News

Wuxi (Jiangsu province) Agro Fair, on Sept 24-26, 2009
Netherlands Consulate General in Shanghai, together with NBSO Nanjing, attended the Wuxi Agro Fair, which took place at Wuxi Stadium and Exhibition Center. The event takes place once a year in Jiangsu province. One of the aims is to exchange know-how in the field of Agriculture. Actually Jiangsu is our priority province from the Consulate perspective. As the Netherlands is well-known for its agriculture in China, we are invited not only to participate, but also to deliver a presentation, namely ¡°Sustainable Horticulture in the Netherlands¡±.

Mrs Astrid Boschker, Vice consul of Economic Affairs at the Consulate, was invited to attend the grand opening ceremony. Xiaoyi Liu, Commercial assistant, and Nick Hong, Agricultural assistant of LNV Shanghai office, took care of Holland Booth. The toolkits, Highlights of Dutch Agribusiness and Visions, were used for promotion.

Mr. Jelle Alsemgeest, from Kunming Flower Group, delivered ¡°Sustainable horticulture in the Netherlands¡±. Some one hundred people in the field of agriculture listened to the presentation. Among the three presentations (the other two were from Israel and Columbia), Jelle¡¯s Sustainable Horticulture won the best performance, according to Madam Qiu, Chairwoman of CCPIT Jiangsu province.

Thanks to Mr. Erik van der Molen, Chief Representative of NBSO Nanjing. He was co-host, and also involved for the activities. Mr. Steven Wang, deputy chief of NBSO, contributed a great deal for the designing Holland booth. Therefore, this was joint-effort done by the Consulate and NBSO Nanjing.

2 - 4 September 2009 Holland Pavilion at Asia Fruit Logistica 2009
Booth Nrs. F-01 to F-12, Hall 5BC Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre

The 3rd Asia Fruit Logistica will be held in Hong Kong at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre from 2 September to 4 September, 2009. A business delegation of around 40 people from over 20 Netherlands fresh produce companies will be coming to Hong Kong to take part in this international trade fair, among which 17 companies will be presented in the Holland Pavilion. The products of the exhibitors include seed production, fresh vegetables and fruit, greenhouse and cooling system etc.

The Netherlands has a leading position in the world regarding to production, quality standards, innovation in new varieties, as well as packaging, technical skills, logistics, food safety and post harvest handling. The Netherlands is among the world’s three largest exporters of agricultural products next to the United States and France. In fact, the Netherlands accounts for more than a third of the total European export of fresh vegetables, in particular mushrooms, tomatoes, lettuce, cucumbers, cauliflower and bell peppers. It is also the world’s third largest exporter of mushrooms. During the 3-day show the Netherlands exhibitors will be looking forward to meeting interested business counterparts from Hong Kong, Mainland China and other places.

To welcome the visit of the business delegation the Netherlands Consul General to Hong Kong, Mr Schuddeboom, will host a reception at his residence. Field visits for the delegation to the Vegetable Marketing Organization, the fresh fruit market in Yaumatei and the wholesale food market will be arranged for the delegation.

The Holland Pavilion is co-organized by the Netherlands Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality and the Holland Fresh Group to explore business opportunities for the Netherlands fruit and vegetable sector. You and your colleagues are cordially invited to visit us on 2-4 September at the Asia Fruit Logistica 2009.

For enquiries please contact Consulate General of the Kingdom of the Netherlands
Tel. 2524.8187, Miss Ng

June 25th, 2009 The press conference of the Fifth IMS World Pork Conference, the Seventh China International Meat Industry Exhibition, and the Fourth China international Meat and Food Stuff Cultural Festival was conducted on June 25th in Beijing International Club.

The press conference was organized by International Meat Secretariat, China Meat Association and Qing Dao Municipal Government.

