Good Hygiene Practices along the coffee chain

The World Trade Organization

Module 2.2

Slide 2 Module 2.2 – The World Trade

Organization

Objectives

Inform on the role and activities of the WTO

Create awareness of the international importance of WTO agreements

Create understanding of the mechanisms within the WTO for handling questions of food safety regulation within international trade

Slide 3 Module 2.2 – The World Trade

Organization

Content

Introduction to the WTO What is it? What are its objectives?

How does it function? The Uruguay Round Agreements

Establishment of the WTO The SPS and TBT Agreements

WTO mechanisms and how they have been used in relation to OTA limits in coffee

Slide 4 Module 2.2 – The World Trade

Organization

The Uruguay Round

Multilateral trade negotiations that took place 1986-1994

For the first time included liberalisation of agricultural products

Resulted in the establishment of the WTO

Slide 5 Module 2.2 – The World Trade

Organization

WTO Agreements

The 13 WTO Agreements are binding to all members of WTO

The agreements governing regulation of safety and quality of food in international trade are: Agreement on the Application of Sanitary and

Phytosanitary Measures (SPS) Agreement on Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT)

Slide 6 Module 2.2 – The World Trade

Organization

The SPS Agreement

Recognises the rights of Members to establish appropriate measures to protect: Human life and health Animal life and health Plant life and health

On the condition that SPS Measures are:

Non-discriminatory and not unnecessarily trade restrictive

Based on sound science and internationally-agreed risk analysis procedures

Slide 7 Module 2.2 – The World Trade

Organization

The SPS Agreement

Emphasises the following:

Harmonisation Science base Least trade

restrictiveness Recognition of

equivalence Transparency

Specifically recognises: Codex Alimentarius -

Food safety OIE - Animal health IPPC - Plant health

Stricter measures are allowed if justified by a

risk assessment

Slide 8 Module 2.2 – The World Trade

Organization

What are the SPS ‘tools’?

SPS contains transparency provisions Notification authorities Enquiry points

SPS committee meets twice yearly International forum for discussion

An effective dispute settlement mechanism exists within WTO

There are other relevant ‘tools’...

Slide 9 Module 2.2 – The World Trade

Organization

Other relevant ‘tools’

Membership and participation in international standardization bodies Codex Alimentarius food safety standards IPPC standards for phytosanitary standards OIE for zoosanitary standards

Opportunities for capacity building in developing countries in the area of food safety To promote effective participation of developing countries

in the elaboration of international standards To facilitate the development of a ‘whole chain’ approach

to ensuring food safety

Slide 10 Module 2.2 – The World Trade

Organization

What are the SPS rules?

According to the WTO SPS Agreement, food safety measures should: Be based on science Not be unnecessarily trade-restrictive Not discriminate arbitrarily between

Members Be based on Codex standards

NB – these apply to official measures

Slide 11 Module 2.2 – The World Trade

Organization

The TBT Agreement

Covers all technical regulations, voluntary standards and conformity assessment procedures except when these are covered by the SPS

Legitimate objectives include: National security Prevention of deceptive practices Human health Plant and animal health Environment Others

Slide 12 Module 2.2 – The World Trade

Organization

The TBT Agreement

Requires use of international standards (including Codex Alimentarius standards on food quality, labelling, etc.)

Except when such standards would be an ineffective or inappropriate means for the fulfilment of the legitimate objectives pursued

Slide 13 Module 2.2 – The World Trade

Organization

Summary

The WTO Agreements are binding to Member States

SPS and TBT Agreements cover animal, plant and human life and health

Requirement of the use of international standards, such as Codex

Good Hygiene Practices along the coffee chain

How have these ‘rules and tools’ of food safety regulation been used in the case of

OTA contamination of foods?

Module 2.2

Slide 15 Module 2.2 – The World Trade

Organization

Dealing with the OTA issue – the case of cereals

Within FAO/WHO food safety programme Code of practice for the prevention of mycotoxin

contamination in cereals (with annex on OTA reduction) adopted by Codex in July 2003

Re-evaluation of OTA carried out by JECFA in 2001 at request of Codex

Maximum level for OTA in some cereals is being considered by the Codex Alimentarius Commission

Discussions of need for a Codex Code of Practice for the reduction of OTA in coffee and cocoa initiated in April 2005

Slide 16 Module 2.2 – The World Trade

Organization

Dealing with the OTA issue

Within the EU Various task forces looking into levels of

exposure to OTA from selected commodities, including coffee

Considering, on the basis of available data, risk management options – including establishment of limits

Slide 17 Module 2.2 – The World Trade

Organization

EC harmonized control for mycotoxins

1998 - Aflatoxins: nuts, cereals, milk, spices 2002 - Ochratoxin A: cereals, raisins 2003 – Patulin: apple products 2004 – Aflatoxins and ochratoxin: baby foods

and foods for infants and young children 2004 - Ochatoxin A: roasted coffee, soluble

coffee, grape juice and wine 2005 – Ochratoxin A: decisions on whether to

proceed with maximum limits for green coffee, beer, cocoa and spices

Slide 18 Module 2.2 – The World Trade

Organization

OTA in coffee: involvement of WTO

17/06/2003 - Notification by Germany to WTO on intention to set maximum limits for OTA in instant and roasted coffee and other products (wine not included)

05/08/2003 - Addendum to Germany’s notification extending date for comments

22/10/2003 - Questions posed by Colombia to the EC regarding Germany’s notification through SPS Committee

12/02/2004 – EC Standing Committee on the Food Chain Toxicological Safety agrees to notify WTO of proposed maximum limits for OTA in roasted (5g/kg) and soluble coffee (10 g/kg), grape juice and wine (2 g/kg)

Slide 19 Module 2.2 – The World Trade

Organization

OTA in coffee: involvement of WTO

02/03/2004 – ‘Specific Trade Concerns’ reported over 2003 summarised by WTO Secretariat

08/03/2004 - Submission by Papua New Guinea to SPS Committee on German notification

15/03/2004 – Statement by Colombia regarding German notification at SPS Committee

18/05/04 – Reply of the EC to Statement by Colombia and Comments of Papua New Guinea

Slide 20 Module 2.2 – The World Trade

Organization

Green Roasted Instant

EU ? 5 10 Finland 5 5 5 Germany 3 6 Greece 20 - - Italy 8 4 4 Netherlands - 10 10 Portugal 8 4 4 Spain (8) 4 4 Czech Rep. 10 10 10 Hungary 15 10 10 Switzerland 5 5 5

All ppb

Existing national limits

Slide 21 Module 2.2 – The World Trade

Organization

Looking back…looking ahead

Decisions are being taken internationally that affect the coffee trade

Be informed of what is happening and influence the decision-making process!!!

Effective participation takes work… Collaboration and coordination Building scientific evidence

Be serious about national OTA prevention programme