News Digest: Agri-food policy

ACP

COMESA: Product diversity critical for regional trade

Intra-regional trade is being weakened by a lack of product diversity, as most states within the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) and the whole of Africa are producing and exporting similar goods (Chronicle, 11 November). COMESA recently expressed concern over the low intra-regional trade among its 21 members, which is estimated at 7%. Details are in a research paper titled “Estimating Comesa’s trade potential in Africa: optimising export opportunities in the AfCFTA.

IMF pessimistic about economic recovery in African countries

According to the International Monetary Fund, the economic crisis resulting from the pandemic is causing the first recession in 25 years in Sub-Saharan Africa (RFI, 14 October). From 3.2% growth in 2019, activity is expected to fall to less than 3% in 2020, before rebounding to 3.1% in 2021. South Africa (+3%) and Nigeria (+1.7%) should return to positive economic growth in 2021, as well as other economies that will escape recession (Ethiopia, Tanzania, Ivory Coast and Kenya).

Vanuatu pioneers digital cash as disaster relief

Vanuatu is pioneering Unblocked Cash, a mobile-based development project using blockchain technology, along with tap-and-pay cards, to provide direct assistance to families recovering from disasters or acute financial distress (The Guardian, 6 November). Over the next few months, over 35,000 new participants across Vanuatu are expected to be enrolled in the project, jointly funded by New Zealand and Australia, which will be rolled out across the Pacific region, and around the world.

EUROPE

EU steps up support for Africa’s Central Sahel countries

The European Union, Denmark, Germany, and the United Nations co-hosted a virtual Ministerial Roundtable on Africa’s Central Sahel region, with the participation of donors and international organisations, as well as the countries concerned: Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger (EC press release, 20 October). The EU pledged €23.6 million in funding for humanitarian actions in Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger, and €20 million in development funding to address the food crisis afflicting the Central Sahel region, in cooperation with the World Food Programme.

EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 endorsed

The European Council has adopted conclusions on biodiversity that endorse the objectives of the EU Green Deal Communication “EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 – Bringing nature back into our lives” (European Council, 23 October). Member States recognised the need to step up efforts by addressing the direct and indirect drivers of biodiversity and nature loss, and called for a full integration of biodiversity objectives into other sectors such as agriculture, fisheries and forestry, and a coherent implementation of EU measures in these fields.

European Council conclusions on Farm to Fork strategy

The European Council has adopted a set of conclusions on the Farm to Fork strategy, endorsing the goal of developing a European sustainable food system from production to consumption (European Council press release, 19 October). The Council calls for scientifically sound ex-ante impact assessments to be the basis of EU legislative proposals, and to continue promoting the prudent and responsible use of pesticides, antimicrobials and fertilisers in order to produce food sustainably and support the environment at the same time. Ministers also call for a level playing field on competitive agri-food markets and compatibility with WTO rules.

A greener, fairer, and more robust EU farm policy

MEPs’ position on post-2022 reform is that the European Union’s future farm policy should be more flexible, sustainable and crisis-resilient, so that farmers can continue to deliver food security across the EU (European Parliament News, 23 October). This includes more support for those who apply climate- and environmentally-friendly practices; annual direct payments capped at €100,000, with more support for SMEs; tailor-made measures to help farmers deal with crises; and higher sanctions for repeated infringement of rules (e.g. on environment or animal welfare).

Agritech and Climate Smart Agriculture Conference

The Second Annual Agritech and Climate Smart Agriculture Conference will take place in Krakow, Poland, on 24–25 November. This year, due to the Covid-19 situation, delegates can also attend virtually. Key topics are the impacts of technology on agriculture, positioning technologies, emerging agri-technologies and eco-friendly solutions for future agriculture.

GLOBAL

The IPPC ePhyto Solution

All countries without a national system can now use the Generic ePhyto National System (GeNS) to produce and exchange ePhytos through the Hub. The International Plant Protection Convention’s ePhyto Solution aims to modernise the phytosanitary certification process and facilitate trade, with benefits for National Plant Protection Organisations (NPPOs) and industry.

2021: International Year of Fruit and Vegetables

The United Nations General Assembly has declared 2021 the International Year of Fruit and Vegetables (Fruchthandel, 4 November). The General Assembly has called on Member States, civil society, the private sector and academia to support the initiative through activities to raise awareness of the health benefits of fruit and vegetable consumption, reducing waste of fruit and vegetables, and promoting sustainable food systems.

SDG Trade Monitor

The Sustainable Development Goals Trade Monitor is a new online portal that collates progress in achieving the trade-related SDGs. Launched on World Statistics Day, 20 October, by the World Trade Organization, UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) and International Trade Centre (ITC), it aims to improve understanding of the relationship between trade and development in the SDG agenda and highlight the latest state of play in achieving the relevant SDG targets.