Since 1997 China has issued nearly 1,000 agricultural GMO safety certificates, most of which for cotton. 73 agricultural GMO safety certificates have been issued this year so far. The second batch of agricultural GMO safety certificates of Year 2009 included certificates for three grain varieties, the first time for the government to issue GMO grain safety certificates. Huahui No. 1 and Bt Xianyou No. 63 paddy varieties are permitted to be used in Hubei and BVLA430101 GMO phytase corn variety is permitted to be used in Shandong.