Browse Data and Analysis

The Ministry of Public Health (MOPH) Notification No.431 B.E. 2565 (2022) RE: Foods Derived from the Genetically Modified Organisms and Ministerial Notification No.432 RE: Labeling of GM Foods went into force on December 4, 2022.

On January 13, 2023, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs (MARA) published a finalized updated “Guideline for Safety Assessment of Genetically Modified Plants.”

The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) proposed default greenhouse gas (GHG) emission values for biomass feedstock eligible for the feed-in tariff and feed-in premium (FIT/FIP) programs for power generation.

Aviation is responsible for more than two percent of all global carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. Most of this CO2 is emitted when fossil-fuel-derived jet fuel is combusted. Sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) is a key part of the aviation industry’s plan to reduce carbon emissions.

In the past year, Hong Kong did not have any policy changes to regulations pertaining to genetically engineered (GE) products, while monitoring the development of synthetic biology. Hong Kong does not maintain specific regulations for GE products, which are subject to the same food regulations of conventional foods.

Since the previous report, Taiwan has granted new approvals for imports of genetically engineered (GE) products for processing, food, and feed use. Taiwan has never permitted domestic production of GE crops or animals. In 2021, Taiwan imported close to $1.2 billion of U.S. GE crops including soybeans, corn, and cotton, accounting for 30 percent of total U.S. agricultural exports to the island.

Malaysia’s Biosafety Act 2007 and Biosecurity Regulations are currently under review by the Department of Biosafety. As of September 2022, 57 genetically engineered (GE) products have been approved for import, an increase of 14 percent from 2021.

Singapore does not have any domestic commercial production of plant biotechnology. The Singapore Food Agency provides a link in its website that lists a total of 64 genetically engineered (GE) crops that have been approved for use as food for direct consumption, ingredients, and further processing into ingredients for other food in the country.

The People's Republic of China (PRC) is preparing for commercial cultivation of domestically developed genetically engineered (GE) crops.

This report provides updated information about the adoption of agricultural biotechnology in Vietnam. Since approving all outstanding applications for food and feed use in August 2021, Vietnam has not resumed its regulatory process for acknowledging and reviewing new applications.

Following the approval of a GE potato variety in July 2021, the Government of Indonesia approved four GE corn events for domestic commercial cultivation in February 2022. The U.S. exported nearly $2.2 billion in GE-derived products to Indonesia in 2021.

This report describes the status of Burma’s production, regulations, public attitudes, trading, and labeling requirements for genetic engineered products and the current activities for agricultural biotechnology.