The Chilean Minister of Agriculture, Carlos Furche, met with the Deputy Minister of AQSIQ (the SAG's counterpart agency in China) on the last work day of the Chile Week in Beijing. They discussed the details that will conclude the proceedings, allowing them access to the nectarine market and to develop demonstration farms. Chile already has a demonstration farm near Beijing and talks are advanced that will lead to the establishment of a Chinese agricultural farm in Chile in a terrain of the INIA.
Additionally, Furche said, we're working on refining the protocol for the importation of avocados, and to establish combined maritime and air transport systems which would allow us to reduce the costs of transporting fresh fruit.
The national director of the SAG and the Deputy Minister of AQSIQ signed a protocol establishing the priorities of the joint work for 2016 and 2017. Meanwhile the private sector, led by the President of Asoex, Ronald Bown, finalised an agreement of mutual recognition on good agricultural practices.
On this occasion, Angel Sartori recalled that an agreement allowing the use of electronic certification for all products exported to China, which has been operational since August, had been signed in January. "This allows exporters to gain time for the withdrawal of the containers from the ports, ensuring that there is little chance that the certificates can be falsified or adulterated, thus significantly facilitating bilateral trade progress," said Sartori.
Another of the highlights of the meetings held on Friday, was the interest shown by the Chinese Ministry of Agriculture in Chile's sanitary procedures. He recognised the high level of Chile's agricultural health and wanted to learn from the experience that our SAG professionals possess, concluded the director.
Source: asoex.cl