China’s agricultural exports to receive international accreditation

According to the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine of the PRC, GAP certificates that China issues will be accredited by GLOBALGAP (Global Partnership for Good Agricultural Practice). On February 24 the Certification and Accreditation Administration of the PRC and GLOBALGAP signed a memorandum of understanding on the issue. Information of certified enterprises will be released to major global retailers via the GLOBALGAP website.

This will help Chinese export enterprises overcome foreign technical barriers and promote Chinese agricultural exports. To date, China has approved 14 accreditation agencies.

Since 2004, China has proclaimed 24 national GAP standards covering planting, livestock and poultry farming, and aquaculture. China has also issued the Implementation Regulations on GAP Accreditation.

In 2008, the trade deficit for China’s agricultural produce reached 18.16 billion USD, an increase of 3.4 times compared to the previous year.

GAP (Good Agriculture Practice) refers to applying modern agricultural knowledge to scientifically regulate each link of agricultural production. While ensuring the quality and safety of agricultural produce, it also aims at promoting environmentally, economically and socially sustainable development. The accredited enterprises will have access to the extensive international market space and their competitive edge in the international market will be noticeably boosted.

Up to now, developed countries and some developing nations have established GAP laws and regulations, or standards for their own country or areas.

Source: People's Daily Online