On Nov. 4, 2015, Prof. Li Jiayang, Vice Minister of Agriculture and President of Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS) met with the visiting delegation headed by Mr. Marc Mortureux, Director General of French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health & Safety (ANSES). The two sides exchanged views on strengthening cooperation in agricultural science and technology, and re-signed new Memorandum of Understanding.


Prof. Li Jiayang welcomed Mr. Marc Mortureux and briefed the new changes of agricultural development in China and the achievements on discipline layout, talent team building and international cooperation in CAAS especially after the launch of the Agricultural Science and Technology Innovation Program (ASTIP) in 2013. He emphasised that ASTIP aims to organize various aspects of scientific research strength to promote the cooperative innovation, and thereby provide a strong scientific and technological support for the development of modern agriculture in China.

Prof. Li Jiayang said the friendly exchanges between China and France in economic and cultural aspects promoted the agricultural science and technology cooperation for both sides. The initial Memorandum between the two institutions was signed in December 2010. the two sides have carried out fruitful cooperation in the field of plant protection, biological material exchange, animal virology and zoonotic aspects of diseases so far. Li hoped that two sides will strengthen cooperation in the areas of animal and plant disease control, plant protection and alien invasive species through the joint laboratories and joint applying the EU Horizon Project (Horizon 2010).

Marc agreed with Li’s opinion. He said ANSES pays close attention to the health of human, animals and plants, and is committed to reducing pesticide and antibiotic administration. The cooperation between ANSES and CAAS has achieved remarkable success, ANSES is willing to strengthen cooperation in the fields of common interest of science and technology, to carry out the exchanges of biological material, and to jointly address the new challenges facing both countries.