EU / China: cooperation on agriculture

The Council was briefed by the Commission on the current state of cooperation with China in the fields of agriculture and rural development following a visit Commissioner Ciolos made in this country from 8 to 13 June 2012 (12456/12).

During this visit, the Commission deepened agricultural cooperation and worked at the opening of the main barriers to trade in agricultural and food products between the EU and China.

The cooperation plan for agriculture and rural development signed with the Chinese ministry of Agriculture focussed on following issues:

• policy on quality and geographical indications;
• quality and safety of agri-food products;
• sustainable use of natural resources;
• development and better distribution of value added in the production chain;
• animal health;
• emerging areas such as wine milk and agri-tourism,
• joint platform for research and innovation;
• rural development and diversification.

For example, in the field of organic products a roadmap was set out for a future EU-China equivalence agreement. As regards a future bilateral agreement on geographical indications, progress could be made in the future. EU and China agreed also on an action plan to combat the counterfeiting of wines and spirits which could be ratified at the next bilateral summit.