With food prices hitting record highs the jury is still out in Asia as
to whether genetically modified crops hold the key to future food security.
The Philippine government has openly embraced the commercial growing
of genetically modified (GM) corn, but neighbouring countries appear less
than enthusiastic.



"There has been a lot of talk about developing high-yielding crops and
crops that can cope with climate change using GM seeds," said Daniel Ocampo,
a genetic engineering campaigner with the environmental group Greenpeace.



But, he said, the technology was still a long way from "addressing
these needs".



Even so, this has not stopped the Philippines from subsidising the
production of GM corn.



"This is despite the fact that GM corn and some conventional varieties
have the same yield potentials," Ocampo said.



While Japan does not grow GM crops due to safety concerns among
consumers it does import GM grains for use in making products such as
cooking oil, animal feed and manufactured goods.



Japanese companies have been reluctant to test the market for
consumer-ready GM food because of labelling requirements and public safety
worries.



While Japan does not ban GM farming, strict regulation has discouraged
corporate investment in the area.



But with rising food prices causing increasing concern in a country
that imports more than half of what it eats, the government has said that GM
crops may be a way to ease food security and environmental problems.



"Because of strong public concern about consuming genetically modified
food, it does not make business sense for Japanese firms to farm genetically
modified plants commercially," a Japanese farm ministry official said.



"However, given the expansion in the cultivation of GM products abroad
and rising demand for food, we are reviewing ways to have the option of
commercial farming in the future," he said.



In South Korea a law which came into effect on January 1 this year
imposed strict rules on the import of GM seeds.



While there are domestic GM seed programmes for experimental purposes
none are for commercial use, an agriculture ministry official said on
condition of anonymity.



"So far all imported GM seeds have been processed immediately after
being cleared through customs," the official said.



"There have been no cases of imported or home-grown GM seeds being
used for commercial cultivation here and we are not considering easing our
rules despite price hikes," he added.



In Bangkok the regional headquarters for the United Nation's Food and
Agricultural Organisation (FAO) said it had not seen any signs that
governments in Asia were pushing for genetically-modified seeds.



"With modern agricultural technology countries should be able to
produce enough food without genetically-modified seeds," said He Changchui,
the FAO's regional representative for Asia .



"You don't need them. Just try to supply good fertiliser and good
water," he said.



In China the State Council, or cabinet, issued detailed rules in 2001
covering safety, labelling, licensing for production and sales, and import
safety policies of all GM products.



Xie Yang of the Development Research Centre, a major think tank under
the State Council, said: "No genetically modified grain, including seeds, is
allowed for edible consumption in China .



"Genetically modified products are allowed for indirect uses, such as
making edible oil, but it must be labelled clearly."



There is successful research in China , but no commercial application
yet, he said, adding: "It is said that there are breakthroughs in the
research of (genetically modified) rice and corn. But none is allowed on to
the market."



According to Greenpeace's Ocampo the Philippines is the first country
in Southeast Asia , and possibly all Asia , to have a commercial GM food
crop.



"The government would say it is because the Philippines should not be
late in embracing a technology that promises to help increase the income of
farmers and provide higher yields.



"But the fact is the Philippines is so close to the US that whatever
policies the US have regarding GM crops we ( Philippines ) usually follow
suit."


www.checkbiotech.org