Why did China deny US corn with MIR 162 trait? What is DDGS?

Expert response from Paul Minehart

Head, Corporate Communications North America, Syngenta Corporation

Friday, 05/06/2015 13:27

Many news media reports throughout 2014 offered various reasons why China denied corn with the MIR162 trait, including that the trait had not yet been approved for import into China, that there was a large supply of domestic corn the Chinese government wanted to use, and that there were political and trade-related issues involved. In December 2014, China approved the trait for import, but China still has not imported much corn of any variety.
 
What is DDGS?
Dried Distillers Grains with Solubles (DDGS) are a byproduct of corn ethanol production. In this process, corn is fermented to make ethanol. The unfermented grain that remains from the process comprises mainly protein, fiber and fat. It is dried and sold as high quality animal feed.