DATE:2016-11-07 SOURCE:MOA Information Office

Minister Han Changfu met with Mr. Lawrence MacAulay, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food of Canada, in Beijing on Nov. 3, 2016. The two sides exchanged views on furthering agricultural cooperation between China and Canada.

At the meeting, Minister Han noted that, with the support of leaders of both countries, significant progress has been made in China-Canada agricultural cooperation. The two sides have not only signed the Action Plan for agricultural cooperation but also properly handled the problems on beef and rapeseed trade.

Minister Han made the following suggestions for further cooperation.

1. Giving full play to the mechanism of China-Canada Joint Committee on Agriculture to promote cooperation in food security, food safety and agro-processing as outlined in the Action Plan in a pragmatic manner.

2. Strengthening cooperation in green agriculture to promote sustainable agricultural development. China is willing to establish demonstration areas for sustainable agriculture with Canada.

3. Enhancing bio-tech cooperation, conducting cooperation in S&T, including breeding R&D and germplasm exchanges, and communicating related regulatory policies.

4. Enriching the bilateral agricultural cooperation through joint projects led by local governments, research institutions and enterprises from both countries.

Mr. MacAulay said that the Canadian government fully recognizes the significance of the Chinese market for its farming sector and highly values the agricultural cooperation and exchanges with China. Mr. MacAulay agreed with Minister Han and expressed his willingness to deepen the bilateral cooperation in agricultural S&T, green agriculture development, agro-processing, agricultural trade and personnel exchanges to enhance agricultural sustainability and achieve common development for mutual benefit.

After the meeting, the two ministers witnessed the signing of MoU on beef cattle cooperation between China Agricultural University and the Canadian Beef Breeds Council.