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Bilateral Cooperation to Move Two Sides Even Closer Five Years into the Signing of Cross-Strait Agreement on Cooperation in Quarantine and Inspection of Agricultural Products

2015-06-10
  In order to promote the development of cross-strait agricultural product trading, the Cross-Strait Agreement on Cooperation in Quarantine and Inspection of Agricultural Products was signed in 2009 resulting in 5 years of productive cooperation. The 11th edition of its work meeting and the 8th Cross-Strait Quarantine and Inspection of Agricultural Products Conference was held in Taiwan from June 8 to 9. The event focused on 18 quarantine and inspection issues that concerned both parties such as the entry of Taiwan′s grapes, mushrooms, dog and cat food into China, as well as expedited customs clearance for Taiwanese fruits, simplified quarantine procedure for ornamental aquatic animals, and training technique for sniffer dogs, all reached solid and satisfactory conclusion during the conference.  
 
Taiwan′s grapes to enter China this year    
                                                                  
  The Council of Agriculture (COA) explained that on June 9, in the conference jointly hosted by COA Deputy Minister Wang Cheng-teng and General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine of the P.R.C. Vice Minister Zhang Qinrong, Zhang announced that risk assessment report of grapes from Taiwan has been concluded and that it has became the 24th kind of fruit admitted into China. Thus, Taiwan′s grapes will be available in the Chinese market this year. On the other hand, the COA made an early announcement on the "Quarantine Requirements for Importation of Cherries Produced in Mainland China" which already publicized in mid-June. As a result, in addition to cherries from Shandong Province, those from Shanxi Province will be added to the list of Chinese cherries that Taiwanese consumers could choose from.

  The COA further stated that Taiwan is expected to receive the investigation results from China regarding Taiwan's application of dog and cat food export to China. After both parties reached a consensus, the products would be permitted to enter the Chinese market soon. Moreover, Chinese authorities informed that the risk assessments concerning Taiwan's request for 30-day quarantine exemption on ornamental aquatic animals has been completed. Relevant officials will soon arrange for a field trip to Taiwan in order to ensure the efficiency of bilateral ornamental aquatic animals trading. Additionally, both parties agreed to enhance cooperation and technical exchange of sniffer dogs training program.
 
Cooperation in quarantine and inspection of agricultural products boosts agricultural trade
 
  Benefited from the signing of Three Direct Links Agreement, ECFA Early Harvest List, and Cross-Strait Agreement on Cooperation of Agricultural Product Quarantine and Inspection since 2008, the value of cross-strait agricultural trade reached US$1.96 billion last year, with a growth of 114% compared to that of US$910 million before the signing of the agreement. Customs clearance related obstacles pertaining agricultural products were promptly overcome. Furthermore, both sides proceeded to exchange technical standards of quarantine and inspection which led to concrete trading results such as the entry of Taiwanese rice, pear, livestock products into China, while cherry and birch pear seedling from China were also allowed into Taiwan.

  The COA reiterated that the aforementioned agreement also serves as a quality control mechanism of agricultural products, assuring food safety that most people consider a very important issue. Therefore, both sides will not only continue to strengthen cooperation and establish faster customs clearance system for agricultural products, but also spare no effort in ensuring the safety of food across the strait.