AGRICULTURAL CODES AND SCHEMES

2010

1

C O N T E N T S

OECD in Brief 3

Trade and Agriculture Directorate 3

Agricultural Codes and Schemes 4

Seeds 8

Tractors 10

Fruit and Vegetables 12

Forests 13

Further information 14

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OECD welcomes Chile, Estonia, Israel and Slovenia

During the annual Council meeting at Ministerial Level, held on 27 May 2010, OECD countries

welcomed four new members: Chile, which joined the Organisation on 7 May 2010, Slovenia,

which joined the Organisation on 21 July 2010, Israel which is a Member of the OECD as from 7

September 2010, and Estonia, which OECD countries agreed on 10 May 2010 to invite as

member.

These accessions are part of a broader process of global outreach through which OECD is

strengthening its collaboration with emerging and developing economies, and strategically engage

with them through regional activities on Middle East and North Africa, Latin America, Southeast

Asia and Africa. This process also includes the Enhanced Engagement process with Brazil, China,

India, Indonesia and South Africa.

Left to right: Andrus Ansip, Prime Minister of Estonia; Felipe Larrain, Minister of Finance of

Chile; Benjamin Netanyahu, Prime Minister of Israel; Silvio Berlusconi, Prime Minister of Italy;

Borut Pahor, Prime Minister of Slovenia and Angel Gurría, Secretary-General of the OECD.

www.oecd.org

3

OECD IN BRIEF

The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), an inter -governmental

organisation founded in 1961, provides a multilateral forum to discuss, develop and reform economic and social

policies. Today it has 33 member countries1 The OECD’s mission is to promote policies for sustainable

economic growth and employment, a rising standard of living, and trade liberalisation. It is at the forefront of

efforts to help governments understand and respond to new developments and concerns so that economic

and social developments are not achieved at the expense of environmental degradation.

The OECD brings together its Member countries to discuss and develop domestic and interna tional

policies. It analyses issues, identifies good policy practices and recommends actions in a unique forum in

which countries can compare their experiences, seek answers to common problems, and work to

co-ordinate policies. It shares expertise and exchanges views with more than 100 countries worldwide and

engages in dialogue with business, labour, and civil society organisations on topics of mutual interest.

The OECD is the largest and most reliable source of comparable statistical data and information on

economic, environmental and social developments in its Member countries.

The OECD’s work is overseen by several bodies. At the highest level is the OECD Council, made up of

Ambassadors from all Member countries. The Council’s main role is to review and approve the

OECD budget and Programme of Work. The specific policy and technical work is directed by specialist

Committees, supported by Working Parties and ad hoc meetings, which bring together technical expertise

from Member countries. The daily work of the OECD is coordinated and supported by its Secretariat

in Paris, with 2 500 staff and a budget of over € 320 million.

TRADE AND AGRICULTURE DIRECTORATE

The Directorate for Trade and Agriculture (TAD) is the part of the OECD Secretariat that

undertakes the work on behalf of the Trade, Agriculture and Fisheries Committees. The key objective of

OECD work on trade is to support a strong, rules -based multilateral trading system that will maintain the

momentum for further trade liberalisation, while contributing to rising standards of living and

sustainable development. OECD also analyses food, agriculture and fisheries issues and provides advice

to governments on practical and innovative options for policy reform and trade liberalisation, as well as

facilitating the negotiation of international rules on official export credits. An important part of the

mandate of the OECD is to provide analytical support to agricultural trade liberalisation , as well as

estimating the effects of further trade liberalisat ion. Working closely with Member countries, the

Directorate collects information and data, and develops modelling capacity to analyse the policy issues

identified by the Committees. The Committee for Trade, the Committee for Agriculture and the

Committee for Fisheries are responsible for implementing the trade, agriculture and fisheries biennial

programme of work, once it has been approved by the OECD Council.

The Directorate is structured around seven divisions that work together to deliver the work

programme: Agro-food Trade and Markets, Development Division, Fisheries Policies, Agricultural

Policies and Environment, Policies and Trade in Agriculture, Trade Policy Linkages and Services and

Export Credits. Two other units are attached to the Directorate: Agricultural Codes and Schemes, and

the Co-operative Research Programme . The staff of the Directorate is drawn from Member countries.

