The biggest U.S. grain export association called on China on Thursday to rescind its latest restriction of a GMO corn strain, saying the new demand was unworkable. Trade sources said China issued the new requirement affecting distiller’s dried grains(DDG), a popular livestock feed that is a by-product of corn ethanol manufacturing. Traders say China is demanding certification that DDG imports do not contain the MIR 162 GMO strain. Grain traders say the U.S. government does not issue zero tolerance certification.
“China is asking for something that cannot be done. This certificate that they’re asking for does not exist,” said Tom Sleight, president and chief executive officer of the U.S. GrainsCouncil.
Sleight said China had also made the new requirements effective immediately, causing serious disruptions. All DDG shipments departing from July 24 that do not meet the certification requirement will be rejected, the North American Export Grain Association told members in a note, traders said.
“It’s a de facto embargo in terms of U.S. DDG trade into China,” said Dan Basse, president of consultancy AgResource Co. “USDA is not in a position to be issuing GMO certificates in general. So it’s not going to happen.”
Read the full, original article: New China feed grain rule unworkable: U.S. export group
