It wasn鈥檛 that long ago the mere mention of genetically modified crops had foreign countries threatening border closures to exports.
Realistically, such threats were always more a way to influence markets than true concerns for the issue of GM crops 小蓝视频 a problem in terms of human consumption.
Granted there are consumers who have concerns, although whether they understand the actual science of GM crops, or are working on the emotion of ill-conceived perception, is questionable.
The situation though is certainly shifting, and much of it has to do with the continued globalization of companies involved in both agri-chemical and plant breeding, two areas of development which are increasingly intertwined.
An example is a recent development by Beijing-based Origin Agritech Ltd.
The Chinese biotech seed firm recently announced it has planted genetically modified corn seeds in the United States at a greenhouse designated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
The move is a step toward launching China鈥檚 first GMO corn products in the United States.
What makes the announcement interesting is that the testing revolves around insect resistance and herbicide tolerance technologies developed in China.
It will be interesting to see whether the Chinese seed lines offer something uniquely new for producers, or will simply mimic existing developments that farmers already have access too.
Intriguingly China itself remains against GMOs, which is likely behind the company鈥檚 efforts in the U.S., at this point.
But success in the U.S. is likely to continue pressure to open China to GM crops sooner than later, as big corporations most certainly have a voice heard by governments.
The development is also continued evidence of the globalization of biotech and ag-chemical companies.
As an example China National Chemical Corp has agreed to buy Swiss-based seed and farm chemicals company Syngenta AG, which does business in the United States, for $43 billion.
The $43 billion is a number that is difficult to fathom, but speaks to how lucrative the sector is today, and what the potential is seen to be.
Of course the Chinese deal is not one occurring in isolation.
We also see efforts such as Monsanto and DuPont pursuing separate tie-ups.
That leaves a question of course surrounding the growing monopolization of the sector, and what that may mean in terms of farmer access to seed and the cost of new varieties, and the products they are genetically tied too.
Calvin Daniels is Editor of Yorkton This Week.
