U.S., China Renew Co-op Agreement

WASHINGTONAgriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and Chinas Minister of Agriculture Sun Zhengcai to the United States renewed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on bilateral cooperation in scientific research and agricultural trade between the two countries. The original MOU signed in August 2003 established a Joint Committee on Cooperation in Agriculture (JCCA), which meets at least once every two years alternately in the United States and China.

"Since China joined the WTO in 2001, it has become our fourth largest market for agricultural exports," Vilsack said. "With two-way agricultural trade reaching nearly $15 billion, it is not surprising that there are issues that require coordination. The renewal of this MOU is an indication of the importance that both countries place on cooperation and working together. The MOU solidifies the JCCA to develop and guide future collaboration between the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Chinese Ministry of Agriculture."