BEIJING - The Ministry of Agriculture on Monday vowed to beef up its supervision over genetically modified (GM) crops in order to protect human health, ecology and the environment.

Agricultural authorities at all levels should strengthen the control of testing, production, processing, labeling and marketing of GM seeds and crops, according to a statement posted on the ministry's website.

Conducting GM crop research or breeding secretly must be strictly prohibited, the statement said, adding that all experimental material should be traceable.

Agricultural authorities will step up inspection over seed-breeding bases in the northwest and southwest regions to prevent any illegal GM seeds from being planted.