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Minister Tang Renjian Meets European Commissioner for Agriculture

Source:MARA Date:2021-09-05

 

Minister Tang Renjian held a meeting with Janusz Wojciechowski, European Commissioner for Agriculture, via video conference on Sep. 3, 2021 at the invitation of the EU side. The two sides had an in-depth discussion on furthering China-EU cooperation in agriculture and rural affairs. 

 Minister Tang stated that China and the EU enjoy commonalities and complementarities in agriculture and rural affairs. Over the years, the two sides have had frequent exchanges in the fields of policy and regulations, agricultural science and technology, geographical indications, animal health, and young talent, which have helped mutual understanding. China and the EU maintain sound communication and work together to push for global governance of food and agriculture under multilateral frameworks such as the United Nations system, the G20, and the World Trade Organization. At present, both China and the EU are in a new stage of agricultural and rural development, facing common challenges such as resources constraint, climate change, and small-holder farming while striving to the shared goal of sustainable agricultural development. China is ready to work with the EU to further improve dialogue mechanisms, deepen cooperation in various agricultural areas, strengthen coordination in multilateral affairs, and enhance mutual understanding and support, so as to contribute to global food security and sustainable agricultural development.

Minister Tang suggested that China and the EU could focus on the following areas to strengthen agricultural cooperation: 1) promoting cooperation in agricultural S&T, and fostering joint research concerning the role of smart agriculture in coping with climate change and reducing food loss. 2) strengthening cooperation in sustainable agriculture by conducting exchanges on the theory, policy and technology,  accelerating agricultural practices such as organic agriculture, emission reduction and carbon sequestration, biodiversity conservation, and nonpoint-source pollution control; and 3) strengthening exchanges of agricultural personnel in capacity-building for youth farmers and rural agricultural cooperatives, and vocational education for farmers. 

Commissioner Wojciechowski agreed with Minister Tang, expressing that the EU stands ready to work with China in agriculture and rural affairs through a more friendly and pragmatic cooperation mechanisms to contribute to a healthy and stable bilateral relationship. 

 
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