The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) of New Zealand has entered into Food Safety Cooperation Agreement with the China Food and Drug Administration (CFDA) to enhance food safety standards and food quality.
The agreement reflecting both the nations' commitment to outlay food safety initiatives was signed by the Chinese Vice Minister, Liu Peizhi and MPI Deputy Director General Carol Barnao.
As per the agreement, MPI and CFDA will establish Joint Food Safety Commission (JFSC) and will meet every year to discuss issues of respective food safety system and enhance food safety regulatory cooperation.
Welcoming the move, New Zealand Food Safety Minister Nikki Kaye said that it is an important agreement that would be beneficial to both countries.
"It will encourage cooperation and the sharing of knowledge in the fields of food safety, risk management, food standards and regulations. It will allow MPI and the CFDA to work together to enhance food safety, continually improve our regulatory regimes and enhance the bilateral relationship," added Kaye.
"The agreement also allows us to formalise our joint interests and is an important step in the evolution of China and New Zealand cooperation in food safety. It will further build on the strong relationship that our two countries share, particularly in the agricultural and food sectors."
