Worries over biosafety

There has been widespread speculation on when GM staples, particularly rice, would be available on the menu, as worries over consumer safety continue to grow.

Special coverage: NPC & CPPCC Annual Sessions Related readings: Govt 'has an open mind' on GM food Caution on GM crops Debate on GM food continues Countries differ on GM food laws Experts: GM food unsafe? No evidence yet "The certificates, based on fair safety evaluation, won't mean GM rice would be commercially planted immediately. It will require production trials and registration," he said.

Wei revealed that the applications for the two rice strains were filed 11 and six years ago respectively.

"The process will be handled according to law in a careful and transparent manner," he pledged, adding that China has so far neither approved commercial cultivation nor imports of GM grain.

Besides, China has never approved GM seed imports, he stressed, despite the fact that the country's traditional soybean industry is getting seriously damaged due to huge GM soybean imports.

"Other farm produce like GM papaya, soybean oil, tomatoes and potatoes, however, began to hit the market around 2000 after government approval, many without proper labeling, which is required by the law," said Fang Lifeng, spokesman for Greenpeace China's GM program.

The debate on GM foods began back then, but peaked in late 2009, when the GM rice and corn bio-safety certificates were issued.