New Chinese GMO Controls Threaten US Exports, Say House Lawmakers
Recent Chinese regulatory changes are threatening to block imports of U.S. alfalfa due to small traces of genetically modified organism traits, said a diverse, bipartisan group of House lawmakers in a Sept. 24 letter (here) to U.S. Trade Representative Michael…
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Froman. China has banned GMOs since 2001, but new policies launched in 2014 have led to testing for Low Level Presence (LLP) of GMO traits, said the lawmakers. “This change to destination testing happened without sufficient warning and threatens to shut out an unreasonably high percentage of the U.S. alfalfa crop, which has recently expanded to meet Chinese market demand,” said the lawmakers, which include Reps. Peter DeFazio, D-Ore., and Matt Salmon, R-Ariz. Runoff, bee pollination and other environmental factors make it difficult for alfalfa producers to prevent any traces of GMOs, the letter said. “Trading partners such as the European Union accept that a LLP of the product’s DNA showing GMO traits is considered a ‘technical zero,’” the lawmakers said. “China previously did as well, but recent testing changes have resulted in U.S. alfalfa with a technical zero percentage of GMO traits being rejected at a very great expense to U.S. exporters.” The lawmakers urged Froman to prioritize alfalfa trade in upcoming communications with China.