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New EU Standard May Cut Tea Exports
Representatives of China's tea industry are alarmed by the possibility that the European Union (EU) might adopt more stringent measures limiting the use of chemicals in imported tea.
They fear such a move could cut into the nation's tea exports, which they say is high quality.
An EU committee appears likely to recommend that the 15-nation union further reduce the allowable amount of some chemicals found in imported tea.
In China, agricultural chemicals, such as fertilizers, are used to help ensure a good harvest of tea.
East China's Zhejiang Province is one of the country's major tea exporting areas.
"Starting from last year, we have been conducting strict examinations on all tea exported from the province," said Xu Hairong, a professor with the tea research institute of Zhejiang University.
The examinations determine the level of about 11 different agricultural chemicals that the European Union is concerned about, Xu said.
"In this way, I would say that we are ready for the challenge," Xu added.
Zhejiang exports 70,000 tons to 80,000 tons of tea each year, accounting for more than one-third of China's total exports of tea.
Some 4,000 tons to 5,000 tons go to Europe.
Xu said 20 to 30 per cent of the province's total tea exports could be affected this year, as they might contain at least one of the chemicals that might be subject to more stringent EU standards.
An official from the provincial tea import and export corporation said more European consumers are developing a taste for green tea, which is the major product of Zhejiang.
"Given the greater demand for green tea and the likelihood of tougher import standards, we are now planning to export more organic tea that uses no fertilizer at all," said Wang Gang, an official from the Zhejiang Technological Supervision Bureau.
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