field soybeans

China moves closer to commercial planting of GMO crops

Numerous corn and soybean varieties approved by regulator in recent ruling

Reading Time: < 1 minute China has approved 37 genetically modified corn seed varieties and 14 GM soybean varieties, taking it close to commercial planting. The varieties approved by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs in a recent notice include corn varieties owned by Yuan Longping High-tech Agriculture Co., Syngenta and Dabeinong. China is the world’s top buyer of soybeans and corn, importing […] Read more

"All farmers need to know if
their seed was developed using
gene editing or not so they can
pass that information along.”

The trade take on CFIA’s gene-editing decision

Canada joins many countries friendly to GE crops, but some regions and organic markets will continue to opt out

Reading Time: 3 minutes When it comes to grain trade, systems that provide transparency and choice for customers will likely continue to be important as more gene-edited crops hit the market. “We’re working proactively on some of these approaches,” said Krista Zuzak, director of crop protection and production with Cereals Canada. On May 3, federal Agriculture Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau […] Read more


Corn in progress just east of Blumenort, Man. on July 20, 2022. (Dave Bedard photo)

After growing GM corn for decades, some U.S. farmers open to Mexican restrictions

Biden administration seeks to challenge ban

Chicago | Reuters — Mexico has found unexpected allies as it tries to limit imports of genetically modified (GM) corn: some U.S. farmers who grow the crops. Farmers have for decades planted GM corn, which protects against insects and herbicides, with seeds sold by companies such as Bayer, Corteva and ChemChina’s Syngenta. But as believers […] Read more

Corn in progress just east of Blumenort, Man. on July 20, 2022. (Dave Bedard photo)

Canada reported seeking formal talks with Mexico on GMO rule

U.S. already seeking similar talks

Ottawa | Reuters — Canada has asked for formal consultations with Mexico over its restrictions on genetically modified (GM) agricultural imports under the North American free-trade agreement, Bloomberg News reported Wednesday, citing people familiar with the matter. Canada requested the talks on Tuesday, according to Bloomberg, a day after the U.S. requested formal trade consultations […] Read more


Around 20 per cent of Mexico’s corn imports from the U.S. are white corn, used to make food products such as tortillas. (Bhofack2/iStock/Getty Images)

U.S. demands formal trade talks with Mexico over GMO corn dispute

U.S. says new rules a breach of CUSMA

Chicago/Washington | Reuters — The United States requested formal trade consultations with Mexico on Monday over U.S. objections to its southern neighbour’s plans to limit imports of genetically modified corn and other agricultural biotechnology products. The U.S. Trade Representative’s office announced the request for technical talks after months of informal discussions with Mexican officials over […] Read more

File photo of a cornfield in Mexico. (Roberto Cabrera/iStock/Getty Images)

Mexico opens door for GM corn in feed, industrial uses

U.S. 'disappointed' in Mexico's new decree

Mexico City | Reuters — Mexico on Monday scrapped a deadline to ban genetically modified corn for animal feed and industrial use amid trade tensions with the United States — but retained plans to prohibit use of the GM grain for human consumption, as well as the herbicide glyphosate. The move, approved in a government […] Read more


(Xinzheng/Getty Images)

China to plant more soy, speed up GMOs to ensure food supply

Beijing reiterates goals to increase soy acres, intercrop with corn

Beijing | Reuters — China will increase its efforts to boost output of soybeans and edible oils, state media reported on Monday, citing a key rural policy document, as it continues to push for greater self-sufficiency in its key food supplies. The world’s top soybean buyer is trying to lower its heavy reliance on imports […] Read more

Corn in progress just east of Blumenort, Man. on July 20, 2022. (Dave Bedard photo)

Mexico open to deal with U.S. on GMO corn

U.S. corn growers seek clarity over ban

Mexico City | Reuters — Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador said on Tuesday he is seeking a deal with Washington after the United States threatened legal action over Mexico’s plan to ban genetically modified (GMO) corn in 2024. After meeting with Mexican officials on Monday, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack said Mexico’s decree […] Read more


Photo: iStock

Argentina’s Bioceres says GMO wheat gets OK from U.S. FDA

London/Chicago | Reuters – The U.S. Food and Drug Administration concluded a review of Argentine biotechnology firm Bioceres’ BIOX.BA genetically modified (GMO) wheat without further questions, a “key step” to commercializing it in the United States, the company said on Monday. While corn and soy crops used predominantly to feed livestock are commonly planted with […] Read more