Sino-Dutch Dairy Expertise Centre Launched in China
NETHERLANDS and CHINA - On 2 December, the First Anniversary Celebration of the Sino-Dutch Dairy Development Centre (SDDDC) & the Launch Ceremony for the Dutch Dairy Expertise Centre was held in Beijing. At the event, a review of the work and achievements made over the past year was conducted.
12 December 2014
4 minute read
The Dutch Dairy Expertise Centre was also officially launched. This centre marks the further deepening of the Sino-Dutch partnership in dairy sector.
The SDDDC was set up by China Agricultural University (CAU), Wageningen UR and Royal FrieslandCampina N.V., in the context of strengthening dairy cooperation between China and the Netherlands. It aims to improve the food safety, quality and productivity of the Chinese dairy chain by sharing Dutch dairy expertise.
Since being established a year ago, the SDDDC has carried out a series of scientific research and exchange activities, including personnel training, dairy subject research, Dutch farm and industry visits, and communication between experts and scholars, as well as the investigation and analysis of the development of the Chinese and Dutch dairy industries. It has also compiled and issued the White Paper on China's Dairy Industry 2014, which has gained the wide attention of those in the dairy industry.
As a scientific research and training base, the Dutch Dairy Expertise Centre will provide a brand new development philosophy for the dairy industry and serve as a platform for demonstration, scientific research, technological exchanges, and the transformation of scientific achievements for practitioners in the Chinese dairy sector.
The facility facilitates the transfer of the Netherlands’ expertise in this sector to China, including high-level feeding practices, advanced breeding research and technology, as well as sustainable development. It is consistent with the goal of achieving all-round cooperation within the dairy industry chain that was strongly advocated by the Chinese and Dutch governments during President Xi Jinping's visit to the Netherlands earlier this year.
Aart Jacobi, the Dutch Ambassador to China, said that the SDDDC sets a good example of the cooperation between the two countries in the field of agriculture. Jacobi also stated that the activities of SDDDC fit very well within the Framework Agreement on Dairy Industry Development Cooperation between the Ministry of Agriculture of the P.R of China and the Ministry of Economic Affairs of the Netherlands that was signed during the state visit of President Xi Jinping to the Netherlands.
Cees 't Hart, CEO of Royal FrieslandCampina N.V., said that the SDDDC is committed to share the Netherlands' in depth experience and knowledge on advanced dairy production and management concepts. Through mutual learning and communication, the centre will help China increase the productivity, quality, and safety levels of its entire dairy chain, attain a higher level of scientific, technical and managerial talent, as well as achieve advantageous complementarities. Cees ‘t Hart mentioned that smart co-operation throughout the entire dairy chain is key in reaching goals and sustain the desired situation. For that reason SDDDC and FrieslandCampina thrive for further partnership, both with Chinese and Dutch players.
Ke Bingsheng, President of China Agricultural University, said that the SDDDC adapts to the current needs of China's dairy industry, which are safety, efficiency, and sustainable development. It is believed the centre will further strengthen the "golden triangle" formed by the government, scientific research institutions, and enterprises, as well as continuously improve the quality of domestic dairy products. It will be conducive to increasing the trust of Chinese consumers in domestic dairy products.
Professor Louise Fresco, President of the Executive Board of Wageningen University and Research Centre, stated that the SDDDC will continue to strengthen its communication with the Chinese dairy industry on a scientific and technological level. Wageningen UR is a world leading knowledge institute in such topics as dairy production and processing, food safety, feed, and grassland- and farm management’s, and its contribution to the SDDDC will promote the Sino-Dutch dairy cooperation to a higher level. It will also help the Chinese dairy industry realize better industry-university-research cooperation. In addition, the interdisciplinary approach that Wageningen UR is famous for, can greatly contribute to the future success of the SDDDC and the Chinese dairy sector.
The Dutch company CRV, which is the third largest artificial breeding company in the world, became a new member of the SDDDC at the event. Li Shengli, Director of the Sino-Dutch Dairy Development Centre, said that the knowledge and experience of CRV on breeding and herd-management provides added value for the activities of SDDDC. Li also stated that SDDDC is open to further partnership and he hopes more partners will join the organization in the future and work together to promote the development of both the Chinese and Dutch dairy industries.
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