Agreement enabling export of poultry meat to China signed in Beijing
Minister Sari Essayah visited China to promote the business opportunities of Finnish companies and exports. The agenda included the signing of a protocol on the export conditions for poultry meat, and an agreement was reached on starting cooperation on food safety. Minister Essayah also visited a trade fair where Finnish companies showcased their products for the Chinese market.
Minister of Agriculture and Forestry Sari Essayah and her delegation visited Shanghai and Beijing on 6–9 November to promote the business opportunities of Finnish companies and exports to China. During the visit the Minister met the key ministers and senior officials.
According to Ma Youxiang, Vice Minister at the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, high-quality Finnish products are most welcome to the Chinese market.
At the meeting between Minister Essayah and Wang Lingjun, Vice Minister of the General Administration of Customs, the ministers signed a protocol on export conditions for poultry meat. Besides the protocol, certain measures specific to individual companies and other administrative measures will be needed before exports can be started.
- China is an important destination for Finnish exports, but it requires long-term and consistent cooperation among the companies and public authorities. During this visit we made good use of this collaboration and opened up new opportunities for Finnish companies. Paving the way for poultry meat exports is a big and much expected achievement for the sector, Minister Essayah says.
At the meeting with Luo Wen, Minister of the State Administration for Market Regulation, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed on starting cooperation on food safety. Increased cooperation will make it possible to proceed with the export permit processes concerning foodstuffs such as infant formula.
The topics discussed with Tian Xuebin, Vice-Minister at the Ministry of Water Resources, included themes for long-term cooperation, projects and concrete steps. Core issues in this cooperation are strengthening the business environment for companies, digitalisation and finding solutions to challenges related to climate change.
At the working-level meeting with the Chinese Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs and the Customs, technical discussions were started on regionalisation related to African swine fever.
In Shanghai the Minister met representatives of Finnish companies operating in China and visited the China International Import Expo trade fair, where Finland National Pavilion presented a total of 17 Finnish companies. The fair is a leading platform for international companies to showcase their products and services in the Chinese market. This year more than 400,000 visitors had registered to the fair.
Inquiries:
Iina Mattila, Special Adviser to the Minister, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, tel. +358 50 4736 221
Jaana Husu-Kallio, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, tel. +358 40 0291 910