In 2009 there were 125 full-time staff, and increasingly, the Directorate also welcomes staff on

short-term appointments, consultants and trainees.

1 OECD member countries in 2010: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Chile, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France,

Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Korea, Luxembourg, Mexico, the Netherlands, New Zealand,

Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, United Kingdom, United States. The

European Commission also participates in the work of the Organisation.

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AGRICULTURAL CODES AND SCHEMES

The OECD Agricultural Codes and Schemes facilitate international trade through the simplification

and harmonisation of documentary, inspection and testing procedures. For Seeds and Forests, the

Schemes encourage the production and use of seeds or plants of consistently high quality for which

trueness to name or source is guaranteed. For Tractors, the Codes enable an importing country to accept

with confidence the results of tests carried out in another country, and in the case of Fruit and Vegetables,

the Scheme promotes uniform classification and quality control procedures.

The Codes & Schemes were created in the late 1950s/early 1960s and the number of participating

countries has been constantly rising. The Codes and Schemes are open to any OECD or non-OECD

country that is a member of the United Nations or of the World Trade Organisation. In addition to the

33 OECD countries which are all members of at least one of the Codes & Schemes, participation currently

encompasses 30 non-OECD Economies, including some of the major players in world trade (Argentina,

Brazil, China, India, Russia, South Africa, Ukraine, etc.). There are also close co-operation with the UN

family, especially the FAO and the UNECE, as well as specific non-governmental and industrial

organisations (CEMA, IFAP, ISF, ISO, ISTA, UPOV, etc.).

AGRICULTURAL CODES AND SCHEMES

FOR INTERNATIONAL TRADE

OECD SCHEME FOR THE

APPLICATION OF

INTERNATIONAL

STANDARDS FOR FRUIT AND

VEGETABLES

OECD CODES FOR THE

OFFICIAL TESTING OF

AGRICULTURAL AND

FORESTRY TRACTORS

OECD FOREST SEED AND

PLANT SCHEME

OECD SCHEMES FOR THE

VARIETAL CERTIFICATION

OF SEED

SCHEME FOR CRUCIFER SEED AND OTHER OIL

OR FIBER SPECIES

SCHEME FOR CEREALS

SCHEME FOR BEET

SCHEME FOR MAIZE AND SORGHUM

SCHEME FOR SUBTERRA-

NEAN CLOVER AND SIMILAR

SPECIES

SCHEME FOR VEGETABLES

SCHEME FOR GRASS AND

LEGUME SEED

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The overarching objectives of the Codes & Schemes are to simplify existing international

trade procedures; increase transparency, reduce technical barriers to trade; contribute to

international harmonization of standards, environmental protection; and, to increase market

confidence through enforcement of quality control and inspection procedures, as well as the

traceability of the traded products. The objectives are achieved through ongoing dialogue with the

designated authorities of member countries, observers and, stakeholders including, farmers,

industry and trade.

International certification differs from national certification, as domestic regulatory systems

may vary to a large extent. A voluntary international system is a tool which heterogeneous

countries can use for specific product characteristics, without having to change their domestic

framework. The benefits from product certification and guarantees are shared between all

stakeholders; consumers, producers, industry, exporters and importers.

For some of the Codes & Schemes, there are prerequisites for joining (e.g. National Seed

Law). In all cases, the following general steps must be taken: 1) an official request to join is sent

to the OECD Secretary-General, accompanied by the relevant documentation. 2) This is followed

by an evaluation process, usually involving a short mission to the applicant country. 3) The

evaluation report is circulated to the authorities of the participating countries and discussed at

their annual meeting. 4) The final step is an internal OECD process resulting in a Council

Decision. The whole procedure takes about one year.

The overall budget is around one million euros, with Seeds accounting for about 40%,

Tractors 30%, Fruit and Vegetables 20% and Forests 10%. The annual fee for each of the Codes

and Schemes is based on a lump sum payment plus a variable percentage payment based on a

formula related to the size of the participating country’s economy (Gross Domestic Product).

