1. Pesticide MRLs, the SPS Agreement and the Role of the Private Sector
1st November 2017, WTO

2. Gafta Grain and Feed Trade Association;
Represents the international trade in agricultural commodities since 1878;
1,700 company members in 95 countries;
Gafta develops standard forms of contract on which it is estimated that 80% of the world’s trade in grain is shipped.

3. Specific concerns and market access issues
Regulatory incoherence - differentiation between country MRLs export/import;
Missing MRLs in key importing markets;
Absence of default MRLs where specific MRLs are not in place subjects the global food trade to the unpredictability of zero, near-zero, or undefined default tolerances;
Capacity limitations within JMPR/Codex means it can take years to establish MRLs for pesticides at international level;
Delays in the establishment of MRLs and the resulting lack of harmonisation have important consequences for market access, productivity and farmer livelihoods.

4. Gafta’s role in establishing or implementing pesticide MRLs (e. g
Gafta’s role in establishing or implementing pesticide MRLs (e.g. through the provision of technical/financial support);
Gafta does not provide financial nor technical support in setting of MRLs; Not our role;
At national level, provide advice to encourage growers to be aware of market risks in terms of respective pesticide products each season approved in key import markets or changing market requirements if MRL lowered etc in those markets;

5. Collaborative activities (e. g
Collaborative activities (e.g. Codex, government ministries or other private sector organizations)
Gafta has observor status and participates in CCPR, CAC and others;
Two active international private sector groups:
IAFN:
International Agri Food Network;
Coalition on Codex enhancement;
IGTC:
International Grain Trade Coalition
Policy Team on MRLs

6. Members of Coalition for an Enhanced Codex

7. Reform Strategy Objectives Implementation Activity
Strategy for advocating the reform
Reform Strategy Objectives
Improving human resources available to JMPR
Addressing methodological issues of JMPR review
Improving financial Resources available to JMPR
Implementation Activity
Outreach at the international level to delegations of member states of WHO, Codex and FAO, as well as senior WHO and FAO staff
Outreach to capital of selected countries
Coordination of national outreach with members of the coalition

8. 27 associations, 8000 businesses Eastern Africa Grain Council
85 countries
CGC
GAFTA
Geneva, CH
RGU
NAEGA, NCGA, NGFA, USGC, USW, CRA, USSEC ,
COCERAL
UGA
CNFA, CNAGS, CGBA
Eastern Africa Grain Council
ABIOVE ANEC
ANIAME,
APPAMEX
CAPECO
GTA, AGEA
SOPA, SEA
SACOTA
CIARA-CEC

9. Maximum Residue Limits
IGTC Policy Team
Maximum Residue Limits
Objective:
Need to achieve a market and regulatory environment supportive of trade that avoids disruption in the international trade of agricultural commodities.
Initiative:
Enabling more effective use of standard-setting focused on science and risk based approaches for the facilitation of the global grain trade
Issues:
At present, non-alignment is more common than alignment!
Zero or near-zero default tolerances
Application of different levels of MRLs in exporting and importing countries
Missing MRLs resulting from misaligned policies

10. Future role of the private sector.
Focus policy based on sound science, risk based and not based on popularity;
Continue to promote international standards and Codex as key to enable trade. Encourage member countries to adopt and use Codex MRLs;
Continue to raise awareness on current capacity challenges and the need for adequate resources available to Codex and JMPR so it’s more efficient and sets timelier MRLs;
Continue to encourage the adoption of a transparent and simple import tolerance process when MRLs are missing;
Involve developing countries where the MRLs issues are creating obstacles for farmers, illustrate the impact current environment has on growers through case studies;
Encourage establishment of a group of like minded countries to work on mutual recognition of scientific standards and pursue greater harmonisation to align global MRL systems;
Continue to raise awareness on the impact of missing MRLs and national positive MRL lists on trade when there is no default mechanism;
Encourage improved transparency and better communication of changes in countries MRL systems through WTO notification system which will give greater predictability and reduce risk;
Greater focus on global harmonisation in area of joint reviews; information sharing and data sharing and scientific expertise for all countries.
Keep the momentum going!

11. Contact
Thank you!