Organic agriculture development has mainly been in the hands of government institutions. In 1989, when seeking ways to reduce environmental pollution and soil erosion, improve agricultural ecosystems and enhance biodiversity, the Rural Ecology Sector of the Nanjing Institute of Environment Sciences of the State Environment Protection Administration joined IFOAM as the first member from China. Market demand from developed countries was another initial driving force for organic production. Certification is considered the main factor for development of organic farming, and the elaboration of Chinese standards, certification and accreditation has been a strong focus. The Chinese National Organic Products Standard was implemented in 2005. Based on the IFOAM standards and complying with Codex Alimentarius, EU Regulation 2092/91, and the NOP, the Chinese organic standard is among the most stringent in the world. Certification and the use of the national logo are mandatory for organic products. The Certification and Accreditation Administration of China (CNCA) approved 29 control bodies by 2006. Organically managed land covered 978,000 ha in 2005. The main organic products are cereals, beans, and tea. Export accounts for more than half of the total value of organic products, 2.2 billion RMB in 2004. The main export markets are the USA, EU, Japan, and some Southeast Asia countries. The domestic market value is only 0.2 billion RMB. Although hampered by high prices, the domestic organic market has increased rapidly in recent years. In 2004, 11 ministries from the central government of China issued a ‘Recommendation to Promote Organic Food Industry Development.’ This is considered the first central government document to bring forward policies supporting the organic sector, including detailed rules for subsidies to organic. _{(Building Sustainable Organic Sectors 2008)}

Biofach China -exhibition for traders

China Quality Certification Center -Under Certification and Accreditation Administration of China (CNCA)

China Organic Regulation on Import Products .pdf