The president of CMA, Mr. Li Shuilong gave a welcome speech. He introduced the three events, invited domestic and international companies and organizations to attend the events. The vice mayor of Qingdao, Mr. Wu Tiejun introduced the general information of Qingdao and delivered the invitation on behalf of Qingdao City to the participants. Emar Gemmeke, the Veterinary and Phytosanitary Counsellor of the Embassy of the Netherlands gave a speech, he introduced the good relationship and cooperation between the Netherlands and China, and PVE and CMA, he also introduced the Dutch meat industry to the audiences. Mr. Zhou Lianwei, the president of Jinluo Food Company introduced their company. At last, Mr. Deng Fujiang, the secretary general of CMA introduced the meat industry situation of China in 2008.

The three events will be conducted in September 3-7 in Qingdao, as the same situation in last two years, Dutch pavilion is still the biggest international exhibitors of CIMIE and will be in a very good location.

June 22nd, 2009 The signing ceremony of MOU between CAU and Incotec Group B.V held in West campus of China Agricultural University

Signing ceremony of memorandum of understanding (MOU) between college of agriculture and biotechnology, China Agricultural University (CAU) and Incotec Group B.V

College of Agriculture and Biotechnology, China Agriculture University in Beijing and INCOTEC Group B.V have negotiated for the establishment of the Sino-Dutch Seed Science Center (SDSSC), in order to conducting a long term research collaboration. The signing ceremony of MOU between CAU and Incotec Group B.V held in West campus of China Agricultural University on June 22nd, 2009.

Madam WangJianhua from college of Agriculture and Biotechnology, CAU chaired the meeting. There were a lot of important people participated in the meeting and gave speeches, for example: in Chinese side, Mr.DongRenjia, Director of Office of Internatial relations, CAU, Mr.LiZhaohu, Dean of college of Agriculture and Biotechnology, CAU and Mr.SunBaoqi, Vice governor of Haidian District Municipal Government etc have attended the meeting; and in the Netherlands side, Mr.JanWillen Breukink, CEO & President of Incotec B.V; Mr. Bob Legro, global director researcher of Incotec Group B.V and Mr.Jan Fongers, Asia Leader of Wageningen University have attended the meeting.

In order to support Sino-Dutch cooperation in the field of agriculture and in science and technology, underlines the interest between two countries, and corresponding the agree minutes of HLM of cooperation in the filed of science and technology between China and the Netherlands, Mr. Emar Gemmeke, Veterinary and Phytosanitary Counselor of Netherlands’ Embassy, and Mr.Eric van Kooy, Science and Technology counselor have attended the meeting.

The ceremony was carried on in honest and friendly atmosphere.

June 21-22, 2009 International forum on food safety and ecological safety in Beijing.

The forum was organized by United Nationals University, Public Advice International Foundation, China foundation for International Studies and International Eco-Safety Cooperative Organization. The themes of the forum are “New regulations, new technologies, and new opportunities”. Emar Gemmeke, the Veterinary and Phytosanitary Counsellor of the Embassy of the Netherlands delivered a presentation “Case for sustainable food production” in the forum.

May 16-20, 2009 Animal Husbandry and Feed Industry Expo
and Global Pig Forum conducted in Chengdu

CAHE2009 in Chengdu in from May 14-19, there are 1015 exhibitors and 43,000 visitors coming from 30 countries involved in the 3-day events. Global Pig Forum attracted 500 attendees covering 12 countries and 12 key speakers from 6 international associations. Total 13 Dutch companies attended the expo, and some Dutch experts attended the Global Pig Forum.

During the Expo, the Department of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality of the Netherlands Embassy organized a seminar named “Innovative Feed systems for Animal Production in China” in Chengdu. The Dutch trade mission also visited the pig farm in Jianyang City and visited New Hope Group, one of the biggest feed companies of China.

May 13, 2009 Latest news on H1N1 Infuenza A
As you will have found out through the media, the human health event Influenza A Flu (in Dutch: Mexicaanse griep) has broken out in Mexico and is spreading rapidly to other countries. It has also spread to Europe and the Netherlands. The virus has also surfaced in some countries in Asia and Oceania.

The embassy provides regular updates on the situation for humans on the general website http://www.hollandinchina.org/

Our LNV China website will focus on the situation in china for animals.

The following statement was issued jointly on 2 May 2009 by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE), the World Health Organization (WHO) and the World Trade Organization.

