The agreement supports the already existing China-UK Sustainable Development Dialogue (SDD) signed by the Chinese Ministry of Agriculture and the UK Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA).
After being originally proposed at the UK-China Partners in Science Conference in North West China, a business plan was created after consultation with Chinese stake-holders, bilateral agencies, and international organizations.
in December 2008, the Ministry of Agriculture (MOA) and Department of Environment, food and Rural Affairs accepted and adopted the new policy.
Encourage and grow research on environmentally sustainable agriculture and its relevance to local, national, and the global economy.
Gather important actors, such as farmers and policy makers, and educate them on environmentally sustainable agriculture issues.