Genetically modified rice is rampant in China

Chinese officials acknowledge that the transgenic rice has been hedged from experimental fields, illegally on the market for many years.

The announcement is sparking fierce debate around the sensitive issue of food security planning in the world's most populous country.

Proponents of transgenic rice claim that this type is more tolerant of drought, higher productivity and a significant reduction in pesticide use.

According to AFP , since 2009, two genetically modified rice varieties are allowed by China to grow in the field but not to market. In January of this year, the Ministry of Agriculture said: "No genetically modified cereals have been grown outside the trial area in China ."

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But in April, an Environmental Ministry official told Nanfang Zhoumo that the investigation between four government agencies showed: "Illegal genetically modified seeds are present in many provinces under management." least".

On the website of the European Union's Warning System for Food and Feed said that in Chinese-made foods, they have 115 times detected genetically modified rice, in the 2006 to month period. 5 years now.

Last year Greenpeace said that genetically modified rice varieties have been available in China since 2005, sold in many markets in the provinces of Hubei, Hunan and Jiangxi.

China has allowed the cultivation of many genetically modified plants, such as pepper, tomatoes and papaya. It also allows the import of soybeans and genetically modified corn. However, rice is another story, very sensitive because this is the key food of 1.3 billion Chinese people.

According to Tong Pingya, a famous Chinese agronomist: " China does not need to develop genetically modified rice, because the country's agriculture has met the demand for rice and even exported ."

Last year, in the National People's Congress (Congress), about 100 researchers sent letters to delegates asking not to use genetically modified grains. They also demanded an open debate and demanded that genetically modified products be clearly labeled.