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EU and China to share food standards
By Wang Yanlin |
March 21, 2011, Monday
|
Online Edition
Online Edition
THE European Union expects to integrate its food quality standards with that of China after both sides recognized ten food products bearing quality marks in each other's market, a senior EU official said in Shanghai today.
"We are now negotiating with China for building up a mutual regulatory system for granting Geographical Indication marks," said Dacian Ciolos, a European commissioner. "With this program, we hope to introduce more quality-guaranteed Europe agricultural products into China, and vice versa."
Geographical Indication, or GI, is a sign used on products to show its specific geographical location or origin.
In this EU-China program, the yellow-blue labels guarantee quality, tradition, good taste, authenticity and high environmental and animal welfare standards, Ciolos said.
The pilot program, initiated in 2007, started to bear fruit. Last year, ten European food products, including Scottish farmed salmon, Stilton cheese and Prosciutto di Parma, were granted to sell in China with a GI mark. Meanwhile, ten Chinese products, like Longjing tea from Hangzhou, apples from Shaanxi, and vinegar from Zhenjiang, were sold in European supermarkets with that mark.
"With growing awareness of food safety and quality in China, we hope to expand this program and give Chinese consumers more diversified choices," Ciolos said.
Ciolos led a business delegation to China this week and will launch a series of events to promote the recognition of GI signs in China.
Trade of agricultural products between EU and China remained limited so far, but a 50 percent growth in 2010 indicated huge potentials and a good prospect, Ciolos said.
"We are now negotiating with China for building up a mutual regulatory system for granting Geographical Indication marks," said Dacian Ciolos, a European commissioner. "With this program, we hope to introduce more quality-guaranteed Europe agricultural products into China, and vice versa."
Geographical Indication, or GI, is a sign used on products to show its specific geographical location or origin.
In this EU-China program, the yellow-blue labels guarantee quality, tradition, good taste, authenticity and high environmental and animal welfare standards, Ciolos said.
The pilot program, initiated in 2007, started to bear fruit. Last year, ten European food products, including Scottish farmed salmon, Stilton cheese and Prosciutto di Parma, were granted to sell in China with a GI mark. Meanwhile, ten Chinese products, like Longjing tea from Hangzhou, apples from Shaanxi, and vinegar from Zhenjiang, were sold in European supermarkets with that mark.
"With growing awareness of food safety and quality in China, we hope to expand this program and give Chinese consumers more diversified choices," Ciolos said.
Ciolos led a business delegation to China this week and will launch a series of events to promote the recognition of GI signs in China.
Trade of agricultural products between EU and China remained limited so far, but a 50 percent growth in 2010 indicated huge potentials and a good prospect, Ciolos said.
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