Private standards in the United States and European Union markets for fruit and vegetables
Subtitle: implications for developing countries
By: [written by Cora Dankers]
Contributors: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. Trade and Markets Division
Series: FAO commodity studies -- 3; FAO commodity studies -- 3.
Publisher: Trade Policy Service, Trade and Markets Division, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
Published: 2007
Place of publication: Rome
Language: eng
Number of pages: 150
Subjects: Produce trade; Certification
Description: Over the past 20 years the number of standards and certification programs for agricultural production has grown rapidly. Producers who want to export are confronted not only by a plethora of import regulations, but also within import countries by different niche markets for which specific requirements have to be fulfilled. While the adoption of voluntary standards may grant export opportunities to farmers, they can also be considered barriers to entry for those who cannot apply them either because they are too onerous or because of the lack of knowledge about their requirements. In fact, some producers and exporters increasingly regard private standards as non-tariff barriers to trade. New and more stringent standards are being developed year after year, and there is an urgent need to determine today, and in the future, the extent to which these govern world trade. This report gives an overview of standards and certification programs relevant for fruit and vegetable producers and exporters in developing countries with a focus on the markets of the United States and the European Union. In addition, it gives an overview of current analytical work on standards and trade, reviews major assistance programs related to standards and provides recommendations for further research.--Publisher's description.
Notes: Title from electronic t.p. (viewed on May 6, 2008).

Includes bibliographical references.

Available both in print and online.
Table of contents: title: pt. 1. Overview of standards : international agreements, national regulations and private standards. Frameworks for standard settings and conformity assessment systems; title: General quality and import requirements, product classification, traceability and labels of origin; title: Phytosanitary standards; title: Food safety standards; title: Sustainable agriculture and good agricultural practices (GAP); title: Environmental standards; title: Organic agriculture standards; title: Labour and social standards; title: pt. 2. Overview of existing analytical work on the impacts of private standards on trade. Extensive research programmes covering various aspects of private standards; title: pt. 3. Overview of operational initiatives related to private standards and trade. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO); title: Collaboration among international agencies; title: World Bank; title: International Trade Centre (ITC); title: United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD); title: World Trade Organization (WTO); title: United Nations Development Programme (UNDP); title: Regional organizations; title: Bilateral assistance; title: Public-private partnerships; title: NGO alliances; title: National certification programmes for benchmarking; title: Conclusions and recommendations. Discussion and conclusions on standards and trade; title: Recommendations for future research.