China's Ministry of Agriculture has authorised the import of a genetically modified herbicide-tolerant canola variety, according to reports. The approval covers the BASF's MS11 canola and is valid for five years from September 28th, 2023. MS11 canola varieties contain three introduced genes derived from common bacteria: the barnase and barstar genes, from Bacillus amyloliquefaciens, which confer male sterility and fertility restoration and form a hybrid breeding system; and the bar gene, derived from Streptomyces hygroscopicus, which confers tolerance to the herbicide glufosinate. The variety has been approved for cultivation in Australia (see AgbioNews Sep 16, 2021).