In Today’s Talking Points: China Focus: Foreign foods spend less time traveling to Chinese dinner tables, China lifts ban on British beef and China’s agricultural trade policy full of beans.
China Focus: Foreign foods spend less time traveling to Chinese dinner tables
From July 8, import tariffs for daily consumer goods delivered to China will be cut. Cultured and fish aquatic products have been reduced to 6.9 percent from 15.2 percent and a more streamlined customs clearance process implemented. Milk from New Zealand once took 8 days to reach a Chinese dinner table, and now it is anticipated to take only 2 days. Lobsters, salmon and oysters will be able to arrive fresh and alive to customers within 36 hours. According to the head of Changning’s commerce commission, Yang Dongsheng, quality inspection will begin in the country of origin, with random checks implemented after the imports arrive in China.
Read more: Xinhua Net
China lifts ban on British beef
The British beef ban in China has now been lifted after more than 20 years of prohibition. The ban had originally been implemented as a result of the Mad Cow Disease outbreak. This milestone has come after several years of site inspections and negotiations between the UK and Chinese Government Officials. Following the official announcement continued official market access negotiations will continue, which is expected to take a further three years. It is said that the produce will be worth £250 million in the first five years alone.
Read more: New Food
China’s agricultural trade policy full of beans
China is becoming a net importer of grains and oilseeds, with investments in agroindustrial capacity ranging from Russian and Kazakhstan to the Middle East and East Africa. From 2014, high-level agricultural policy documents show China clearly moving towards opening agricultural trade in grains and oilseeds. The ‘Insurance Plus Futures’ agricultural price reforms while only pilot policies at this stage are integral to the development of the institutional capacity upon which to later expand China’s import regime. Some obstacles to the project remain with Beijing’s intent to impose tariffs on a range of agricultural products including soy and sorghum from early July 2018. However, continued institutional reform in China’s trade policy is opening China’s market to more agricultural commodity imports, and will see increasing agroindustrial relations with others in the region.
Read more: East Asia Forum