____________________

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63 COUNTRIES PARTICIPATE

IN ONE OR MORE OF THE OECD CODES AND SCHEMES

e

ALBANIA, ARGENTINA, AUSTRALIA, AUSTRIA, BELGIUM, BOLIVIA, BURKINA FASO, BRAZIL, BULGARIA, CANADA, CHILE, CHINA, CROATIA, CYPRUS, CZECH REPUBLIC, DENMARK, EGYPT, ESTONIA, FINLAND, FRANCE, GERMANY, GREECE, HUNGARY, ICELAND,

INDIA, IRAN (Islamic Rep. of), IRELAND, ISRAEL, ITALY, JAPAN, KENYA, KOREA (Rep. of), KYRGYZSTAN, LATVIA, LITHUANIA, LUXEMBOURG, MADAGASCAR, MEXICO, MOLDOVA, MOROCCO, NETHERLANDS, NEW ZEALAND, NORWAY, POLAND, PORTUGAL, ROMANIA, RUSSIAN FEDERATION, RWANDA, SERBIA, SLOVAKIA, SLOVENIA, SOUTH AFRICA, SPAIN, SWEDEN, SWITZERLAND,

TUNISIA, TURKEY, UGANDA, UKRAINE, UNITED KINGDOM, UNITED STATES, URUGUAY, ZIMBABWE

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Countries Participating in the OECD Codes and Schemes in 2010

Seeds Tractors Fruit and Vegs Forest

Albania

Argentina

Australia

Austria

Belgium

Bolivia

Brazil

Bulgaria

Burkina Faso

Canada

Chile

China

Croatia

Cyprus

Czech Republic

Denmark

Egypt

Estonia

Finland

France

Germany

Greece

Hungary

Iceland

India

Iran, Islamic Rep. of

Ireland

Israel

Italy

Japan

Kenya

Korea

Kyrgyzstan

Latvia

Lithuania

Luxembourg

Madagascar

Mexico

Moldova

Morocco

Netherlands

New Zealand

Norway

Poland

Portugal

Romania

Russian Federation

Rwanda

Serbia

Slovak Republic

Slovenia

South Africa

Spain

Sweden

Switzerland

Tunisia

Turkey

Uganda

Ukraine

United Kingdom

United States

Uruguay

Zimbabwe

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SEEDS

What are the

OECD Seed Schemes?

.

The OECD Seed Schemes provide an international framework for the

certification of agricultural seed moving in international trade. The Schemes

were established in 1958 driven by a combination of factors including a

fast-growing seed trade, regulatory harmonisation in Europe, the development

of off-season production, the seed breeding and production potential of large

exporting countries in America (North and South) and Europe, and the support

of private industry. Membership of the Schemes is voluntary and participation

varies. There are seven agricultural Seed Schemes.

Participating countries

With the recent accession of Ukraine, 58 countries from Europe, North and

South America, Africa, the Middle-East, Asia and Oceania currently participate

in the OECD Seed Schemes.

Objectives

The objectives of the Schemes are to encourage the use of “quality-guaranteed”

seed in participating countries. The Schemes authorise the use of labels and

certificates for seed produced and processed for international trade according to

agreed principles ensuring varietal identity and purity.

The Schemes facilitate the import and export of seed, by the removal of

technical barriers to trade through internationally recognised labels (“passports”

for trade). They also lay down guidelines for seed multiplication abroad, as well

as for the delegation of some control activities to the private sector

(“authorisation”). The quantity of seed certified through the OECD Schemes has

grown rapidly in recent years and now exceeds 400.000 tonnes.

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How do the

Seed Schemes operate?

The success of international certification depends upon close co-operation

between maintainers, seed producers, traders and the designated authority

(appointed by the government) in each participating country. Frequent meetings

allow for a multi-stakeholder dialogue to exchange information, discuss case

studies, prepare new rules and update the Schemes. The UN family of bodies, a

vast range of non-governmental organisations (ISF) and seed industry networks

participate actively in the Schemes.

Benefits of the Schemes To facilitate international trade by using globally-recognised OECD labels

and certificates (e.g. OECD labels are required to export seed to the

European union).

To build a framework to develop seed production with other countries or

companies.

To participate in the elaboration of international rules for seed certification.

To develop collaboration between the public and private sectors.

To benefit from regular exchanges of information with other national

certification agencies and observer organisations.

