In a bid to promote European Union (EU) quality food products on the Chinese market, 25 executives from leading European food producers, led by EU Commissioner for Agriculture, Rural Development and Fisheries Franz Fischler, are visiting China from March 25 to 30.

"Europe is tasty! This is the message I will carry to China. Be it wine, cheese, ham or olive oil, the EU has a longstanding tradition of quality food. China and the EU have great food trade potential which has to be further developed. My visit to China will contribute to further strengthening our trade ties. It will also enable the EU business delegation to explore new business opportunities for their outstanding food and drink products," said. Fischler.

In recent years, the partnership between China and the EU has grown stronger. Since 1978, EU-China trade has increased more than 40-fold and reached over 129 billion Euros in 2003. China is now the second most important trading partner for the EU, following the US.

Franz Fischler stated that he wants to use his visit to China to fully exploit the huge trade potential of China and the EU, to foster mutual understanding in agricultural trade issues and to show China "Tasty Europe," with its wide range of high-quality food and drink products.

Fischler stressed the importance of China in the WTO, saying, "It is vitally important to have a pro-active China to make the ongoing WTO Doha Round a success. For China, there is a big prize on offer. The EU has offered a considerable improvement in market access, substantial cuts in trade-distorting farm support and the elimination of all forms of export subsidization. I fully appreciate that China made major concessions when it joined the WTO. To get a good deal, we all must show flexibility."

The EU is the world's largest customer for farm products from developing countries, Fischler stated. "My visit to China is also aimed at improving our mutual understanding of the way Europe supports it farm communities."

"Last year, I devoted all my efforts to successfully thrashing out the biggest agricultural reform in the EU's history. What counts for China is that our reforms will lead to a reduction of trade distorting farm support in the EU of a whopping 70%. And in 2013 we will have slashed the amount spent on EU farm support by half in terms of GDP. This new type of support is not linked to production, and therefore does not harm China's trade interests," Fischler maintained.

On May 1, the EU will expand from 15 to 25 member states. This will create a single market without borders, tariffs or quotas of 450 million affluent consumers, according to Fischler.

"EU enlargement represents a huge trade opportunity for China. I am well aware that mushrooms and garlic are of specific concern to China. But the WTO rules offer an "insurance policy" for China, in case tariffs go up. It is up to China to submit a request for compensation. I have no doubt that we will negotiate and agree on appropriate measures in full compliance with WTO rules."

Solving problems facing agriculture, rural areas and farmers is a top priority in all China's government work this year. Fischler said that in his meetings with Chinese officials, the foundations had been laid for mutual sharing of experiences and know-how. "This is an excellent basis for an intensified dialogue, exchange visits and workshops in this field," said Fischler.

During the six-day visit, Fischler will hold a series of meetings with Chinese ministers and officials from Shanghai. The bilateral meetings will focus on farm trade relations between China and the EU, China's WTO accession and its impact on farm trade, relaunching the stalled WTO talks on agricultural trade liberalization and rural development, an issue of increasing importance in China and the EU.

The commissioner will also participate in business round tables and seminars and attend the opening ceremony of Shanghai International Trade Exhibition for Food, Beverage, Wines and Sprits (SIAL China) to be held on March 30. The EU will have an exhibition at SIAL to promote quality EU food. In addition, Fischler will visit supermarkets in Beijing and Shanghai and the Shanghai Agricultural Development Zone.

(China.org.cn by Wang Qian March 27, 2004)