China has denied about 2,000 metric tons of U.S. dried distillers grains (DDG), and more rejections are expected in coming weeks as Beijing imposes strict checks over an unapproved genetically-modified (GMO) strain, traders said on December 26, 2013.
According to a Reuters report, the move follows the rejection of more than a half-million metric tons of U.S. corn when authorities detected the presence of MIR 162, a GMO variety developed by Syngenta AG but not approved for import by China’s agriculture ministry.
“The containers, which were sealed for a while, have been rejected at a port in Shanghai,” said one trader with a domestic trading house.
Quarantine authorities in Shanghai declined immediate comment.
According to the report, more rejections were likely after the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine (CIQ) issued a notice to local authorities asking them to step up checks for MIR 162 in DDG cargoes.
“Quarantine authorities at major ports have been notified and will be strict in testing,” said another trader, with a major state-owned trading house. “Before, authorities were just checking on selective shipments, but now all shipments will have to be tested and a large volume may be turned away.”
The U.S. has urged China to act promptly to approve the strain.
