China’s Agriculture Minister Han Changfu and Australia’s Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Joe Ludwig, signed the agreement during the 11th meeting of the China-Australia Joint Agricultural Committee, which took place in Sydney on 22 April 2013.
The two sides discussed progress on bilateral agricultural exchanges and co-operation, briefed each other on the latest agricultural developments and agreed on priorities for future co-operation.
“The agricultural trade relationship with China is our most valuable, worth about AU$7bn. My meeting with Minister Han was an opportunity to discuss a wide range of topics, including how we ensure our relationship continues to grow,” said Ludwig after the meeting.
“The growing Chinese market presents fantastic opportunities for our farmers and we hope that there will be more good news into the future.”
Han also expressed his support for a broad-reaching agreement on agricultural co-operation between the two countries.
“At present, the mechanism of bilateral agricultural co-operation is running well. The China-Australia partnership has been boosted in diversified areas, and closer ties have been established among various sectors. And we have also witnessed the rapid growth and sound development momentum in agricultural trade,” he said
China recently agreed to accredit 28 Australian cold store facilities and four red meat plants for export, which will allow Australian exporters to save money by consolidating large shipments of meat, and Han is due to visit a Queensland-based red meat export establishment during his visit to Australia.