Australian minister sees bright future for agriculture relationship with China

As two-way agricultural trade between Australia and China reaches 12.6 billion AU dollars (9.5 billion U.S. dollars), Australian should continue to work closely with China to sustain the cooperation in this respect, Assistant Minister to the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources, Luke Hartsuyker, said on Wednesday.

Hartsuyker just came back from China where he attended the China Food Security and Food Safety Summit, which serves as a "valuable forum to support stronger agricultural ties between our countries".

"It was also a good opportunity to reflect on the success of the China-Australia Free Trade Agreement (ChAFTA) and the future opportunities it creates for both countries," he said.

During his visit, Hartsuyker and China's Acting Administrator of the State Administration of Grains (SAG) also signed a Statement of Intent to further develop collaboration in the grains sector.

"The Statement of Intent will support the development of a Memorandum of Understanding in areas of mutual interest, including grain science technology, quality testing and policy and structural adjustment in the grain sector - areas both nations are keenly interested in," Hartsuyker said.

He also viewed the fast track customs clearance processes for Australian fresh milk and other products in Shanghai.

Hartsuyker welcomed the first shipment of Australian nectarines exported to China. "This was a significant achievement that involved a lot of hard work by both countries and is further evidence of the positive and mutually beneficial trade relationship that Australia and China share." Endit