In the past few days, the Xiaoshan Inspection and Quarantine Bureau has reported that 9716 batches of vegetables were exported from the administrative region between 2011 and 2016. Nine of these export batches were given a notification because they tested positive for an excessive amount of pesticides and micro-organisms. The bureau has reminded the Xiaoshan vegetable export enterprises that when choosing a pesticide, they have to be aware of the standards for pesticides in agricultural products in the country they are exporting to. This is to avoid high-risk pesticides and to ensure that the export of agricultural products can run smoothly.
One example is Japan, a major importer of agricultural products and food. About 60% of the agricultural products in Japan are imported, and Chinese agriculture is a major source of those products. Ever since the 'fixed list system' measure, the safety inspections of agricultural products have clearly been strengthened, strongly increasing the requirements for imported goods. As a result, in the past few years, China has been losing exports to Japan because there are repeated problems with illegal pesticide residues. In view of that situation, enterprises have to follow the rules of the related country rigidly. When they produce, distribute and use any logistic segment, they have to reinforce supervision and put an end to the use of strong pesticides and derived products that are clearly forbidden by the agricultural department. They have to adhere to the restricted standards of pesticides rigorously.
The Bureau has suggested to the related enterprises that a new trend for measures be put in motion to pay more attention to the residual pesticide standards of relating importing countries towards imported agricultural products. This can be done within the actual production process to guarantee that high-risk pesticide varieties aren't applied and make sure that a better result is achieved with products that are accepted within the standards. It follows that the Xiaoshan Inspection and Quarantine Bureau will strengthen its file management of the cultivation bases and the regulations for the use of agricultural pesticides. The bureau will strictly enforce those regulations on the key segments of production and distribution to perfect the health and safety system of food production enterprises.
