Austria and China seal new import accord

RECENT talks between Austrian minister for agriculture Andrae Rupprechter and Chinese minister for quality supervision, inspection and quarantine Zhi Shuping will open the import doors for more cheese and other dairy products from Austria as reported in Dairy Industries International.

Unlike previous dairy products from Austria that covered only a select few, the export certificates for milk products that will be issued by the Chinese authorities will include 24 Austrian companies, Mr Shuping said.

These new export certificates will affect the supply of cheese, the demand for which is rising steadily in China, according to Mr Rupprechter.

“This is a great opportunity for our domestic dairy industry, so soon after the expiry of the milk quota on 1 April. More and more consumers in China attach importance to quality and safe food. Now we have to grab this opportunity as soon as possible,” Mr Rupprechter said.

Meanwhile, talks between Rupprechter and Chinese minister for agriculture Han Changfu revolved around the issues of food safety and food control, with emphasis on China’s interest in the Austrian systems for quality assurance and control.

The two ministers have agreed to establish a joint working group. Changfu has accepted an invitation to visit Austria to study specific cooperation projects in the area of organic agriculture.