US government and agricultural industry leaders will today (16 February) meet with a Chinese delegation as part of the inaugural US-China agricultural symposium.
The forum, which is being held in Des Moines, Iowa, was conceived to strengthen bilateral trade relations and support the US brand of agriculture throughout the Asia-Pacific region, a media release from the USDA stated.
“I'm honored to welcome China's vice president Xi Jinping and minister of agriculture Han Changfu to the United States, where we may continue our in-depth dialogue on issues of mutual concern," said US agricultural secretary Tom Vilsack. "Thanks to the productivity of American farmers, ranchers and producers, consumers in China recognise the United States as a reliable supplier of high-quality food and agricultural products. Strengthening our partnership with China's growing market is integral to the strength of the US economy in the decades ahead."
According to the media release, China became the number one market for US agricultural goods in 2011, purchasing US$20bn in US agricultural exports. The value of US farm exports to China supported more than 160,000 US jobs in 2011, on and off the farm across a variety of sectors.
The symposium will focus on current and future cooperation between the two nations in areas including food safety, food security and sustainable agriculture. The event is taking place at the World Food Prize Hall of Laureates in Des Moines.
“China and the United States have an opportunity and responsibility to work together to help increase the availability and use of sustainably produced food for a rapidly growing world population," said Vilsack.
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