A first joint China – Netherlands training is happening these weeks in The Hague, the Netherlands. The training aims to strengthen regulatory communication, technical exchange and bilateral cooperation towards food safety.
Strong communication and cooperation between the competent regulatory authorities of China and the Netherlands are important for the sustainable and mutually beneficial development of bilateral agricultural and food trade. As Chinese incomes continue to rise and domestic consumption potential is further unlocked, demand for high-quality food and agricultural products in the Chinese market continues to grow. At the same time, the Netherlands remains strongly committed to agricultural cooperation with China and to expanding cooperation in agrifood trade and related sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) matters.
The training is the result of joint efforts
Against this background, China and the Netherlands are organizing their first joint SPS training program in the Netherlands from 30 August to 12 September. The program takes place under the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Promoting Cooperation and Technical Communication on SPS Measures between the Netherlands’ Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security and Nature (LVVN) and the General Administration of Customs of China (GACC).
The training brings together 15 officials and technical experts from seven GACC departments, three research centres and four local customs authorities. LVVN, in cooperation with the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA), jointly developed the training program and curriculum.
Chinese and Dutch participants in the opening meeting of the food safety training in The Hague (photo courtesy of the Chinese Embassy in The Hague)
The opening meeting on 1 September brought together representatives of LVVN, NVWA and the Embassy of China in the Netherlands. Participants included the Dutch Chief Phytosanitary Officer, the Acting Deputy Chief Veterinary Officer and a senior NVWA inspector.
Training underlines commitment to agrifood cooperation
During the meeting, the Dutch representatives underlined the Netherlands’ strong commitment to safe food trade with China and the importance of maintaining and strengthening communication and exchanges between the two countries. They also expressed their hope to further expand cooperation in agricultural and food trade and related SPS matters.
Chinese Ambassador to the Netherlands Shen Bo also attended the meeting. He highlighted the opportunities created by China’s growing demand for high-quality food and agricultural products and China’s willingness to share the opportunities presented by its large market and economic development with the Netherlands, so that people in both countries can benefit further from bilateral cooperation.
Ambassador Shen also referred to China’s ongoing activities under the theme “Sharing a Large Market, Exporting to China.” He emphasized the importance of further deepening communication and cooperation between the competent regulatory authorities of China and the Netherlands, strengthening SPS-related exchanges, and jointly promoting the sustainable and mutually beneficial development of bilateral agricultural and food trade.
For more information contact pek-lvvn@minbuza.nl