In light of the spread of influenza A/H1N1, and the rising concerns about the possibility of this virus being found in pigs and the safety of pork and pork products, we stress that pork and pork products, handled in accordance with good hygienic practices recommended by the WHO, FAO, Codex Alimentarius Commission and the OIE, will not be a source of infection.

To date there is no evidence that the virus is transmitted by food. There is currently therefore no justification in the OIE Terrestrial Animal Health Standards Code for the imposition of trade measures on the importation of pigs or their products.

However it is important that Veterinary Authorities should collaborate with human health counterparts to monitor pig herds for any signs of unusual illness with suspected linkages to human cases of A/H1N1 influenza.

Information available to the OIE does not indicate, at this time, that the influenza outbreak currently occurring in the United States and Mexico was preceded by an outbreak of swine influenza.

On 7 May, to avoid misunderstanding, the FAO, WHO and OIE reiterated their statement that Influenza viruses are not known to be transmissible to people through eating processed pork or other food products derived from pigs.

The General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine of the P.R. of China (AQSIQ) has prepared a website with information on H1N1 Influenza in Chinese: http://www.aqsiq.gov.cn/ztlm/zlg/ [Ying, please add the link]

The Chinese Government, among a few other governments, officially publicised has banned the import of all pig products from Mexico, the US states of Texas, Kansas, California, New York and Ohio, Alberta of Canada in an attempt to stop swine flu entering China on the AQSIQ website:

- China bans the import of pork and pork products from Mexico and several US states to minimize the risk of a swine flu outbreak
http://www.aqsiq.gov.cn/zwgk/jlgg/zjgg/2009/200904/t20090426_112335.htm
- China bans the import of pork and pork products from US New York and Ohio to minimize the risk of a swine flu outbreak
http://www.aqsiq.gov.cn/zwgk/jlgg/zjgg/2009/200904/t20090429_112901.htm
- China bans Alberta pork products
http://www.aqsiq.gov.cn/zwgk/jlgg/zjgg/2009/200905/t20090503_113152.htm

We have received information from different offical sources that the Chinese government has developed a H1N1 RT-PCR Detection Kit for swine and that AQSIQ currently requires its CIQs to test all live pigs that are imported into China.

For more information about the H1N1 flu you can go to the following English language websites:
- the World Health Organisation at www.who.int;
- the ECDC (European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control) at www.ecdc.europa.eu;
- The World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) at: www.oie.int.

April 1-4, 2009 Holland Pavilion at Hortiflorexpo Shanghai
During this year’s edition of the China Int’l Hortiflorexpo in Shanghai, the Dutch floricultural sector was once more prominently featured in a large scale Holland Pavilion on a prime location in the main exhibition hall.
Fourteen Dutch businesses (or their Chinese representatives) active in various parts of the chain presented their products in Shanghai, thus making the Holland Pavilion almost a one stop shop for the Chinese professional visitor. Participants were; Kunming Anthura Co. Ltd, Beekenkamp Group, Braam Young Plants, Chrysal, E & C Global, IBC, Javo BV, Moerheim Horti Science & Technology Co Ltd , Priva, PTC+, Rui Xue Global, Siere Handel BV, Syngenta , Jiffy & Tref Group.
In recent years, Shanghai has grown into a major consumer market for cut flowers and pot plants in China. In order to show Dutch design and creativity in this field, and thus tapping into the opportunities the growing retail market offers, demonstrations on flower arranging and product presentation were organized in the central part of the pavilion, the Holland Lounge.
On a more official level the Netherlands were also well represented. Consul General Mr. Eric Verwaal gave a speech during the opening ceremony and hosted a busy network reception and dinner for the Dutch participants and visitors and their Chinese counterparts and clients.
Organizational support by NABSO Kunming, the LNV Bureau in Beijing and the Consulate General in Shanghai towards the Holland Pavilion and relevant activities made the Dutch participation into a successful public-private initiative. The International Hortiflorexpo in Shanghai proved to be a useful business platform for the Dutch flower business active in China and their Chinese counterparts and clients.
Next year’s edition will take place in Beijing in the Beijing Exhibition Centre. Dutch companies interested in participating in the Holland Pavilion in Beijing can contact either NABSO Kunming or the LNV Bureau in Beijing for more information.

