THE CHALLENGE OF CONFORMING TO SANITARY AND PHYTOSANITARY MEASURES FOR CHINA'S AGRICULTURAL EXPORTS

China's bilateral trade in food and agricultural products has grown dramatically since the country's entry into the World Trade Organization (WTO). However, the country faces significant problems related to sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) compliance because of increasing concerns about food safety, stricter SPS requirements in trade, and competitiveness in export markets. China's food and agricultural industry will need to address the SPS issues and make significant changes in production and distribution methods in order to gain wider access to world markets. This study provides a systematic and comprehensive analysis of current Chinese SPS conditions, the food safety regulatory system, production environment, inspection technology, and information systems. In addition, China's progress on resolving SPS problems and ability to adjust to the current SPS measures it faces in world markets are discussed