China releases new rules on US DDG imports

The US Grains Council (USGC) reveals that China's Import Inspection Authority, AQSIQ, now requires US distiller's dried grains (DDG) imports to be officially certified free of the MIR 162 GMO trait.

All DDG shipments now departing that do not adhere to the certification requirement will be rejected, the North American Export Grain Association (NAEGA) said in a note to members.

The USGC will need to 'discontinue its role as the agent for US ethanol companies in submitting registration dossiers' to China's Ministry of Agriculture following the new requirement and China's latest regulations on registering US ethanol plants that expect to export DDGs.

In June, China stopped issuing import permits for US DDGs amid worries that it might contain the unapproved MIR 162 GMO quality. China's agricultural ministry has not permitted the strain, developed by Syngenta, for importation.