On 30 Jun 2014, China AQSIQ convened a press conference attended by Deputy Chief of Staff Lu Chunming. During the conference Lu revealed that a total of 1.25 million tons of Syngenta’ MIR 162 maize were rejected in less than one year because transgenic maize has not yet obtained an agricultural GMO safety certificate as required by Chinese law.

According to the survey from China ICAMA, both the production and marketing of paddy pesticide are booming in June and the stocks are sufficient to control the pest &disease on paddy.

On 8 Jul 2014, China MEP published the first list of environmentally compliant glyphosate producers. The draft public consultation period wrapped up on the 13 Jun 2014 after which four companies (just a fraction of total applicants) were finally included into the first batch.

On 12 Jun 2014, ICAMA invited experts to consult on the “Catalogue of Residual Test Sites for Minor-Crop Use Pesticide Registration”, which is an important supporting document for the upcoming “Special Provisions of Pesticide Registration for Vegetables and Featured Crops Use (Interim)”. The provisions were formulated to facilitate the registration process of pesticide used for minor crop.

China and Egypt have reached an agreement on mutual acceptance of data for pesticide registration, which will greatly facilitate the trade of agrochemicals and pesticides between the two countries.

On 10 Jun 2014, MoA issued a circular to all provincial agricultural bureaus to strengthen the supervision on Agricultural GMOs. The Ministry acknowledged that activities involving GMO’s are “controllable nationwide.” Regulatory breaches do occur from time to time which arouse public concern over China’s governance on Agricultural GMOs.

With the changes in farming practices, planting patterns and increasing use of agrochemicals, there is an urgent need to reduce the risks caused by pesticide use. On 22 May 2014, China MoA issued a circular to the provincial agriculture bureau to increase monitoring of the risks of pesticide use. The Ministry will implement the monitoring campaign nationwide to record serious safety incidents involving pesticides, which will help the ministry to understand which pesticides post the greatest risks.

On 9 Jun 2014, MoA issued a notice to its provincial feed management offices to standardize the management of feed flavors and some flavor producers. The feed flavor producers should obtain the production license and approval document of the product.

On 4 Jun 2014, MoA issued two circulars to consult on 214 maximum residue limits for 35 pesticide active ingredients, of which 24 have already been banned or restricted in China.