U.S.
Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns today signed a memorandum
of understanding (MOU) with Minister Li Changjiang of China's
General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and
Quarantine to improve bilateral cooperation on animal and plant
health and food safety.
"China is an increasingly important market for U.S. food and
agricultural products," said Johanns. "In 2005, U.S. farmers and
ranchers sold more than $6 billion in agricultural products to
China, making it our fifth largest export market. This
memorandum of understanding will create a structure to enable us
to address sanitary, phytosanitary and food safety issues before
they become barriers to the thriving agricultural trade between
our two countries."
Under this MOU the two countries will exchange information on
food regulations and standards, inspection and quarantine
procedures, and other issues such as pests and disease, harmful
residues, and food certification.
The MOU was signed in conjunction with the 17th meeting of
the U.S.-China Joint Commission on Commerce and Trade (JCCT)
plenary held in Washington, D.C. The JCCT provides the United
States and China with an opportunity for high-level discussions
on bilateral trade issues, and a means to strengthen commercial
relationships. The JCCT last met in China in July 2005.
Johanns participated in the 17th U.S.-China Joint Commission
on Commerce and Trade (JCCT) meeting held in Washington today.
The forum was co-chaired by Vice Premier Wu Yi for China and on
the U.S. side by U.S. Trade Representative Rob Portman and
Commerce Secretary Carlos Gutierrez.
The JCCT provides the United States and China with an
opportunity for high-level discussions on bilateral trade
issues, and a means to strengthen commercial relationships. The
JCCT last met in China in July 2005.
