Posted September 4, 2014
China’s quarantine authorities have stopped shipments of U.S. alfalfa due to the presence of genetically modified organism (GMO) traits, according to a Hay and Forage article by Jeff Holmquist available here. Reuters also published an article available here.
A year ago, alfalfa was rejected for export from a Washington state farmer after it tested positive for a GMO trait that should not have been present.
Chinese feed mills have been purchasing U.S. sorghum as a cheap substitute for corn and is the world’s largest U.S. sorghum importer, according to Reuters.
“There are worries in the market, which should reduce imports of sorghum in later months,” said Zhang Yan, an analyst at Shanghai JC Intelligence Co. Ltd (JCI).
There are concerns that the current 5 percent GMO threshold is no longer acceptable and may be released to 0.2 percent, according to Hay and Forage.
However, the new standard may not be realistic for China or U.S. exporters.
“The Chinesewant to have a certain confidence of the hay being GMO-free,” says Harry Kreeft, plant pathologist and nematologist at Western Laboratories. “You can make tests as sensitive as you want, but you have to be realistic. Plus the Chinese also know they need the hay.”
China’s quarantine authority has asked ports to increase screening standards of alfalfa imports, according to Reuters.
For more information on international trade, please visit the National Agricultural Law Center’s website here.
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