Browse Data and Analysis

On May 7, 2025, China announced approvals for 11 new food materials and additives, three of which are products derived from genetically modified microorganisms.

On April 8, 2025, the People’s Republic of China (PRC) National Crop Variety Registration Committee (CNCVRC) published a third variety registration list for genetically modified (GM) corn and soybeans.

On December 31, 2024, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs (MARA) announced the issuance of new and renewed biosafety certificates for genetically engineered (GE) events.

On October 25, 2024 the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs (MARA) of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) published a National Smart Agriculture Action Plan (2024-2028) (hereafter “Action Plan”).

The People's Republic of China (PRC) continues to advance its agricultural biotechnology system for commercial cultivation of domestically-developed genetically engineered (GE) food and feed crops, specifically corn and soybeans.

Austria continues to be one of the leading forces in Europe opposed to the use of agricultural biotechnology. Anti-biotech NGOs, who have a strong influence on Austrian consumers, farmer organizations, the food-processing sector, and the retail sector all campaign against genetically engineered agricultural and food products.

On December 27, 2023, China issued Guidelines to Comprehensively Promote the Development of a “Beautiful China.” The guidelines propose several goals, tasks, and reforms for building a beautiful China between 2027 and 2035.

On October 11, 2024, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs (MARA) announced the issuance of new and renewed biosafety certificates for genetically engineered (GE) events.

On October 8, 2024, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs (MARA) announced the registration of 30 genetically engineered (GE) corn and soy varieties, including 27 GE corn varieties and three GE soybean varieties.

On September 13, 2024, China's National Center for Food Safety Risk Assessment (CFSA) released Requirements for Application Materials for Safety Evaluation of Genetically Modified Microorganisms Used in Food Processing (Trial), which allows genetically modified microorganisms (GMMs) derived products without residual of exogenous genes and GMMs to be used as new food raw materials and new varieties of food-related products in addition to food additives.

The National Standard Soil Environment Quality Risk Control Standard for Soil Contamination of Agricultural Land (Trial Edition) (GB15618-2018) was published jointly by the State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) and Ministry of Ecology and Environment of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) on June 22, 2018 and it entered into force on August 1, 2018.

The National Standard for Irrigation Water Quality (GB5084-2021) was published jointly by the State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) and Ministry of Ecology and Environment of the People’s Republic of China on January 20, 2021 and it entered into force on July 1, 2021.