US And China Sign Agreement On Cooperation In Agricultural Science And Technology

WASHINGTON, Dec. 10, 2002. Agriculture Secretary Ann M. Veneman and China's Minister of Science and Technology Xu Guanhua today signed a Protocol on Cooperation in Agriculture Science and Technology.

"Cooperation in science and research benefits agriculture in both our countries and reinforces the central role of science in the regulatory system," Veneman said. "Consistent, science-based regulatory systems will strengthen the U.S.-China agricultural trade relationship, reduce trade obstacles and help resolve outstanding issues."

During her visit to China in July, Veneman met with Minister Xu on a range of agricultural trade and cooperation issues, and each confirmed their interest in finalizing the protocol. The protocol was developed in discussions with Chinese officials led by Agriculture Under Secretary for Research, Education and Economics Dr. Joseph Jen. As directed by the Secretary, Jen has been reviewing areas of cooperation in agricultural research between the United States and China from a scientific viewpoint and leading USDA¡¯s efforts to expand cooperation in science and research.

The protocol will encourage collaborative research in such important areas as agricultural biotechnology and the agricultural environment. Other areas of scientific cooperation specifically cited in the protocol include food safety, dairy production, processing of agricultural products and water-saving agricultural technology. The two countries agreed to form a Joint Working Group to facilitate and review cooperation under the protocol.

"This protocol will build on the U.S.-China cooperative relationship in research," said Veneman. "For 25 years, we have worked cooperatively with China on agricultural science and technology issues. More than 1,400 scientists and officials from our governments, universities and the private sector have been part of these efforts. Together, our scientists and experts are advancing some of the most promising areas in agriculture."

The protocol operates in addition to previously negotiated and ongoing USDA agreements with China, including the Nov. 5, 2002 Memorandum of Cooperation between USDA¡¯s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service and its Chinese counterpart organization, the Department for Supervision on Animal and Plant Quarantine. China¡¯s Ministry of Science and Technology sets broad research and development priorities, funds research programs of other ministries and provides oversight to public research in China. A copy of the protocol is available at www.fas.usda.gov.