Laos, China partner in quality control of agricultural exports

Laos will soon have a high-quality facility to ensure the required international hygiene standards of plant and animal products as well as providing training.
A Memorandum of Understanding on a project to build the facility was signed in Vientiane recently by the Director General of the Agriculture Department, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Mr Chantha Thipphavongphanh, and the Chairman of Yunnan Yuzhan Agriculture Development Co., Ltd., Ms Liang Yali.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Mr Chantha said the two parties would build offices, a research room, plant and animal hygiene testing laboratory and an integrated training centre, as well as set up exhibitions of agricultural products.
Lao officials working in the sector will learn about accepted standards in the inspection of plants, animals and plant products as well as legally required product hygiene standards.
The project will enhance cooperation between Laos and China, and will facilitate the export of plants, animals and plant products to China. It will also serve to strengthen the two countries’ agricultural economies as well as socio-economic development, and result in more income for local people, Mr Chantha said.
Ms Liang Yali said this cooperation would upgrade agricultural standards in Laos and ensure that agricultural products were of better quality.
To further the success of the National Socio-economic Development Plan as well as meet the targets of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, the agriculture and forestry sector is bolstering the quality of agricultural production to ensure the safety of exported plants and animals to China and other countries, Mr Chantha said.
Products sold to China and further afield must comply with set standards for imports on the basis of international hygiene regulations, including those laid down by the World Trade Organisation and other international trade bodies.
The ultimate goal is for goods exported by Laos to fulfil specified quality control standards, Mr Chantha added.

By Siladda Souliyong
(Latest Update October 16, 2019)