2012.11.27  Shanghai —— Featuring the topics of “Food Safety & Environment Health”, the 3rd Bayer-Tongji-UNEP Forum for Sustainable Development is held today at the city campus of Tongji University. Under the three way cooperation between the enterprise, academia and International Organization, this year’s  forum discusses the challenging issues of “food safety and environment health”, and its influences to people’s health under new scenario of a fast developing economy. The forum has been successfully held for three times, the former themes are “Climate Change” and “Eco-City”.

Food safety is a pressing issue China faces today, With the completion of the related food safety policies by the government, the safety of every linkage in the food chain is getting more and more attention. In the morning session, From planting, processing, distribution to retailing, it is necessary to improve the current production and management, adopting new technology and improving the service level, to meet the customer needs in buying safer and more nutritious food. The modern food chain also claims a “Farm – to- Table” management system which can be traced throughout the whole food production process. It also requires the farmers, processors, wholesalers and retailers to cooperation with each other more closely to reduce the risk and upgrade the food standards.   In this session, Bayer’s food chain project partner, Mr. Reust, from Star Farm consulting introduces the “Food Chain” concept, meanwhile, Mr. JIAN Guangzhou, Food Safety commentator and Prof. WANG Xichang from Shanghai Ocean University also shared their knowledge and experiences in food safety issue.

At the 18th Party Conference, China has precisely raised the one of the development goals as :”construct the eco culture”. This new goal brings new challenges on how to develop a green economy, optimize the resources, and harmonize human’s activities and the nature. Many experts from enterprises, academia and government organizations gather together, discussing the trends, emerging issues in every aspect of the green economy. Mr. Johannes Dietsch, President of Bayer Group in Greater China emphasizes in his opening remarks: “As an enterprise, Bayer is very willing to share the advanced technologies and experiences with China counterparts in better utilizing resources, improving energy efficiency, reduce the carbon emission and etc…”.  Prof. YANG Min, director from State Key Laboratory of Environmental Aquatic Chemistry, Dr. Klaus Shaefer, President of Bayer Materials China, Dr. Glen Daigger, President of International Water Association, and Ms. WANG Qian from WWF delivered key note speech and participated the panel discussion.

Bayer-Tongji-UNEP Forum for Sustainable Development is a platform under Bayer-Tongji Chair for Sustainable Development. It has been successfully held for three times. It aims to promote the sustainable development concept and awareness through open dialogues between the industry, academia, and government agents. The forum features a key topic annually, integrating the ideas and cases from different aspects in terms of economy, academy, and the society, boosting the promotion and practice of sustainable development.  Prof. PEI Gang, president of Tongji University  extended his warm greeting to the forum at his opening remarks: “We have seen a fruitful cooperation between Bayer and Tongji in the sustainable development field, we expect to contribute to China’s sustainable development and policy making.”  Mr. Dietsch also address in his speech: “Bayer has been actively involved in boosting a multi-collaboration platform for better solutions in sustainable development, meanwhile to promote the concept to the public.”