Report NSP mission to Bejing 5-6 Sep. 2010
The delegation attended two discussion sessions with its partner in Beijing – the
China Research Academy of Environmental Science (CRAES). Mr. Li Fasheng, the
director general of soil department of CRAES, Mr Zhang Shanling, director of soil
(Chinese Ministry of Environmental Protection) participated in the discussions with
NSP. NSP has established a sound relationship with CRAES over the last few years.
Both NSP and CRAES assisted in the Government to Government cooperation project
between the Dutch and Chinese ministry of Environmental protection in the field of
soil. The project includes three session of training in different perspectives on the
management of contaminated soils for Chinese officials. The training project should
result in carrying out a demonstration project in China by using the Dutch expertise.
CRAES and NSP members discussed several possibilities with different types of
contamination in Beijing and other provinces. For details of the potential
demonstration projects see the power point presentation by CRAES.
Report NSP mission to Gansu 6-10 Sep. 2010
The delegation was headed by NSP chairman Mr Harry Vermeulen, supported by
director Mr John Jansse and China liaison officer Mr Jan Japenga. Research institutes
RIVM and Wageningen University Research Institute as well as companies like
Deltares, DHV, Arcardis and Holland Environment Technology participated in the
mission.
Rationale for the NSP mission to Gansu
In September of 2006, 334 children were poisoned by lead in Longnan city, in the
province of Gansu. The incident was caused by a local metallurgy factory and
attracted the attention of the local and central government. According to
investigations of the local Environmental Protection Board (EPB) 400 M2 soil was
polluted with a concentration of lead 12 times higher than the background value.
One after another incident of a similar nature occurred in Gansu province. Gansu is
located in the mid-west region of China. Gansu is endowed with rich mineral
resources, resulting in a multitude of mining activities and metallurgy factories. At
the same time, however, Gansu has considerable agriculture production. Many
farmers use industrial waste water for irrigation or drink from contaminated wells.
In 2008 the Gansu Agriculture Academy of Science (GAAS) was introduced to the
Netherlands Soil Partnership. Deputy director general Prof. Ma Zhongming was very
interested in cooperation and invited Dr Jan Japenga and the late Peter Doelman for
a fact-finding mission to Gansu Province.
The cause of most agricultural problems in the area stems not from cultivation but
from industry pollution. Pollution particularly poses high risks to human health,
through the consumption of food products. The responsibility for soil matters
therefore falls on not only the environmental protection department but also on the
agriculture department. GAAS was very interested in
Netherlands in order to find a solution for local problems.
cooperation
with
the
Another factor facilitating cooperation is the “Go West” strategy of the Chinese
government. The central government is making large resources (financial and
otherwise) available for provinces in the middle and west region of China, among
them Gansu. Gansu has recently been quite successful in attracting this
policy/financial support from the central government.
Long term result of the mission
1. Official establishment of the Technology Transfer Center (TTC) at Gansu
Agriculture Academy of Science (GAAS)
Description: Witnessed and supported by the vice Governor Mr Hao Yuan, the
working agreement between NSP and GAAS for TTC was signed. It is an
important symbolic moment to officially establish the TTC in Gansu province.
In the future the TTC will act as a platform, offer concrete
technology/knowledge demand of technology from Gansu (and surrounding
region). In order to offer more opportunities for NSP partners, the TTC will
gradually include several partners such as local industry, the environmental
protection bureau and research center, the local city spatial planning bureau.
2. Participation in a land management project (sustainable city planning and
development), with the support of the Governor.
Description: Baiyin city (Chinese for “silver” city) has produced many kinds of
metal products in past decades. However, the mineral resources in this region
will be exhausted in the coming years. The local government is planning to
promote a more sustainable economic growth for the city. Most of the
contaminated agricultural lands may not be economically feasible to
remediate. A feasibility study for more attractive solutions for land
management is therefore called for.
3. Identify industrial remediation projects
Description: Food safety is an important issue for the agriculture department.
For that reason GAAS is very keen on cooperation with the Netherlands.
However, in order to essentially stop pollution, industries have to take
measures. Hopefully in the future, through cooperation with relevant Gansu
governmental departments, NSP will be able to offer opportunities in various
environmental fields.
Short term results of the mission
This visit resulted in the following short term results
1. Possible demonstration project at Yongdeng County: Waste water irrigation,
causes productivity decreases and possible risks for human habitation via the
passing of agriculture product.
2. Possible demonstration project at Baiyin City: Agriculture site contaminated
by fluorine. Carry out research project and investigate the best possibilities
for treatment.
3. Wageningen student study program in Gansu
4. GAAS will participate in the Wageningen University/China Soil Research
Institute energy cropping project.
5. A visit to the Netherlands by Gansu governmental departments in December
2010
Annexes
-
Visiting program
-
MoU Technology Transfer Center (TTC)
-
Potential projects in Gansu Province
-
Potential projects description
-
Matrix cooperation content filled in by Gansu Agriculture Academy of Science
-
The plan for TTC – input by Gansu Agriculture Academy of Science
-
Time table and responsibilities for cooperation
-
Fact finding mission reports by Dr. Jan Japenga and the late Peter Doelman
-
Presentation by Prof. Li Fasheng - China Research Academy of Environmental
Science