Browse Data and Analysis

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.

On December 6, 2022, the Council of the European Union and European Parliament concluded negotiations on the EU’s Deforestation-Free Supply Chain Regulation.

As an economic sector, agriculture contributes to just over 10 percent to Canada’s overall greenhouse gas emissions. Canada’s vision for agriculture to fight climate change is based on creating opportunities to improve carbon sequestration in agricultural lands, to stimulate the adoption of clean technologies on farms, and to support farmers in adopting greener on-farm practices to reduce GHG emissions.

On December 30, 2022, the Turkish Government published a Biosafety Decision to reapprove the import of a genetically engineered (GE) stacked corn event, NK603 X MON 810, for feed. In a separate government action, the single event MON 810 was canceled due to a recent court decision. With these latest changes, the total number of approved GE events remains at 36.

Guatemala, at present, allows the importation of genetically engineered (GE) agricultural and food products, but has not approved the use of GE plants for agricultural production.

Brazil is the world's second-largest producer of biotech crops. Post forecasts a 10-percent increase in area planted to biotech crops in the upcoming 2013/14 Brazilian crop year (October-September).

Honduras is the only country in Central America that allows commercial production and field trials of agricultural biotech crops.

China is expected to remain a significant importer of biotech products and may become an exporter of biotechnology in the medium to long term.

Colombia continues to expand its biotechnology frontier. The adoption rate for biotech corn has surpassed that of cotton and the development of a regulatory framework is underway.

Kazakhstan's draft biotech law could remain stalled until the country's WTO accession. Meanwhile, new Customs Union regulations address labeling and import of biotech products.