On September 6th, IPP Deputy Director General ZHENG Yongquan, met with Mr. Peter LANDON-LANE, the CEO of Plant & Food Research (PFR), New Zealand, and the high level delegation he led. The members of the delegation included Mr. Andrew von DADELSZEN and Mr. Colin DAWSON, directors of the Board, Mr. Gavin ROSS, General Manager Business Development, and Liverpool ZHANG, Business Development Manager. The two parties exchanged views on promoting collaboration and communication. Dr. CHEN Julian, the director of the Department of International Cooperation and Graduate Student, chaired the meeting.

DDG ZHENG greeted warmly Mr. LANDON-LANE and his colleagues and hoped to enhance collaboration and exchange between the two sides. Director CHEN briefed basic situation in subject construction, scientific research, international cooperation and exchange, etc., at IPP. Mr. LANDON-LANE introduced the research areas, sources of funding, and areas of priority for international cooperation at PFR. He expressed the willingness to collaborate deeply with IPP in areas of plant protection. The participants discussed soon afterwards the current research status and cooperation intention in biological control, pesticide residue and the monitoring. The visit paid by Mr. LANDON-LANE and his colleagues enhanced the mutual understanding and expanded the collaboration consensus. Dr. XU Xuenong, the deputy director of the Department of Biological Control, Dr. DONG Fengshou, the deputy director of the Department of Pesticide Sciences, Dr. NONG Xiangqun, Professor of the Department of Weed Science, Rodent Biology and Rangeland Protection and Dr. WANG Lixia, the deputy director of the Department of International Cooperation and Graduate Student, attended this meeting.

It was learnt that CAAS and PFR signed the MOU on the establishment of the international crops research strategic economic partnership agreement in August, 2015. The both sides will strengthen joint R&D, technical innovation and personnel exchange in breeding for fruit trees and vegetables, disease and insect pest control and food quality and safety.