Home / Business and Economy / China Rejects Indian Rice: GMO Scare or Trade Tactic?
China Rejects Indian Rice: GMO Scare or Trade Tactic?
25 Mar
Summary
- China rejected Indian rice citing GMO contamination concerns.
- India does not grow GM food crops, and GM food imports are banned.
- Experts suspect China's rejection may be a geopolitical bargaining tactic.
Exporters and experts have expressed surprise following China's rejection of Indian rice due to alleged genetically modified organism (GMO) contamination. This development is puzzling given that India does not grow any GM food crops and a Supreme Court order bans the manufacture, sale, and import of GM foods. Although the Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC) allowed the release of a GM mustard hybrid, its commercial release was stayed by the Supreme Court.
India's food safety regulator, FSSAI, has yet to notify regulations for GM foods, and the Rajasthan High Court has previously banned GM food imports until regulatory standards are established. While the volume of rice exported to China is not significant, the rejection, occurring after China reopened its market to Indian rice in 2020-21, is unexpected. Experts suggest this action might be a strategic move amid geopolitical tensions, especially after India became the world's largest rice producer.
Past rice exports to China were limited due to non-tariff barriers, with a slight increase in recent years. However, the current year's first 10-month import volume already surpasses the entire previous fiscal year, potentially prompting China to halt further imports. Officials confirm that no GM rice varieties are recommended for cultivation in India, adding to the mystery surrounding China's claims.
