Syngenta has received an import approval from the Chinese Ministry of Agriculture for its Agrisure Duracade trait.

The approval has been granted for corn grain and processing co-products, including dried distillers grains (DDGs), for applications in food and feed.

Syngenta CEO Erik Fyrwald said: “Obtaining this regulatory approval opens up new opportunities for our corn seed portfolio. Growers can expect more choice and exciting new hybrids that offer elite genetics plus the latest in corn rootworm control technology.”

As a result of yield losses and costs in control measures, corn rootworm is costing US corn growers more than $1bn a year in losses.

“Obtaining this regulatory approval opens up new opportunities for our corn seed portfolio."

Agrisure Duracade helps to control corn rootworm for a healthier crop with an increased yield potential.

The trait has already undergone the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) consultation process, obtained registration from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and has been fully deregulated by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) since 2013.

Syngenta’s ability to market Duracade is currently limited as it is awaiting approval from the EU.