U.S. REACHES DEAL TO EXPORT TOBACCO, POTATOES TO CHINA
The U.S. Department of Agriculture said that China will adopt regulations to allow imports of U.S.-grown tobacco and potatoes.
Chinese agriculture officials will join USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service on Aug. 25 to review U.S. tobacco fields. Imports of tobacco to China could begin as early as Nov. 30.
China also plans to begin importing U.S. seed potatoes from Alaska and tablestock potatoes from Alaska, Washington and Oregon. The three states have been traditionally free from pests and diseases commonly associated with potato crops.
The Chinese also agreed to do away with the requirement that addresses to appear on shipments of U.S. citrus. The requirement has led to confusion at Chinese ports and delayed distribution of U.S. citrus shipments.
The potential for agricultural exports to China is estimated to be about $2 billion a year by 2005.