context: Another round of supportive policies was initiated to revitalise the domestic seed industry. Stressing biotechnology, regulators released positive signals for the commercialisation of GM crops, which have seen relaxed regulations since 2019. Forerunners are waiting for opportunities to leverage their R&D capacity in GM crop breeding.
Passed at the meeting of CCDRC (Central Comprehensively Deepening Reforms Commission) on 9 Jul 2021, the seed industry revitalisation plan calls for a stronger domestic seed sector, and stresses
- strengthening germplasm resources protection and boosting seed R&D
- pushing breeding R&D forward with a particular focus on biotechs
- continuing the germplasm census
- supporting seed companies and commercial breeding
- enhancing seed IP protection
- bridging gaps between private companies and research institutions
- accelerating the construction of the Nanfan breeding base
Enhancing seed IP protection as an essential part of seed industry revitalisation has already been in progress. A seed IP protection campaign was launched by MARA (Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs) on 2 July, to create a fair environment for seed innovations by
- amending the Seed Law and the 'New plant variety protection regulations' incorporating the 2021 judicial interpretation released by SPC (Supreme People's Court)
- raising the threshold of plant variety approvals and de-registering illegal varieties
- tightening investigations of violations of plant variety rights, distribution of fake seeds, and the production and distribution of unauthorised GM seeds
As state is gradually loosening its strict controls on biosafety certificates for GM crops (notably soybeans and corn) since 2019, further policies to accelerate the commercialistion of GM crops are to be expected.