CHINA: A European Union (EU) commisioner says China must take more action to ensure products are safe before exporting them

The European Union (EU) Commissioner for Health Markos Kyprianou said on Wednesday (September 12) that China must step up measures to prevent unsafe products from leaving the country and entering Europe. Kyprianou said Europeans are very worried about the recent spate of recalls of products made in China because of safety issues. A series of scandals involving sub-standard Chinese exports ranging from pet food, fish and toothpaste to toys has heaped pressure on Beijing to clean up its manufacturing sector. "The fact that the European Union has a more subtle and more quiet approach on this issue does not mean that we are not as much concerned about food safety and the protection of European citizens as any other trading partner," said Kyprianou at a news conference in Beijing. China's government insists the problem is a limited one, that the huge majority of its exports are up to standard and that the Western media in particular has been irresponsible in its reporting on the issue, intentionally fanning the flames. Although numerous factories that were involved in product safety were closed down by the Chinese government, Kyprianou said it was more important to catch the problem at source rather than punish the companies afterward. "It's not the issue of finding the guilty and punishing them which is taking place but the point of preventing the violation of taking place. This preventing work is where we need to see improvement in China," he said. Kyrpianou's trip to China included high level meetings in Beijing concerning food safety issues. The commissioner met with China's quality control and inspection watchdog Li Changjiang to discuss related topics. In the latest recall incident, the world's leading toymaker, Mattel Inc, said it would take back more than 800,000 units of Fisher-Price models and Barbie brand playsets because of "impermissible" levels of lead. China has promised to crack down on errant companies, most recently those making fake alcoholic spirits. But it has insisted that foreign manufacturers, who have flocked to the country in recent years to take advantage of ultra-low wages, also bear a responsibility for ensuring their designs are safe. Ministers have said the sudden upsurge in complaints about made-in-China goods and recalls has exposed a protectionist agenda.

ITN Source | September 12, 2007

Tags:. .worried. .western. .preventing. .pressure. .eu