EU Tour –Meeting with DG Xavier Prats Monné (DG SANTE)

2016-01-25 | Beijing

EU Tour –Meeting with DG Xavier Prats Monné (DG SANTE)

Ÿ   XPM welcomed the Chamber delegation and tour de table.

Ÿ   MH updated the counterparts on the recent business environment development in China and the challenges EU business are facing in China.

Ÿ   XPM introduced the priorities of DG SANTE for China, including food safety, market access, antimicrobial resistance and pharmacy. DG SANTE will seek better engagement between EU and China.  Meanwhile, the DG SANTE faced difficulties in advocacy efforts in China and the Member States and the EU are having different issues as well as strategies towards China. The DG SANTE has submitted 4 lobby letters to different Chinese ministries and follow up actions have been undergoing.

Ÿ   ND addressed the difficulties for the healthcare equipment industry to lobby in China. China has launched the “buy China” campaign in several provinces in the procurements for healthcare facilities which create market access barriers for the EU business in China.

Ÿ   ZZ introduced the new legislations for infant formula products as well as the food for special medical purpose and the revision of the standard for cheese and hoped that DG SANTE can work with DG TRADE and DG AGRI together to promote the interests of European industry. Best practice sharing by EU to China will be very helpful to facilitate trade between EU and China.

Ÿ   RDM mentioned that imported food becomes more and more popular in China which is a very good opportunity for EU SMEs. Meanwhile, the products from EU has to compete with products from Australia and New Zealand which have free trade agreements with China. And Chinese standards sometimes create market barriers for EU food.

Ÿ   XPM thanked the representatives for the information and encouraged the Chamber to continue keeping DG SANTE alert of all the issues. DG SANTE will continue the engagement work with China. DG SANTE will host a workshop with the CFDA in March focusing on pharmaceutic and food safety. This could be an opportunity to address the interests from EU business.