BEIJING, CHINA — China is planning to approve three new genetically modified corn varieties produced by domestic companies, according to a notice by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs.

Last month, China proposed an overhaul of regulatory seed rules to pave the way for approval of GMO crops, Reuters reported.

The three new corn products include ND207 produced by China National Tree Seed Corp and China Agricultural University, Zheda Ruifeng 8 made by Hangzhou Ruifeng Biotech Co and DBN3601Tfrom Beijing Dabeinong Biotechnology Co., according to the notice.

The approval plan will be open for public comment until Jan. 17.

The DBN3601T corn is an upgraded variety from DBN9501 and DBN9936, two corn traits owned by Dabeinong Biotech, parent company Dabeinong Technology Group Co. said.

Dabeinong will work with partners to get ready for the commercialization of the product and prepare inventories of the variety.

The new variety will have stronger resistance to a wider range of insects, especially the fall armyworm, Reuters reported.

Safety approval is a major step toward commercialization, but it is unclear when the new products would be ready for a market launch.

So far, China has not allowed the planting of GMO soybean or corn but has allowed their import for use in animal feed.