Pact on farm produce safety

• Source: Global Times
• [08:11 December 23 2009]
• Comments

Farm produce, especially fruit, is an increasingly important part of cross-Straits trade and many Taiwan farmers and agriculture firms invest in the mainland.

The ARATS and the SEF signed the agreement on the cooperation in standards measuring, inspection and certification in a bid to facilitate economic and trade contacts and improve the safety and quality of trade products.

It was hoped that the agreement would improve cross- Straits industrial cooperation, create a favorable investment environment and protect rights of consumers on both sides.

Under the agreement, the two sides agreed to work together on the establishment of common standards in key areas and construction of an information platform to share standards. Cooperation in legal measurement and information exchanges in measuring techniques and control would also be strengthened.

The two sides also agreed to carry out technical cooperation in inspection and measuring of product safety, and promote the establishment and implementation of certification and accreditation systems in new areas.

The two sides agreed to establish a bulletin system of goods safety information and intensify communication and coordination on handling unqualified goods.

They would set up a special working group separately to decide concrete plans and further cooperation.

The agreements are supposed to take effect within 90 days after they are signed.

Xinhua