China urges farmers to raise export production standards (Xinhua) Updated: 2006-05-30 10:33
China's Ministry of Commerce is urging farmers to raise production standards
in order to keep their share of the lucrative Japanese market after the
introduction of tough new rules on Monday.
Chinese farmers could bear
the brunt of Japan's stricter standards on chemical residues unless they raise
production and quality levels, ministry spokesman Chong Quan said.
The
Positive List System for Agricultural Chemicals Residues on Foods had raised the
threshold on farm produce exports to Japan and could restrain the healthy trade
of the two countries, said Chong.
"The system relates to more than an
issue of technical standards. Our concern is the issue of fair trade," he said.
China, Japan's largest source of farm produce, exported nearly
US$8 billion worth of agricultural products to Japan last year.
A vegetable plant in Ningbo, East China's
Zhejiang Province. China is Japan's largest source of farm produce,
exported nearly US$8 billion worth of agricultural products to Japan last
year. [newsphoto] | Chong said the Chinese government
respected the Japanese government's stance of securing domestic consumer health.
China is also "highly concerned" by the negative impact of the new rules on
Chinese companies and farmers.
More than 6,300 Chinese companies and 16
million farmers would be affected by the new system, said the spokesman.
"It is China's hope that the Japanese government would take necessary
measures to secure its normal trade with China without sacrificing its food
quality standards," he said.
China has also urged domestic
export-oriented firms to strengthen self-inspection during production and make
efforts to avert export risks, he added.
To cope with possible problems
arising from the implementation of new Japanese rules, the Ministry of Commerce
and other government departments concerned had organized training programs to
help export companies readjust their production and make more reasonable use of
pesticides.
More than 4,000 people from Beijing, Shandong, Fujian,
Zhejiang, Liaoning, Jiangsu and Anhui participated in the training between late
last year and March this year, said Chong.
The ministry had also
released disks, guidebooks and brochures on the possible impact of the new
regulations and posted analysis reports on its official website, he
said. (For more biz stories, please visit Industry Updates)
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