CRI听力: European Commission: No Reason to Lose Confidence in China's Food Safety

Anchor: Food safety is a top priority for countries around the world. In this age of globalization, international cooperation surely has a role to play in providing safe food for people at home and abroad.

In an exclusive interview with CRI, the European Commission's spokesperson for health says the European Union will share its experience with China in the field of food quality inspection.
The spokesperson also expressed confidence in the safety of 'made-in-China' foods, despite the country's baby formula incident last year.

XYee has the details. (www.hXen.com)

Trade of food and agricultural products has been on the rise between China and EU countries in recent years. Statistics show EU countries imported agricultural products from China worth nearly five billion US dollars in 2007. It's predicted that the export of food from the EU to China will climb to more than three billion US dollars next year.

In view of this vast food trade, Nina Papadoulaki, the health spokesperson for the European Commission, says it's very important for China and the EU to cooperate in the sector of food safety.

"The European Commission has carried out good cooperation with China in the field of food safety. The two sides have improved relevant standards for food safety after sharing information and experiences. In particular, we have set up a regular dialogue mechanism with China's General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine. Through this cooperation, we are well-positioned to ensure safe food for both the EU and Chinese citizens."

Last year, the tainted baby formula milk killed six children and sickened thousands in China. Following the outbreak of the incident last September, the Chinese government has strengthened inspection measures on food products around the country.

But the incident cast a shadow on China's food exports as overseas consumers suspected the quality of foods made-in China.

Talking about food safety incidents, the European Commission spokesperson says no country can eliminate the phenomena. She points out that the most important thing is to quickly respond to such incidents and ensure they don't happen again.

Moreover, Nina Papadoulaki says China can learn from the EU as the bloc has a comprehensive and mature system to monitor food safety among its member countries.

"Currently, the EU handles the food safety issues at three stages. First, we inspect and monitor the production, transportation and selling of food products closely. Moreover, member countries have to ensure their products conform to the unified standards of the EU. Lastly, we have an immediate early warning system at the level of EU to provide relevant information on food safety for all member countries."

The spokesperson also praised China for its effective inspection measures as the country's new Food Safety Law took effect from June 1st.

"I think China's newly implemented Food Safety Law is far-sighted. Some of its contents are similar to the standards of the EU. But I want to point out that it's very important to implement the law well. For example, different quality inspection authorities should cooperate under the law. In general, this is a comprehensive law. I believe that it will lay a good foundation for the observation and inspection of China's food safety."

The spokesperson has urged European consumers to regain confidence in China's food safety as the country tightens its quality inspections. And she expects a boom in food trade between the EU and China on the basis of safety and good quality.

XYee, CRI news.