Bridges Trade BioRes • Volume 5 • Number 14 • 22nd July 2005
China and US Sign Food Safety Agreement
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At a meeting of the US-China Joint Commission on Commerce and Trade on 11 July, the two countries agreed to a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to improve bilateral cooperation on animal and plant health and food safety. US Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns and Chinese Minister of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine Li Changjiang signed the MOU, which according to Johanns “will establish a forum to seek resolution of bilateral technical food safety issues and promote scientific exchange to resolve technical barriers to trade in products such as meat, poultry and eggs”. The agreement provides for the exchanges of information on laws; regulations and standards; inspection and quarantine procedures; methodology and technology; pests and disease; toxic and harmful residues; food certification and establishment registration. Johanns also commended Chinese officials for China’s recent approval of GM genetically modified maize variety NK603, and noted US willingness to work to promote a Chinese regulatory system to expedite further approvals. In addition, the Chinese government agreed to send a technical team to the US in October 2005 to examine the possibility of lifting its ban on imports of US beef that had been put in place owing to fears of mad cow disease. These agreements, Johanns noted, “will help to further expand trade opportunities with one of American agriculture’s top trading partners to build on our current trade success”. US agricultural exports to China amounted to more than US$6 billion in 2004.
“U.S., China Sign Food Safety Cooperation Agreement,” ENS, 12 July 2005; ” Johanns Announces Agreements For Greater Market Access For U.S. Agriculture In China,” USDA PRESS RELEASE, 11 July 2005
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