China approves two new U.S. GM soybean and corn crops

[File photo:AP]

Two types of genetically modified (GM) crops, developed by US companies, have been approved by the Chinese authorities.

They include Dow AgroSciences'Enlist corn and Monsanto's Vistive Gold soybean. Both have a tolerance to herbicides.

Under China's Ministry of Agriculture's 100-day initiative, the evaluation of 8 American GM crop strains has been speeded up. They include applications for the approval of 2 soybean and 4 corn strains.

Last year, China imported more than 80 million tonnes of soybeans, mostly from Brazil and the U.S.. 

China is the biggest export market for US agricultural products, valued at more than US$21 billion in 2016.