Annual List of Varieties The Annual List of Varieties eligible for OECD certification includes

varieties which are officially recognized as distinct, uniform and stable, and

possess an acceptable value in, at least, one country.

The List contains most of the internationally traded varieties whose number

has grown steadily over the last thirty years. Currently, the number of listed

varieties amounts to over 42 000, corresponding to 198 species.

Outlook As seed “consumers” become more demanding, there are greater needs for more

uniform seed standards, while at the same time public financial resources for

regulation and quality control are limited.

Co-operation among countries and stakeholders in the framework of the

Schemes is a response to the concern for a market-responsive regulatory

approach. Every country is confronted with a different legal framework,

institutional barriers and trade relations; yet, the different approaches must

remain consistent among countries entering international markets as importers

or exporters.

Seed companies are responsible for establishing and maintaining the

distinctness, uniformity and stability of their varieties, not only domestically,

but also across borders. However, there is a need for minimum criteria (“rules of

the game”) to be commonly defined, endorsed and enforced when multiplying

seed in large quantities for the trade. The OECD Schemes provide this legal

framework at international level.

For more information see: www.oecd.org/tad/seed

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TRACTORS

What are the

OECD Tractor Codes?

The OECD Standard Codes for the official testing of agricultural and forestry

tractors are a set of rules and procedures for tractor testing with the aim to

facilitate trade by updating international rules to certify tractors and their

protective structures. Implementation of the Codes ensures that protective

structures and performance criteria are carried out on a comparative basis, thus

increase transparency, simplify international trade procedures, and open markets.

Participating

Countries

Currently, 28 countries implement the Codes; of which, 24 are OECD Members

and 4 non-OECD Economies (China, India Serbia and Russia). Observers

include CEMA, CEN, CIGR, COPA COGECA, EFTA, FAO, IFAP, ISO and

UNECE.

How do the Tractor

Codes operate?

National testing stations in each participating country carry out the tests on

tractors to be commercialized according to the common procedures. Test results

are submitted to OECD for approval and the verification of individual tests are

subcontracted to a Co-ordinating Centre. Approved tests are published and used

by tractor manufacturers, sellers and buyers. Summaries of performance tests are

available on-line.

.

What is OECD’s role? OECD facilitates co-ordination at the international level, with frequent meetings

that enable dialogue amongst stakeholders, exchange information, discuss case

studies, prepare new rules and update the Codes. Since the Codes were

established in 1959, over 3 000 tractors have been tested for performance

characteristics, and over 10 800 tractors have been tested for noise measurement

at the driving position, and driver protection, in the case of tractor roll-over. In

addition to regular meetings of the Codes, Test Engineer Conferences are held

every two years, each time in a different country.

Users of the Codes Countries use the Codes for various purposes including national testing, tenders,

import regulations, etc. In addition, farmers and other stakeholders benefit from

them as an important source of comparable information on safety and technical

reliability.

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ROLL-OVER TEST

Outlook The OECD Tractor Testing Codes are in constant evolution with the growth

in demand for greater harmonization across countries as new tractor models

continue to proliferate. They have become an important international

reference in the certification of tractors and their protective structures,

underpinning existing international agreements, and contributing actively to

the harmonization of regional and global standards. There is regular updating

of the Codes so as to identify significant improvements in technical

performance, safety and environmental protection.

For more information see: www.oecd.org/tad/tractor

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FRUIT AND VEGETABLES

Objectives of the

OECD Scheme on

Fruit and Vegetables

The main objective of the OECD Fruit and Vegetables Scheme is to facilitate

international trade through the harmonization of implementation and

interpretation of marketing standards. A further objective is to facilitate mutual

recognition of inspections by participating countries. The Scheme is well

known for its explanatory brochures on standards, but is also involved in

defining inspection procedures that are recognized in many countries, and in

sponsoring training courses. The Scheme also organises peer reviews with the

goal of helping the reviewed country improve its quality inspection system.

Participating Countries Currently, 25 countries participate in the OECD Scheme, including several

major exporting countries, for all or some of the products covered.

How does the OECD

Scheme operate?

