Ministry of Agriculture: genetically modified soybeans import more than 80 million tons of pressed oil

Original title: most of the soybeans imported by China last year were genetically modified by the Ministry of Agriculture to respond to their uses.

The Ministry of Agriculture held a special conference on genetically modified genes for the first time (online photo: photo by Zhang Shaolei, finance and economics of China.com)

China imported 81.69 million tons of soybeans last year, most of which were genetically modified. As for its use, Liao Xiyuan, director of the Science, Technology and Education Department of the Ministry of Agriculture, said today (13) that at present, China's imported soybeans are mainly used in two aspects: one is feed soybean meal, the other is edible soybean oil.

The Information Office of the Ministry of Agriculture held a press conference today to introduce the situation of agricultural transgene and answer questions raised by reporters.

Last year, China imported 81.69 million tons of soybeans, most of them genetically modified, according to public information from the Ministry of Agriculture. At the press conference, the reporter asked why the import volume was so large, what was the use of these soybeans, and how the safety assessment was carried out if they were used as soybean meal or edible.

Liao Xiyuan said that with economic development and the improvement of people's living standards, China's demand for soybeans is increasing. At present, China's imported soybeans are mainly used in two aspects: one is feed soybean meal, and the other is edible soybean oil. Take edible soybean oil as an example, under the background of the substantial increase in edible oil for more than a billion people, it is necessary and inevitable to import soybeans.

Liao Xiyuan said that the import of GM soybeans is determined by world soybean production and trade. In 2014, the global soybean acreage was "1.65 billion mu", of which GM soybeans were "1.36 billion mu", accounting for about 82%. China's total imports account for 70% of world trade, but only 30% of world production. In other words, most GM soybeans are still consumed abroad.

Liao Xiyuan said that genetically modified soybeans are safe. After safety examination and approval at home and abroad, China's import safety approval is more stringent, the approval decision is more prudent, and various known uses have been fully taken into account in the safety evaluation process.

Liao Xiyuan said that when applying for China's import safety certificate, four pre-conditions must be met:

-- the exporting country or region has been allowed to use it for corresponding purposes and put it on the market.

-- the exporting country or region has been proved to be harmless to human beings, animals and plants, microorganisms and the ecological environment through scientific experiments.

-- after testing by agricultural transgenic biotechnology inspection institutions recognized by China, it has been confirmed that there are no risks to human beings, animals, microorganisms and the ecological environment.

There are corresponding safety control measures for use. after the import safety certificate is approved, it is up to the market to decide whether to import or not and how much to import. (according to Chinanews.com, April 13)