The rejection comes despite prior-shipment certification by a Chinese agency and India not growing any GM food crop
China has turned away three shipments of Indian rice alleging the presence of genetically modified organisms (GMO) in what appears to be a calculated attempt to gain leverage in trade talks. The rejection comes despite the fact that the non-basmati rice consignments were tested and cleared by a Chinese agency before the shipments.
Furthermore, India has yet to permit the commercial cultivation of any GM food crops, with cotton remaining the only genetically modified one authorised in the country. The affected companies have taken up the matter with India’s agri-export promotion body, APEDA, as well as the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), according to industry sources.
In its representation to ICAR, Nagpur-based Shriram Food Industry said that Chinese buyers and authorities are demanding an official declaration confirming that rice grown in India is non-GMO, even though only non-GMO paddy is cultivated nationwide. The company has requested that ICAR issue a general statement or declaration confirming this status.
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