China is the largest buyer of GM soybeans in the United States. IC data
The topic of genetically modified technology and China's food security and sovereignty has once again become the focus of attention of all walks of life after a year of heated debates and interactions among multiple rounds of government policy makers, non-governmental organizations, and consumers.
On December 8, the Chief Economist and Press Spokesperson of the Ministry of Agriculture, Chen Mengshan, gave an official adjustment to the issue of genetic transformation: “Promoting the research and application of genetically modified organisms technology is a general trend and an important strategic measure for China’s implementation of agriculture through science and education. The Ministry of Agriculture will Actively and steadily promote the research, development and application of genetically modified biotechnology."
News broke out on December 9th: The Ministry of Agriculture’s “kind of fish and fish food†was supplied by the high-quality aquatic products company supplying the canteens of the Ministry of Agriculture, and non-genetically modified oil was used as the edible oil.
Listening to his words and watching his actions, some people demanded that the “Ministry of Agriculture of the Ministry of Agriculture use genetically modified foods to give the people of the country an exampleâ€.
Globally, GM technology is still a controversial topic, and the debate between supporters and opponents is still in progress. On the one hand, GM technology promises to solve the food shortage, energy crisis and resource scarcity faced by human beings. On the other hand, due to its potential risks to human health and the environment, it is how to promote the development of GM technology and protect humans from this technology. The right balance between the negative impacts of development is the challenge that most countries face. Regarding the value and risk of genetically modified organisms, stakeholders have different perceptions. In this "debate game", no one party occupies an absolute moral advantage, and the interests of their respective representatives directly affect their position and the corresponding public relations strategy to compete for the right to discourse.
On the topic of genetically modified and food security, the Morning Post reporter has interviewed many Chinese and foreign government decision-makers, industry and public relations personnel, publicly or privately. They have taken stock of the stakeholders of China's genetically modified policy and tried to open readers to the interests behind the genetically modified cloud. Public relations debate.
National strategy
United States
Global output transgenic technology
Genetically modified soybeans and corn are not American staple foods, but they have become the most internationally competitive agricultural product export pillar in the United States.
China is the largest buyer of GM soybeans in the United States. As an important stakeholder, the United States is paying close attention to China's GM technology policy and the dynamic changes in public opinion.
The United States is sparsely populated, and agriculture is known for its high degree of mechanization and industrialization. As the world’s largest exporter of agricultural products, the export market determines the rise and fall of American agriculture and the interests of practitioners. Maintaining U.S. agricultural product competitiveness in the global market has dominated U.S. agricultural policies. In 1991, the "National Biotechnology Policy Report" drafted by the "American Competitiveness Presidential Commission" established a national strategy for genetically modified agriculture. The report clearly proposed that "all forces should be mobilized to develop and promote the commercialization of transgenic technology."
Since 1996, driven by companies such as Monsanto and Pioneer Hi-Bred, the United States' GM strategy has advanced rapidly. According to the latest statistics of the United States Department of Agriculture, in 2010, the three major transgenic soybeans, corn, and cotton in the United States accounted for 93%, 86%, and 93% of the total crop sown area.
Because of its uncertainties such as environment and security, GM technology has encountered strong opposition and resistance from environmental protection groups and consumers since its launch. However, the US government’s policy makers remain unmoved and resolutely hold high the “transgenic country strategyâ€. Banner. Public opinion in the United States even believes that this is the result of the “agricultural lobby†made up of “special interest groups†such as farmers and biotech companies that successfully penetrated and publicized the decision-making level of the government.
In fact, the main food crop in the United States is wheat. Soybeans and corn are not staple foods for the Americans. The risk of food security is relatively small. The three major genetically modified crops such as soybeans, corn and cotton have become the most international in the United States because of their low cost and high yield. Competitive agricultural exports pillar. In addition, in the United States' leading position in GM agricultural technology and in the dissemination of exclusive intellectual property to the rest of the world, in addition to obtaining huge commercial profits, an important strategic layout was also carried out.
At present, China is the largest buyer of genetically modified soybeans in the United States. At the same time, China imports most of its corn and cotton from the United States. As an important stakeholder, the United States is paying close attention to China's GM technology policy and the dynamic changes in public opinion.