China: MARA Updates Rules for Review of Gene-Edited Plants for Agricultural Use

On April 28, 2023, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs (MARA) issued Rules for Review of Gene-Edited Plants for Agricultural Use (Trial), which clarifies the classification criteria and requirements for evaluating gene-edited plants. The rules provide operational guidance in the areas of molecular function, environmental safety, and food safety, including acceptable data. This report contains an unofficial translation of the rules and a table comparing the new document with the previously issued Guidelines for Safety Evaluation of Gene-Edited Plants for Agricultural Use (Trial).