China has ratified the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety, which regulates international trade in genetically modified organisms, the State Environmental Protection Administration has announced, according to the Xinhua news agency.
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The Cartagena protocol obliges exporters to give greater information to recipient nations about GM products. It also gives importers the power to reject GM imports or donations — even without scientific proof — if they might pose a danger to traditional crops and indigenous societies.
The Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety, a part of the Convention on Biological Diversity, became effective in September 2003 and has been ratified by 120 countries.
“The ratification of the protocol demonstrates China’s commitment to enhancing management on biosafety in line with international law,” said Wan Bentai, director of SEPA’s Natural Ecosystem Department.
He said the ratification will also promote the country’s legislation on the topic, strengthen its management of GM cross-border movement, improve GM labeling system and promote public involvement in biosafety.
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By GlobalData“China is drafting a law on GMO safety in order to better implement the protocol,” Wan said.
Despite that there has been much progress in GMO research since1980s, China still has many loopholes in its biosafety management, including ineffective supervision in the face of growing import of GMO products.
Wan said that the ratification of the protocol is also part of the country’s efforts to conserve biodiversity which is under serious threat.
