The workshop organized by Freshfel Europe and the China Entry & Exit Inspection and Quarantine Association (CIQA), in Beijing, has produced excellent results. The workshop aimed to create a shared knowledge base for future trade relations, to understand respective production systems, and above all to explore the four basic pillars for trade between the two countries—market access, phytosanitary policies and requirements, food safety policies and requirements, and specific procedures for various products.
The format of the workshop, which was particularly effective and highly appreciated, focused on all the major themes regarding trade between Europe and China, with bilateral presentations followed by discussions, and with contributions from Woo Huao, director of the AQSIQ Biosecurity Division, Jerome Lepeintre, head of the Agricultural Section of the EU Delegation to China, and Ms Li Li, director of the Economic Crop Division of the Chinese Agricultural Ministry.
Italy presented an overview of the current situation for kiwifruit, apples, pears and citrus fruits as part of the Business Case session, dedicated to businesses and problems in trade relations.
“We had the opportunity,” declared Simona Rubbi, CSO ITALY’s officer for the opening of new markets, “to present a clear and analytical outline of the situation for exports of Italian produce to China, with the excellent performance of kiwifruit in general and the growth in particular of yellow kiwifruit, and the great potential for the development of the market for pears, apples and citrus fruits.”
“With regard to citrus fruits,” commented Salvo Laudani, Oranfrizer’s Marketing Manager and president of Fruitimprese Sicilia, “we clearly described the current situation, asking for the agreement between China and Italy, signed in January 2016, to be applied to the campaign now in progress, and for the agreement to be extended to include the possibility in future of transporting citrus fruits, not only by sea, but also by air or rail. This opening is vital to guarantee the arrival of products of excellent quality, and I’m convinced that the Beijing workshop offered us a great opportunity in this area.”
In the sector of apples and pears, it was highlighted that in March 2015, the Italian ministry sent an official communication to the Chinese authorities, requesting the official opening of export negotiations, but that no reply has yet been received.
“We took the occasion of the workshop,” said Giulia Montanaro of Assomela, “to stress the desirability of starting joint negotiations for both apples and pears with the greatest urgency.”
The Italian delegation highly appreciated the presence and concrete support offered by First Secretary Enrico Berti and Raffaella Danielato of the Economic and Trade Department of the Italian Embassy in Beijing, and also of the Italian Ministry of Agricultural Policies.
In addition, the representatives of the six countries participating in the mission clearly reiterated the need for EU-led negotiations, despite China maintaining, once again, that discussions must be pursued independently by each EU member state.
In overall terms, the Freshfel Europe workshop achieved its aims, highlighting the opportunities offered by an immense market, but above all the need to adopt an approach of constant discussion and exchange with the Chinese authorities to ensure an even fuller understanding of the production methods, plant defence techniques and transport and logistics systems of the Italian fruit and vegetable sector.