Their transition was assisted Monday by overseas experts, who were in Beijing to discuss the post-WTO agriculture environment.

"China's farmers had little input into China's decision to join the WTO but for a successful entry, a great deal depends on them to make the changes and to implement the reforms that will benefit their families and all China's citizens," said Frederick Crook, an agriculture expert who has retired from the Markets and Trade Division of the Economic Research Service at the US Department of Agriculture.

During yesterday's forum, Crook and four other agriculture experts from the United States expressed the hope to bring local farmers up to speed on the changes. Robert Anderson, a leading figure in the development of US national organic policies and standards, said China's accession to the WTO will continue to reduce and eliminate trade barriers between it and the US and pave the way for more growth in agricultural trade.

He said there are significant opportunities for Chinese organic farmers, suppliers, manufacturers and exporters to explore within the US market.

The US and China are large trading partners in agricultural products, representing a US$2.7 billion market.

"Understanding the organic consumer, the US organic marketplace and the US organic regulations are necessary for Chinese agriculture to access this exciting US market," Anderson said.

Chinese scholars believe enhancing exchanges and consultations between China and other countries will help both promote healthy trade.

Xu Xiaoqing, deputy director-general of the Department of Rural Economic Research at the Development Research Centre of the State Council, said China has made a lot of commitments in the agriculture sector and the transition period will be crucial and even painful for local farmers.

Wen Tiejun, from the Rural Economy Research Centre at the Chinese Ministry of Agriculture, said Chinese farmers on small plots of land cannot compete with big farms in the US, saying the WTO entry will depress farmer incomes, particularly in the centre and west of China.

"But one thing is clear, that when we open our door, other countries also open their doors," Xu said. "We could strive for more beneficial conditions in an advantageous position in the global agricultural market."

(China Daily October 22, 2002)