Minister of Agriculture states China's farm produce reliable

The quality of China's farm produce on the whole is quarantined, and consumers can rest assured, according to a recent interview with Minister of Agriculture Sun Zhengcai.

Quality conformity rate at its highest

Q: What is the quality of China's farm produce at present?
Sun: China took a historical step at the end of last century by turning from long-term short supply to a basic balance of supply and demand; and entered a new stage of giving equal attention to quantity and quality.

To ensure the safety of our people's "rice bags" and "vegetable baskets", the Ministry of Agriculture carried out a "hazard-free farm produce program" by vigorously developing non-pollutant products, green food, and organic food.

Sample surveys have intensified for more commonly consumed products including vegetables, fruits, and pork.

Currently, 93.6 percent of vegetables tested qualify for containing little or no pesticide remnants; 98.8 percent and 99 percent of livestock products tested qualify for having little or no clenbuterol contamination and sulfonamides remnants; 99.6 percent of aquatic products qualify for having little or no chloramphenicol contamination; and for three years on end, no clenbuterol was found in fodder.

Monitoring reveals the rate of quality conformity by China's farm produce is at the highest ever.

China leads the world in export quality

Q: As a large country in terms of agricultural exports, how does China guarantee quality? What are the current conditions?

Sun: China's farm produce has not only met domestic demand, but also enriched world markets. So far, over 70 varieties of China's produce have found their way to more than 210 countries and regions.

According to Sun, in order to guarantee the quality of these products, China has established a filing system for all exported goods. It has applied a strict quarantine and inspection system on goods at their places of origin. China has applied a standardized production line for its farm produce. At the same time, China is cooperating with international organizations, such as Codex Alimentarius Commission, to ensure that exported goods from China are meeting international standards, according to Sun.

Data shows that over the past four years, more than 99% of Chinese foods exported to the United States, European Union, and Japan, have met the standards of these countries. According to a report issued by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare of Japan; in 2006, about 99.42% of Chinese foods exported to Japan had met Japanese national standards. In the United States, the rate of quality conformity for imported Chinese foods reached 98.69%; and in the European Union, it reached 99.38%.

Sun declared that this indicates that Chinese exported farm produce was welcomed by consumers in importing countries, according to Sun.

Strict supervision from field to table

Q: What's the main feature of China's quality supervision work on farm produce?

Sun: Ensuring farm produce quality is a common task facing the world; and each country is exploring unique administrative models. The Chinese government carries out a supervision system from the field to the market, and on to the table.

Within the Law of Quality Security for Agricultural Products, China has forged a whole chain of supervision every step of the way.

Crackdown on unsafe and shoddy products

Q: From August to the end of 2007, the State Council will conduct a nationwide crackdown on unsafe and sub-standard products, including farm produce. Are there any objectives for the program?

Sun: In this program, agricultural authorities will strive for the following objectives:
--Bring all wholesale markets in medium-and large-sized cities under quality supervision;
--Solve the problem of using unauthorized pesticides, animal drugs, and fodder additives in production bases, large-scale farms and demonstration areas of standardized agricultural production;
--Reduce the rate of pesticide and animal drug remnants in vegetables, meat and poultry, and aquatic products;
--Eliminate the production, sale, and use of five kinds of highly poisonous pesticides such as methamidophos.