Of APEC, CPTPP and IPEF

Remove

Stephen Jacobi, Executive Director of NZIBF, traveled to San Francisco for APEC Leaders’ week and writes his thoughts on the outcome.

read more

Non-tarriff barriers to food trade an obstacle to the lasting prosperity of the APEC region

by | Nov 29, 2016 | Trade In The News

Remove

Issued by the APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC)

Lima, 17 November 2016 – A thicket of costly red tape, opaque administrative processes and arbitrary food-trade rules pose a risk to the lasting food security of the three billion people in the APEC region, a new study commissioned by the APEC Business Advisory Council suggests.

ABAC commissioned the report, entitled ‘Non-Tariff Barriers in Agriculture and Food Trade in APEC: Business Perspectives on Impacts and Solutions’, from the University of Southern California’s Marshall School of Business.  It draws on interviews with over four hundred business people, experts and officials from around the region.

“Food insecurity exacerbates the misery of stagnating global economic growth,” said Juan Raffo, ABAC Chair for 2016.  “Food security is a fundamental building block of lasting and inclusive prosperity for our region.”

“Food trade is a critical part of the food security equation.  It helps to match up supplies of safe, nutritious and affordable food with demand from around the region.  But this study shows that NTBs and other forms of protectionism mean that food trade is more difficult and expensive than it should be,” Mr Raffo added.

The study found that non-tariff measures, including NTBs, are increasing in prominence and complexity.   NTBs include opaque rules, arbitrary standards that are not based in science, and Customs and other import procedures that are slow, costly and excessive.  The research showed that these barriers can raise food prices, undermine food quality, impact on food availability and impose extra burdens on small businesses.Over half the businesses interviewed considered that the trading environment for food and agriculture products remains highly restrictive.

“Business is reporting that these NTBs can undermine the whole food supply chain. Exporting and importing food becomes expensive and complex – uncertainty and time delays can cripple small business in particular.   That works against lasting food security,” said Mr Raffo.

The report stressed the need for a concerted and sustained effort across many fronts to address NTBs.  “This study suggests that what’s needed is greater transparency, clearer timeframes and better processes for food trade before, at and behind borders.  Measures should be designed to avoid impeding trade.  Greater harmonization or mutual recognition of standards for labelling and food safety would help.  Digital channels hold a lot of promise, too,” Mr Raffo added.

“APEC economies have a big task ahead of them in addressing these NTBs,” commented Mr Raffo.  “But the business community is committed to helping deliver lasting food security in partnership with governments, for the benefit of all,” he concluded.

A copy of the USC Marshall School report can be found at https://www2.abaconline.org/content/download/22613384

REGISTER WITH TRADE WORKS

Register to stay up to date with latest news, as well as saving and discussing articles you’re interested in.

 

Remove

 

Latest News

Of APEC, CPTPP and IPEF

While New Zealand was sorting out its new Government, the alphabet soup which is trade got a good stirring in San Francisco.  This was APEC Leaders’ week, the annual gathering of Leaders, Ministers, business people and other stakeholders from the 21 economies of...

EYES OPENED DURING INDIA VISIT

Published by Newsroom on 6 September 2023 Stephen Jacobi reports on the recent business delegation to India. Every country has its contrasts and a subcontinent of 1.4 billion with thousands of years of history has more than most.  Today’s India can reach the...

Large business delegation bound for India

MEDIA RELEASE - Tuesday 22 August, 2023 Fifty business representatives will leave later this week bound for Delhi, making it one of the largest delegations ever to head for India. The delegation, comprising members and senior leaders of five business organisations,...

India and New Zealand: The next innings

As published in the NZ Herald, 18 August 2023 By Stephen Jacobi As a trade mission prepares to depart for Delhi, Stephen Jacobi of the New Zealand International Business Forum considers the prospects for growing two-way trade and investment between India and New...

CRUNCH TIME FOR CPTPP

As published in the NZ Herald, 18 August 2023. By Stephen Jacobi, Executive Director, NZ International Business Forum. Following the Ministers’ meeting in Auckland, what is the outlook for CPTPP as the world’s most ambitious free trade agreement? When Ministers...

CER CELEBRATES A RUBY ANNIVERSARY

The Australia-New Zealand Leadership, the semi-annual gathering of Ministers and business leaders, has been described as a “successful symbol of trans-Tasman togetherness[1]”.  And the togetherness vibe was certainly present when the Forum gathered in Wellington...