The freedom of grain producers in China to genetically engineer produce will be limited under a draft law released on February 21 by the Legislative Affairs office of the State Council.

The research, sale, import and export of transgenic grain seeds should comply with state regulations. Institution and individuals must not apply transgenic technologies to principle grain cultivars without approval, said the draft referring to transgenics, the practice of inserting into an organism DNA that is not normally present.

The forthcoming law, the first of its kind in China, aims to ensure grain supply and security by stabilizing grain output and intensifying supervision over the market.

The draft also includes stipulations concerning the market deployment of grain resources and the safeguarding of grain production, circulation and quality.

According to the draft, the production, circulation and sale of edible vegetable oil will also be subject to the bill.