A delegation led by Jari Koskinen (Finnish Minister of Agriculture and Forestry), had 2 days visit to Agro-Environmental Protection Institute (AEPI) from 27th to 28th February. 
 

Ms Sun Guifeng from the Department of international Cooperation of the Ministry of Agriculture (MOA) said, given long-term cooperation between Finland and China, specifically between Chinese Ministry of Agriculture and Finnish Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, a "Five-Year Cooperation Plan" has to be preceded by a second group meeting for Sino-Finnish agricultural cooperation so as to determine subsequent moves, promote the establishment and operation of Sino-Finnish joint demonstration farm, and provide a cooperation platform for agricultural development and innovation of the two countries. She is confidence that scientific institutes and enterprises of both countries will make full use of the platform to deepen cooperation on biomass, agro-environmental protection, livestock & poultry manure as well as sewage treatment.

Director Ren Tianzhi and Zhang Keqiang, a reseach fellow and Chief Scientist from Livestock Breeding Pollution Control Team, presented the status quo, position and progress of AEPI, and submitted three proposals on the establishment of Sino-Finnish joint demonstration farm in Tianjin, the co-foundation of Sino-Finnish Joint Agro-environment Technology Lab, and the joint declaration of international cooperation projects.

Jari Koskinen supported and appreciated the practical ideas and actions of AEPI, he encouraged Agri-food Research in Finland (MTT) and AEPI to have further discussion on subsequent cooperation, and come out with the fine foundation of Sino-Finnish joint demonstration farm in Tianjin.

The officials from Tianjin Municipal Commissions of Agriculture and Science & Technology stressed to support to the Sino-Finnish scientific cooperation on agro-environment.

The visit was wrapped up by an inspection tour at Tianjin Ninghe Native Swine Farm and Tianjin Today Health Dairy Co., Ltd. The delegation from Finland was accompanied by 40-odd deputies from Finnish Embassy in China, FINPRO, Finnish Fur Breeders' Association, HKScan, Pellon Group Oy and other business entities.