Recently, the first large-scale import of genetically modified corn in 14 years has caused widespread market attention. For a time, the issue of agricultural production and food safety caused by the import of genetically modified foods has once again become a hot topic.
At the end of July, the "Maria", a Cyprus cargo ship loaded with 61,000 tons of GM corn in the United States, arrived in Shenzhen and docked at Shenzhen Merchants Harbor, Shekou. It is understood that this quantity is close to the entire domestic corn imports in June, and is more than ten times the corn imports in May.
As a large grain country, China's corn has always been self-sufficient, and it has rarely been imported for more than 10 years. However, this equilibrium has been broken. It is reported that from July to September of this year there will be more than 300,000 tons of US corn from Shenzhen Shekou Port.
Zheng Fengtian, professor of the School of Agriculture and Rural Development at Renmin University of China, told the reporter. “As China's corn-producing areas experienced reduced production, and domestic corn prices have risen this year, international corn prices have been low, which has attracted domestic companies to order the United States. Maize, causing a surge in imports."
“The price of imported corn is low. At the end of July, the domestic corn price reached 1900 yuan/ton, 20% more than that of the same period of last year.†Ma Wenfeng, an analyst at Beijing Oriental AIG Agricultural Consulting Co., pointed out that COFCO, as a company with deep processing, imports foreign genetically modified corn It is fancy that the price of the international market is $25/ton lower than the domestic market.
Under the banner of low prices, GM corn knocked open the door to the Chinese market. However, in the eyes of the industry, there are many "risks" associated with the large number of genetically modified corn entering China.
Prof. Gu Xiulin of the Social and Economic Behavior Research Center of Yunnan University of Finance and Economics, who has been engaged in agricultural research for many years, told the "China Sankei Shimbun" reporter that despite the rapid development of global transgenic technology, there is still uncertainty surrounding the safety of genetically modified crops. . Independent European studies have revealed that infertility, organ failure, and decreased immunity are all related to genetically modified foods.
"Because I don't know what type of GM corn this is, I don't think it's a good idea. However, when I experimented in the past, I discovered that there are two kinds of genetically modified corn that are harmful to animals and they all come from the United States," Gu Xiulin pointed out.
On July 31, the relevant person in charge of the National Development and Reform Commission said, “China attaches great importance to the safety of genetically modified foods. Currently, corn imported by enterprises is used for feeds and 'no safety problems'.†But the director of the Greenpeace Food and Agriculture Project Team Luo Yuannan still has concerns about this. “After all, there is currently no evidence to prove whether humans will harm animal meat products after eating them.â€
In fact, the dramatic increase in imports of genetically modified corn has brought more than just food safety issues. What worries the industry is the question of the safety of China's corn industry and whether corn will repeat the same mistakes.
Before 1995, China had been a net exporter of soybeans. In 2004, low-priced imported soybeans began ramping up in the domestic market. Many domestic-owned soybean oil crushing companies were in trouble, and then the four major grain companies took the opportunity to purchase at low prices and participate in a number of edible oil crushing companies. The Chinese soybean market was therefore subject to foreign capital. From self-sufficiency to liberalization of imports, it eventually lost its right to speak in the market. This is the path of "depression" of Chinese soybeans.
It seems to be turning corn again. Analysts pointed out that the U.S. has continued its strategy of exporting corn to China in the same way as soybean exports. On the other hand, U.S. companies gradually control corn supply channels through a large number of controlling and participating Chinese corn processing companies. .
"How to avoid the corn from repeating the mistakes of soybeans is the most important issue at the moment." Zheng Fengtian told reporters that although the total supply and demand of corn in China is basically balanced, and the country's corn stocks, there is no problem in guaranteeing market supply from the total amount. However, compared with corn in the United States, Mexico and other places, China's corn does not account for cost advantage. "China has now opened the gate for corn imports from the United States. If companies are allowed to import, they will not rule out the possible collapse of the corn industry."
“The ceiling and conditions for corn imports should be set. For example, when domestic prices rise, companies can import. If domestic prices are already relatively stable, they are still importing low-priced genetically modified corn, which will add to the frost and ultimately endanger it. Industrial security.†Zheng Fengtian believes that the use of internationally cheap corn to stabilize domestic price fluctuations is one of the important measures for maintaining food security. However, in this process, we must take a good grasp of how to protect our food security and take into account the vital interests of domestic farmers. This must be considered by relevant departments.