April 2, 2009 Holland Retail Day at the Hortiflorexpo Shanghai
The growing consumer demand for high quality fresh flowers in China’s big cities and the opportunities this creates for the Dutch floricultural companies active in China, were the main reasons to organize the first so-called ‘Holland Retail Day’ during the International Hortiflorexpo in Shanghai. NABSO stakeholders Chrysal and PTC+ teamed up with award winning floral designer Arjan Schep to present new trends and developments in flower arrangements, product presentation and floral care. Some 120 professional florists from all over China attended the workshops and presentations and the event drew quite some attention from the local press as well.
This first Holland Retail Day proved there’s a strong interest among Chinese professionals to pay more attention to the products they offer, not only in terms of creativity, but also when it comes to marketing concepts and sales strategies.
The Dutch parties meanwhile are looking into follow up activities such as tailor made training courses, events connected to specialized, large scale retail forums and seminars and cooperation with Chinese counterparts.

March 31-April 1, 2009 Yangtze Delta Forum
This annual forum initiated by the Flower Associations of Zhejiang, Shanghai and Jiangsu Province in cooperation with local Chinese enterprises, started in 2005 and has gradually grown into an international two-day event hosting speakers from China and abroad. The main aim of the Yangtze Delta Forum is to enhance the exchange of information and intensify cooperation in floricultural sector in the Yangtze River Delta.
The presentations on March 31st were focused on the theme ‘Innovative and sustainable development of the Chinese floricultural and horticultural industry’. Dutch contributions included presentations by Mr. Wim Granneman for the IBC (the forcing of flower bulbs on water) and Koppert Biological Systems (general introduction on integrated pest management). Furthermore, Mr. Jan de Wit, president of Jan de Wit & Zn Flowerbulbs and chairman of the working group for Asia of Anthos, the Dutch bulb trader’s association, gave a general introduction and overview of the Dutch flower bulb sector.

March 23-27, 2009 VVNH commercial travel to China on
VVNH (Vereniging Van Nederlandse Houtondememingen) delegation had a meeting with the China State Forestry Administration (SFA) on March 23rd, 2009. The meeting was organized by the Department of International Cooperation of SFA. Three representatives from other departments of SFA also attended this meeting. They were from Department of Development Plans and Fund Management, Forestry Industry Association, Department of Forestation and Department of Resources.
Mr. Paul van den Heuvel, the deputy director of VVNH was the leader of VVNH delegation. This delegation also included 3 other organizations, SKH (Stichting Keuringsbureau Hout), Houtblad and Probos (Adviesbureau). Mr.Emar gemmeke, Veterinary and Phytosaitary Counsellor of LNV Beijing office and Mrs Yan Yanqin, agricultural assistant of LNV Beijing office, were involved in the meeting.
During the meeting, both parties exchanged view about forestry situation. They also discussed the issues on illegal timber, FLEGT agreement, biomass etc.
In Shanghai, VVNH was received by Mr. Maurice Pourchez, vice consul of Economic Affairs, and Mr. Nick Hong, agricultural assistant of LNV Shanghai office. They gave the delegation presentations. Economy of Yangtze Delta region, World Expo 2010 (Netherlands participation), and Timber Industry in this region were given in the presentations.

February 2009, “NABSO Harbin in brief
Due to the short intervals of activities between January and February, NABSO Harbin was happy to close another busy Month with highlights the China Network Meeting, Winter Universiade and preparations for the upcoming period. In terms of the China Network Meeting the challenge focused on simultaneous meetings of LNV, Chief Representatives and plenary meetings as well as some new elements in the “fun parts”. Our involvement in the Winter Universiade made us realize that “being stand-by” is also an activity. Due to upcoming visits of some stakeholders and a very challenging agenda of events like missions, fairs and forums in May and June, managerial skills, sense-of-urgency and hands-on attitude were (and still are) tested in order to get things done in a smooth and speedy way.