The OECD Fruit and Vegetables Scheme provide a complete and

internationally harmonised export quality inspection system for member

countries. The mutual recognition of inspections is strengthened through

implementation of peer reviews on national quality inspection systems,

organisation of meetings for the heads of national inspection services and

workshops for the inspectors. Frequent meetings also allow for a

comprehensive dialogue amongst stakeholders in reviewing and elaborating the

OECD standards' interpretation, as well as defining inspection procedures.

Outlook

Inter-governmental quality standardisation for fruit and vegetables remains

essential for reducing technical barriers to international trade, as well as

increasing transparency to consumers. The interpretation of standards is

indispensable to applying them in practice and here the Scheme and its

explanatory brochures on standards and inspection guidelines will continue to

play a pivotal role.

The peer review activity on national fruit and vegetables inspection systems is

well received among member countries and has become a core activity of the

Scheme. It helps countries to improve policy making, adopt best practices, and

comply with established international standards and principles.

As many African and Asian countries are specialized in fruit and vegetables

production, they would benefit from implementing the Scheme to build up their

export capacities.

For more information see: www.oecd.org/tad/fv

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FORESTS

Objectives of the OECD

Scheme for Forest

Reproductive Material

The OECD Forest Seed and Plant Scheme is a certification tool to facilitate

international trade in forest seeds and plants. The Scheme aims to encourage the

production and use of forest reproductive materials that have been collected,

processed, raised, labelled and distributed in a manner that ensures their trueness

to name. The Scheme reflects the wish for governments to have these materials

correctly identified, with a view to minimising uncertainty in achieving

successful afforestation.

Participating Countries Currently, 25 countries participate in the Scheme, including several tropical

countries that are developing their seed trade for reforestation.

How does the Scheme

work?

Different OECD labels are used according to the two categories for forest

reproductive materials. The labelled product is then recognised internationally

as a guarantee of quality and as a certificate of origin. Forest seed sources

and stands are approved by participating countries as the basic material for

harvesting the reproductive material, i.e., seeds; regions of provenance are

delineated and carefully documented. A total of 275 species of trees are

currently eligible for certification under the Scheme.

Latest developments Many countries, especially from the tropical part of Africa and South America,

have expressed interest in the OECD Scheme when developing a domestic

system for the quality control of forest seeds & plants. Some of them have

already joined. Taking into account the increased interest, the Scheme’s

intention is to adapt the OECD certification system of forest reproductive

materials to conditions in tropical countries in the near future.

Outlook There is growing awareness of the potential benefits of the OECD Scheme in the

context of harmonising regulations and facilitating international trade in forest

reproductive materials, including in tropical areas.

For more information see: www.oecd.org/tad/forest

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Further information

The following OECD web pages can be consulted to get additional information, latest

publications, news and events, rules and list of participating countries in each of the four

programmes in the Codes & Schemes.

Agriculture (general): www.oecd.org/tad

OECD Directorate for Trade and Agriculture

2, rue André – Pascal

75775 Paris, Cedex 16

France

Codes and Schemes (general): www.oecd.org/tad/code

Seeds: www.oecd.org/tad/seed

Tractors: www.oecd.org/tad/tractor

Fruit and Vegetables: www.oecd.org/tad/fv

Forests: www.oecd.org/tad/forest

Contact:

Michael Ryan

Head, Codes & Schemes

E-mail: Michael.ryan@oecd.org

Fax : +33 1 44 30 61 17

Albania

Argentina

Australia

Austria

Belgium

Bolivia

Brazil

Bulgaria

Burkina Faso

Canada

Chile

China

Croatia

Cyprus

Czech Republic

Denmark

Egypt

.

Estonia

Finland

France

Germany

Greece

Hungary

Iceland

India

Iran

Ireland

Israel

Italy

Japan

Kenya

Korea

Kyrgyzstan

Latvia

Lithuania

Luxembourg

Madagascar

Mexico

Moldova

Morocco

Netherlands

New Zealand

Norway

Poland

Portugal

Romania

Russian Federation

Rwanda

Serbia

Slovakia

Slovenia

South Africa

Spain

Sweden

Switzerland

Tunisia

Turkey

Uganda

Ukraine

United Kingdom

United States

Uruguay

Zimbabwe