China Imports Two Genetically Modified (GM) Corn Varieties from Bayer AG and Syngenta AG

According to Co Bank Reports,Feed costs have been relatively be high since 2012, helping the beef, pork and poultry sectors to expand more from 2014 to 2019 than in any five year period in the industry’s history.In the coming year, U.S. livestock and poultry producers will face more feed cost inflation than they have in over a decade, challenging their ability to recover after a difficult and volatile 2020.

China is rebuilding its pork supply after African Swine Flu decimated its hog herd, leading to a surge in U.S. grain exports and prices. La Nina also threatens grain and oilseed crop prospects in South America and Eastern Europe. Average producer margins for cattle, hogs and broilers fell into negative territory in 2020 after the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted foodservice demand and drove widespread meat plant slowdowns and shutdowns.

Hopes for a substantial rebound in profitability for meat and poultry producers and processors in 2021 will be difficult to come by with corn and soybean meal prices at multi-year highs.

Due to this Surge in Animal feed China has gone ahead and approved two genetically modified corn varieties from Bayer AG and Syngenta AG for imports as demand for animal feed surges. The above strains are  MON87411 and MZIR098, which are resistant to insects and tolerant of herbicides, are approved for imports for five years starting December 2020, according to a list from the agriculture ministry on Monday reported by Agro Pages.The domestic hog population is all set to rebound

The latest approvals are notable as China’s corn imports have jumped to a record because the domestic hog population is rebounding faster than expected from African swine fever. That’s jolted the government into action, including resuming state corn sales and pledging to expand domestic crop production.

Much of the Corn and Soya bean in US, Argentina and Brazil are Genetically modified. Use of GMO are still debatede world over. There are concerns over the health and environmental impact. The Imports which China allows are only for processing and not as  seeds.

The ministry is set to approve a GMO corn and soy variety developed by local company Beijing Deveining following public feedback, according to its list on Monday. The crops will be planted in the country’s north and are in addition to a corn strain approved last year.

China's Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs has approved two genetically modified (GM) corn varieties from Bayer AG and Syngenta AG for importation. The two varieties, herbicide tolerant and insect resistant MON87411 and MZIR098 are approved for imports for five years starting December 2020, according to a list published on the Ministry website.

The approvals are said to come at a time when there is a surge in demand for animal feed. China's corn imports have reached a record as the domestic hog population is rebounding fast from African swine fever.

Two domestically produced corn and soybean GMOs also are being considered for approval. Both are produced by local company Beijing Dabeinong Technology Group Co Ltd.

The crops will be planted in the country’s north and are in addition to a corn strain approved last year.