Knowledge sharing and mutual learning platform

About Us

The link between UK and China in the agriculture, food  and environment sector is becoming increasingly strong and diverse:

  • In January 2015, a new MoU between the UK Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) and Chinese Ministry of Agriculture (MoA) was signed in Beijing to replace the one signed in 2008.  The new MoU brings the cooperation between the two governments to a new phase of knowledge sharing and innovation.
  • UK food exports to China is soaring, China has become the second largest UK food export market outside EU after USA;
  • An Agricultural Counsellor was appointed and posted to the British Embassy in Beijing to further strengthen the agri-food trade;
  • Newton Fund has allocated over £30 million to support the UK-China joint research on agri-tech innovation, improved management of agricultural nitrogen, sustainable rice production, and critical zone science.
  • Chinese President Xi’s visit to the UK in October 2015 started the “golden era” of the relationship between the two countries.
  • There is increasing enthusiasm in the UK and China to explore more opportunities for cooperation in the agri-food sector.

The UK China Knowledge Sharing and Mutual Learning Platform (KSMLP) has been established to (i) support the implementation of UK China cooperation initiatives in agriculture, food and environment sectors; (ii) promote cross-disciplinary collaborations; (iii) enhance communication and engagement amongst existing initiatives and stakeholders to maximize synergies and support policy development, and (iv) foster new cooperative partnerships.