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March 10, 2000
AgWeb.com
China considering GMO labeling bill
While China has shown an interest in the use of genetically modified
(GM)
soybean seed for its own crop, the U.S. ag attache in the country says
China's
legislature is considering a bill to label foods that contain GMOs.
"The government is under considerable pressure to provide protection
for
domestic producers," said the attache. He added that the Chinese
health and
environmental officials have expressed concerns, and are currently working
with the U.S. government to learn more about U.S. methods for testing
and
approving GMOs.
The attache says, however, the country will not likely put strict
restrictions on
GMOs because they might inadvertently hamper their own GM crops. The attache
said that "a considerable amount of GMO cotton is already being produced
in
China. Cottonseed meal from this GMO cotton is routinely used in animal
feed.
China is also reportedly developing genetically modified corn, tomatoes,
pimentos and other crops."
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