Background
On 13 February 2023, the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Dith Tina, met with Kent D. Sission, Chief Executive Officer of the Food and Agriculture Export Alliance (FAEA), together with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) representative in Cambodia, at the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF). The discussion followed FAEA’s interest in strengthening cooperation with MAFF and drew on FAEA’s previous food safety work with countries such as Viet Nam, China and other Asian states.
During the meeting, the Minister welcomed cooperation with FAEA and noted the School Milk Program as a contribution to improved nutrition for students. The parties also exchanged views on food culture, evolving approaches to food safety, and agricultural trade between Cambodia and the United States.
Scope of Application
The potential cooperation discussed is aimed at supporting the implementation of Cambodia’s law on food and feed safety. It would concern MAFF’s responsibilities in food and feed safety oversight and relate to agricultural products traded domestically and internationally.
FAEA’s mandate, as presented, is to strengthen international food safety laws in line with international scientific standards. Its membership includes the United States Department of Agriculture, the Market Access Program (MAP), producer groups and private sector institutions, indicating a focus on regulatory alignment and technical support across borders.
Key Provisions or Decisions
The meeting identified the following key points:
- FAEA seeks opportunities to cooperate with MAFF in supporting the implementation of Cambodia’s food and feed safety law.
- The Minister expressed openness to such cooperation and highlighted an ongoing policy priority to promote the export of high-quality Cambodian agricultural products with high added value to foreign markets.
- The Minister confirmed that Cambodia remains open to imports of products from the United States and other countries, while emphasizing the importance of developing Cambodian agricultural exports.
- FAEA outlined its experience in collaborating with various Asian countries on food safety and its mission to help align food safety laws with international scientific standards.
No specific agreement, memorandum of understanding, or detailed implementation plan was announced in the statement.
Implications for Investors, Businesses, or Compliance
While no formal instrument was issued, the discussion signals an intention by MAFF to seek technical cooperation for implementing Cambodia’s food and feed safety law in line with international standards. Over time, such cooperation could influence regulatory practices, inspection systems and market access conditions for agricultural and food products.
Businesses involved in the production, processing or export of agricultural and food products may face evolving compliance expectations as MAFF strengthens food safety implementation. The Minister’s emphasis on exporting high-quality Cambodian agricultural products with higher added value indicates continued policy support for upgrading product standards and meeting international market requirements.
Official Source
The information is based on an announcement published by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries on its official Facebook page on 13 February 2023.
