction of tariffs Some traders believe that China will rely on new regulations to control imports after joining the WTO This week, leading U.S soybean industry officials will discuss new GM regulations with Chinese officials China is a major importer of soybeans in the United States Bart Ruth, President of the American Soybean Association, and Doug Magnus, chairman of the joint soybean Committee, plan to meet with Chinese officials in Beijing and Shanghai "It's very hopeful that both sides will make a formal statement this week In this way, China can sign the bill, and soybeans can be used up soon This is what an ambassador from the West said Beijing's new regulations require all genetically modified food to be produced, sold and imported with the approval of government departments The new regulations require safety certification - that all genetically modified products are harmless to humans, animals and the environment and are properly labeled However, due to the delay of the detailed rules, there are few inquiries and orders for soybeans, because dealers are worried that once the regulations are implemented, it will be difficult for soybeans to be shipped through strict quarantine procedures Soybean imports were more active before the regulations In the first six months of this year, China's soybean imports increased by 69.2% year-on-year, reaching a total of 5.97 million tons According to customs data, three quarters of the soybean imports came from the United States According to the data released by the US Department of agriculture, 68% of us soybeans are genetically modified products (author:) share to feed Weibo share to: