|
Genetically
modified crops get mixed response in Asia
MANILA- With food prices hitting
record highs the jury is still out in Asia as to whether genetically
modified crops hold the key to future food security.
The Philippine government has openly embraced the commercial
growing of genetically modified (GM) corn, but neighbouring
countries appear less than enthusiastic.
“There has been a lot of talk about developing high-yielding
crops and crops that can cope with climate change using GM
seeds,” said Daniel Ocampo, a genetic engineering campaigner
with the environmental group Greenpeace.
But, he said, the technology was still a long way from “addressing
these needs.”
Even so this has not stopped the Philippines from subsidising
the production of GM corn.
“This is despite the fact that GM corn and some conventional
varieties have the same yield potentials,” Ocampo said.
While Japan does not grow GM crops due to safety concerns
among consumers it does import GM grains for use in making
products such as cooking oil, animal feed and manufactured
goods.
Japanese companies have been reluctant to test the market
for consumer-ready GM food because of labelling requirements
and public safety worries.
While Japan does not ban GM farming, strict regulation has
discouraged corporate investment in the area.
But with rising food prices causing increasing concern in
a country that imports more than half of what it eats, the
government has said that GM crops may be a way to ease food
security and environmental problems.
“Because of strong public concern about consuming genetically
modified food, it does not make business sense for Japanese
firms to farm genetically modified plants commercially,”
a Japanese farm ministry official said.
“However, given the expansion in the cultivation of GM
products abroad and rising demand for food, we are reviewing
ways to have the option of commercial farming in the future,”
he said.
In South Korea a law which came into effect on January 1 this
year imposed strict rules on the import of GM seeds.
While there are domestic GM seed programmes for experimental
purposes none are for commercial use, an agriculture ministry
official said on condition of anonymity.
“So far all imported GM seeds have been processed immediately
after being cleared through customs,” the official said.
“There have been no cases of imported or home-grown GM
seeds being used for commercial cultivation here and we are
not considering easing our rules despite price hikes,”
he added.
In Bangkok the regional headquarters for the United Nation’s
Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) said it had not seen
any signs that governments in Asia were pushing for genetically-modified
seeds.
“With modern agricultural technology countries should
be able to produce enough food without genetically-modified
seeds,” said He Changchui, the FAO’s regional representative
for Asia.
“You don’t need them. Just try to supply good fertiliser
and good water,” he said.
In China the State Council, or cabinet, issued detailed rules
in 2001 covering safety, labelling, licensing for production
and sales, and import safety policies of all GM products.
Xie Yang of the Development Research Centre, a major think
tank under the State Council, said: “No genetically modified
grain, including seeds, is allowed for edible consumption
in China.
“Genetically modified products are allowed for indirect
uses, such as making edible oil, but it must be labelled clearly.”
There is successful research in China, but no commercial application
yet, he said, adding: “It is said that there are breakthroughs
in the research of (genetically modified) rice and corn. But
none is allowed on to the market.”
According to Greenpeace’s Ocampo the Philippines is the
first country in Southeast Asia, and possibly all Asia, to
have a commercial GM food crop.
“The government would say it is because the Philippines
should not be late in embracing a technology that promises
to help increase the income of farmers and provide higher
yields.
“But the fact is the Philippines is so close to the US
that whatever policies the US have regarding GM crops we (Philippines)
usually follow suit.” (AFP)
|
