Albanese Labor Government signs new organics agreement

The Albanese Labor Government continues to strengthen agricultural ties with China after signing an important new agreement earlier this week that establishes new areas for collaboration and co-operation on organic goods.

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Julie Collins MP, met with her counterpart from China’s State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) Minister Luo Wen at Australian Parliament House today, signing a Letter of Intent on Cooperation in the Field of Organic Products Certification.

While China is currently Australia’s sixth largest market for organic exports by volume, the two nations do not have an organics equivalency agreement.

Cooperation under this agreement will look at opportunities for more efficient trade of organic goods exports.

The agreement provides a mechanism for Australia’s Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) and China’s SAMR to cooperate on sharing information on organic product standards and certification to promote trade.

DAFF and SAMR will now collaborate, aiming to progress this Letter of Intent to a Memorandum of Understanding and a further extension of the renewed partnership between Australia and our largest export market. 

Quotes attributable to Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Julie Collins MP: 

“The Albanese Labor Government has been working hard to stabilise our relationship with China, especially within the areas of agricultural trade and exports” 

“With our patient, calibrated, and deliberate approach, we are restoring Australian trade with China, our largest export market.

“With this process now advancing, we can look toward creating new opportunities.

“This letter of intent will strengthen bilateral cooperation and promote the trade and exchange of information in the field of organic products.  

“It covers cooperating and sharing of information in relation to organic product standards, and organic product certification.

“This is another example of how the Albanese Labor Government has been able to create more opportunities of mutual benefit with China.”