China's Ministry of Commerce is urging farmers to raise
production standards in order to keep their share of the lucrative
Japanese market after the introduction of tough new rules on
Monday.
Chinese farmers could bear the brunt of Japan's stricter
standards on chemical residues unless they raise production and
quality levels, ministry spokesman Chong Quan said.
The Positive List System for Agricultural Chemicals Residues on
Foods had raised the threshold on farm produce exports to Japan and
could restrain the healthy trade of the two countries, said
Chong.
"The system relates to more than an issue of technical
standards. Our concern is the issue of fair trade," he said.
China, Japan's largest source of farm produce, exported nearly
US$8 billion worth of agricultural products to Japan last year.
Chong said the Chinese government respected the Japanese
government's stance of securing domestic consumer health. China is
also "highly concerned" by the negative impact of the new rules on
Chinese companies and farmers.
More than 6,300 Chinese companies and 16 million farmers would
be affected by the new system, said the spokesman.
"It is China's hope that the Japanese government would take
necessary measures to secure its normal trade with China without
sacrificing its food quality standards," he said.
China has also urged domestic export-oriented firms to
strengthen self-inspection during production and make efforts to
avert export risks, he added.
To cope with possible problems arising from the implementation
of new Japanese rules, the Ministry of Commerce and other
government departments concerned had organized training programs to
help export companies readjust their production and make more
reasonable use of pesticides.
More than 4,000 people from Beijing, Shandong, Fujian, Zhejiang, Liaoning, Jiangsu and Anhui participated in the training between
late last year and March this year, said Chong.
The ministry had also released disks, guidebooks and brochures
on the possible impact of the new regulations and posted analysis
reports on its official website, he said.
(Xinhua News Agency May 30, 2006)