China\s Ministry of Agriculture has reportedly rejected a proposal to create special zones for the growing of non-genetically modified (GM) soybeans.
The ministry made the announcement on Tuesday, saying that it has rejected proposals made by lawmakers to designate separate special zones for the cultivation of non-GM soybeans. It added that China has yet authorized the planting of the genetically altered variety, making such proposals unnecessary, the Global Times reported.
Heilongjiang Province legislator Tan Zhijuan earlier called for the establishment of such zones during the two legislative sessions for 2016. Tan said that the establishment of such zones Tan argued that the move could help increase his province's soybean acreage back to its 2010 level of around 4.3 million hectares.
The legislator's proposal echoed that made by National Congress member Li Jichun and national advisory body member Sung Dongsheng back in 2012. the two said that the zones will help prevent any potential contamination to spread into non-GM soybean crops.
Fudan University biology professor Lu Baorong backed the position of the ministry, noting that as there is essentially no difference between the process of cultivating GM soybeans and that of the non-modified variant, setting aside a separate growing area for the latter is unnecessary.
China has earlier unveiled its plans to push for the commercial growing of GM soybeans in an effort to make its agriculture sector more efficient and boost crop growth. In its latest five-year science and technology plan, the government identified specific GM crops, including soybeans, to be further developed, the South China Morning Post reported.