At the end of July, the "Maria", a Cyprus cargo ship loaded with 61,000 tons of GM corn in the United States, arrived in Shenzhen and docked at Shenzhen Merchants Harbor, Shekou. It is understood that this quantity is close to the entire domestic corn imports in June, and is more than ten times the corn imports in May.
As a large grain country, China's corn has always been self-sufficient, and it has rarely been imported for more than 10 years. However, this equilibrium has been broken. It is reported that from July to September of this year there will be more than 300,000 tons of US corn from Shenzhen Shekou Port.
Zheng Fengtian, professor of the School of Agriculture and Rural Development at Renmin University of China, told the reporter. “As China's corn-producing areas experienced reduced production, and domestic corn prices have risen this year, international corn prices have been low, which has attracted domestic companies to order the United States. Maize, causing a surge in imports."
“The price of imported corn is low. At the end of July, the domestic corn price reached 1900 yuan/ton, 20% more than that of the same period of last year.†Ma Wenfeng, an analyst at Beijing Oriental AIG Agricultural Consulting Co., pointed out that COFCO, as a company with deep processing, imports foreign genetically modified corn It is fancy that the price of the international market is $25/ton lower than the domestic market.
Under the banner of low prices, GM corn knocked open the door to the Chinese market. However, in the eyes of the industry, there are many "risks" associated with the large number of genetically modified corn entering China.
Prof. Gu Xiulin of the Social and Economic Behavior Research Center of Yunnan University of Finance and Economics, who has been engaged in agricultural research for many years, told the "China Sankei Shimbun" reporter that despite the rapid development of global transgenic technology, there is still uncertainty surrounding the safety of genetically modified crops. . Independent European studies have revealed that infertility, organ failure, and decreased immunity are all related to genetically modified foods.
"Because I don't know what type of GM corn this is, I don't think it's a good idea. However, when I experimented in the past, I discovered that there are two kinds of genetically modified corn that are harmful to animals and they all come from the United States," Gu Xiulin pointed out.
On July 31, the relevant person in charge of the National Development and Reform Commission said, “China attaches great importance to the safety of genetically modified foods. Currently, corn imported by enterprises is used for feeds and 'no safety problems'.†But the director of the Greenpeace Food and Agriculture Project Team Luo Yuannan still has concerns about this. “After all, there is currently no evidence to prove whether humans will harm animal meat products after eating them.â€
In fact, the dramatic increase in imports of genetically modified corn has brought more than just food safety issues. What worries the industry is the question of the safety of China's corn industry and whether corn will repeat the same mistakes.
Before 1995, China had been a net exporter of soybeans. In 2004, low-priced imported soybeans began ramping up in the domestic market. Many domestic-owned soybean oil crushing companies were in trouble, and then the four major grain companies took the opportunity to purchase at low prices and participate in a number of edible oil crushing companies. The Chinese soybean market was therefore subject to foreign capital. From self-sufficiency to liberalization of imports, it eventually lost its right to speak in the market. This is the path of "depression" of Chinese soybeans.
It seems to be turning corn again. Analysts pointed out that the U.S. has continued its strategy of exporting corn to China in the same way as soybean exports. On the other hand, U.S. companies gradually control corn supply channels through a large number of controlling and participating Chinese corn processing companies. .
"How to avoid the corn from repeating the mistakes of soybeans is the most important issue at the moment." Zheng Fengtian told reporters that although the total supply and demand of corn in China is basically balanced, and the country's corn stocks, there is no problem in guaranteeing market supply from the total amount. However, compared with corn in the United States, Mexico and other places, China's corn does not account for cost advantage. "China has now opened the gate for corn imports from the United States. If companies are allowed to import, they will not rule out the possible collapse of the corn industry."
“The ceiling and conditions for corn imports should be set. For example, when domestic prices rise, companies can import. If domestic prices are already relatively stable, they are still importing low-priced genetically modified corn, which will add to the frost and ultimately endanger it. Industrial security.†Zheng Fengtian believes that the use of internationally cheap corn to stabilize domestic price fluctuations is one of the important measures for maintaining food security. However, in this process, we must take a good grasp of how to protect our food security and take into account the vital interests of domestic farmers. This must be considered by relevant departments.