Freshfel Europe has used a fruit and vegetable forum in China to voice its opinion on what it perceives to be an imbalance in bilateral fresh produce trade between the Asian country and the European Union.
Speaking at the '2009 Forum on Fruit and Vegetable Inspection and Quarantine' in Guangzhou, a representative for the European Fresh Produce Association called on Chinese authorities to speed up the negotiation process of plant health protocols to facilitate greater access to the country for European-grown fresh fruit and vegetables.
The Association's representative told delegates that trade remains hampered by China's strict plant health requirements, and that the fresh produce sectors of both the EU and China would benefit from a 'more balanced' trade relationship.
According to Freshfel statistics, EU fresh produce imports from China have increased from 476,000 tonnes to 750,000 tonnes since 2003, while EU exports to China have grown to just 15,000 tonnes in 2008 from 7,900 tonnes in 2003.
'Before initiating any exports, EU exporters need to conduct a detailed, costly and time-consuming pest risk analysis product-by-product and member state by member state, a process which must be endorsed and controlled by Chinese authorities,' said Philippe Binard, general delegate of Freshfel.
'Some of these processes have taken in the past up to 10 years before being completed – a restrictive import legislation that sharply contrasts with EU market access conditions,' he added. 'This widely explains the current imbalance in trade flows.'
Freshfel's representative at the forum noted that EU production was not necessarily exposed to greater risks despite being geared towards a more trade-based plant health scheme, as fruit and vegetables must adhere to strict quality and safety rules.
'As a way forward, Freshfel urges Chinese authorities to move towards greater transparency in its legislation, to facilitate recognition of EU controls to avoid duplication of measures and to move towards cost-effective solutions allowing for a simplification and relaxation of the registration procedure for EU exports of fruit and vegetables to China,' the group said in a statement.
'A more open market will not only improve the quality of Chinese produce and gear local production to higher standards, but will also provide Chinese consumers with a wider variety of quality fresh fruit and vegetables on the Chinese market.'
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