Joint OACP-EC high-level panel

Developments in agricultural trade and the Sustainable Development Goals in African, Caribbean and Pacific countries

European Development Days (EDD16) on 15-16 June 2016, Brussels

Joint OACP-EC high-level panel

The Treatment of Food Standards in mega-regional trade agreements

European Development Days (EDD16) on 15-16 June 2016, Brussels

Joint OACP-EC high-level panel

Developments in agricultural trade and the Sustainable Development Goals in African, Caribbean and Pacific countries

European Development Days (EDD16) on 15-16 June 2016, Brussels

Panelists debated the key issues relating to trade and the sustainable development goals as well as the role of agriculture and agribusiness for sustainable development in ACP countries. In particular, the discussion focused on the context of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and explored how key stakeholders could encourage nutrition-sensitive and resilient trade in agricultural goods.

The panellists also provided an overview of how trade and development cooperation can be successfully partnered as an approach to achieve the Agenda 2030, particularly in the context of EU and ACP cooperation. They mentioned the importance of key achievements already met and future priorities for global stakeholders to ensure that the agricultural sector has an enhanced role in sustainable trade and development cooperation.

Mr. Edwin Laurent, Director Ramphal Institute

Ms. Arancha González, Executive Director of the International Trade Centre (ITC)

Mr. Daniel Gad, Managing Director, Omega Farms Ethiopia

Mr. Viwanou, ASG OACP Secretariat Shenggen Fan, Director General International Food Policy Research Institute

Mr. Roberto Ridolfi, Director for Sustainable Growth and Development, DG DEVCO)

Joint OACP-EC high-level panel

The Treatment of Food Standards in mega-regional trade agreements

European Development Days (EDD16) on 15-16 June 2016, Brussels

The panelists expressed their respective insights on what recent global trade developments mean for ACP development. The rules governing global trade are defined by mega-RTAs such TTIP (Trans-Atlantic Trade and Investment Partnership), TPP (Trans-Pacific Partnership) and RCEP (Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership), with important development implications for the ACP in terms of full integration into global value chains, capacity to negotiate regulatory frameworks, and ACP producers’ ability to meet compliance costs, including tighter food standards.

Mr. Jean-Pierre Halkin, Head of Unit, Rural Development, Food & Nutrition Security, DG Europaid, European Commission
Mr. Donald Mmari, Executive Director, REPOA - Policy Research for Development
Mr. Edwin Laurent, Director, Ramphal Institute
Ms. Catherine Grant, Research Associate TRALAC
Mr. Jacky Le Gosles, Senior Expert, DG Health and Food Safety, European Commission