Fotocredit: Austrian Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, Regions and Water Management
From February 29th to March 1st the Austrian Federal Minister for Agriculture, Forestry, Regions and Water Management, Mag. Norbert Totschnig, traveled to China with the aim of fostering the cooperation in the agricultural and timber construction sector.
In course of his visit, he met with the General Administration of Customs, the National Forestry and Grassland Administration, and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs. Besides H.E. Mr. Totschnig also opened the first Sino-Austrian Wood Construction Zero-Carbon Building Technology Conference, a co-organized conference of the Technology & Industrialization Center of the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development and the Commercial Section of the Austrian Embassy.
Thanks to intensive preparations on both sides, two SPS protocols could be signed during the official meeting with Minister Yu of the General Administration of Customs.
Pork meat
Since 2015 Austria is authorized to export frozen pork carcasses to China. Therefore, 6 Austrian meat establishments have been registered with GACC. In 2023 around 5,000 tons of Austrian pork have been shipped to China.
On February 29th, 2024, this protocol has been extended to pork by-products. In the future, Austrian pork meat producers that are registered with the GACC will be able to supply parts such as offal, feet and heads, which are considered special delicacies in China.
Milk
Austria has been supplying cow's milk and milk products to China for several years. 22 Austrian dairy establishments are approved by GACC. During the meeting between the two ministers, the SPS protocol on milk has been extended to sheep and goat milk and milk products.
Austria has a long tradition in the production and processing of meat and milk products. Food quality and safety is a key concern along the whole supply chain: from the farmers, processing companies and competent authorities until the final consumers. Through these protocols Chinese consumers will be able to enjoy more high-quality Austrian food products.
