U.S., China renew ag trade cooperation pact

U.S., China renew ag trade cooperation pact    The United States and China on Tuesday renewed a memorandum of understanding on bilateral cooperation in scientific research and agricultural trade between the two countries.
   The original MOU signed in August 2003 established a Joint Committee on Cooperation in Agriculture (JCCA), which meets at least once every two years alternately in the United States and China.
   “With two-way agricultural trade reaching nearly $15 billion, it is not surprising that there are issues that require coordination,” said U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, in a statement. “The renewal of this MOU is an indication of the importance that both countries place on cooperation and working together.”
   Minister of Agriculture Sun Zhengcai was in Washington to sign the renewed agreement on behalf of China.
   The next JCCA meetings are scheduled for Oct. 22 in Washington. Vilsack will then travel to China along with Commerce Secretary Gary Locke and U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk to participate in the U.S.-China Joint Commission on Commerce and Trade in Hangzhou on Oct. 29.