Three regulations went into effect Wednesday for improving management of transgenic agricultural products in China, said sources from the Ministry of Agriculture (MOA).

The regulations aim to better regulate research, production and sales activities of transgenic agricultural products and ensure their safety, according MOA sources.

As a follow-up to the "regulation on the safety of transgenic farm produce" issued by the State Council last year, these regulations have constituted a legal framework to ensure safety of transgenic products and will be conducive to the further advancement of biotechnology, preservation of the ecological environment and betterment of human health.

Sources said China will follow the internationally accepted standards in evaluating the safety of these products and grant national treatment to foreign enterprises.

The regulations have been drafted and promulgated in line with WTO procedures and China's own commitments. For example, a 70-day preparation period has been set aside before their official implementation.

(Xinhua News Agency March 21, 2002)