Category: Topics

Planned Northern Sugar Project in Yorkshire to ‘Die a Death’

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Summary

The virtual cancellation of the Northern Sugar Project in Yorkshire, alongside processing difficulties at British Sugar, means the initially projected large scale expansion of UK beet based sugar production post-Brexit is now unlikely to occur. This could provide relief to the financial difficulties of Tate & Lyle Sugar, but only if it is accompanied by a firm commitment by the UK government to the abolition of the CXL duty once the UK is freed from EU rules and regulations. ASR is likely to intensify pressure for a firm UK government commitment in this regard. However this will carry different implications for different ACP sugar suppliers, depending on how the situation develops. However it should be noted Caribbean and Pacific suppliers will remain the most vulnerable to future policy developments. Read more “Planned Northern Sugar Project in Yorkshire to ‘Die a Death’”

Logistical Challenges of Brexit of Major Concern to UK Food Trade

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Summary

Concerns are growing over the lack of progress on the practical steps required to maintain a smooth flow of mutual EU27/UK trade if no transitional agreement is set in place. These include:

  1. the need to address the physical constraints on the development of import control infrastructure in Dover harbour;
  2. the inadequate computerised trade data management systems;
  3. the absence of clear recruitment and training programmes in government agencies concerned with cross border trade inspection services;
  4. the absence of alternative licensing and permit arrangements for freight operators involved in UK/EU27 trading operations.

In this context a two year transition period is seen as essential. While a two year transition would defer the worst consequences of a ‘hard’ Brexit, these constraints will still need to be addressed. If they are not effectively addressed these systemic shortcomings could potentially have knock-on effects on the smooth functioning of the direct ACP-UK export trade. Read more “Logistical Challenges of Brexit of Major Concern to UK Food Trade”

The EC’s Recommendations for the Post-Cotonou Negotiations: Some Implications for ACP Agro-food Sectors

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Summary
The EC communication on the Post Cotonou ACP-EU negotiations has bene described as ‘a confusing mixture of liberalisation and positive policy recommendations’. There are some areas which could be built on for the benefit of ACP agricultural producers and exporters, but there are also areas which could narrow the options which ACP governments have for supporting integrated agro-food sector development. The growing EU member states focus on ensuring EU interests are more effectively promoted through the future ACP-EU partnership, alongside a growing focus on migration and security areas as well as the promoting the economic interests of EU companies in ACP markets is unlikely to lead to any substantive changes which enhance the contribution of the EU-ACP partnership to the integrated development of ACP agro-food sectors. However this remains a terrain of political struggle with a key question being: how effectively prepared are ACP structures and institutions for engaging in the political struggle which lies ahead in the post-Cotonou ACP-EU partnership negotiations. Read more “The EC’s Recommendations for the Post-Cotonou Negotiations: Some Implications for ACP Agro-food Sectors”

UNCTAD Analysis Highlights High Rate of Utilisation of Tariff Preferences Under EU Trade Agreements

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Summary

The UNCTAD report highlights how the EU is ‘one of the most active negotiators of FTAs at the global level’. These EU trade agreements grant ‘EU companies more favourable trade conditions – including through reduced tariffs’, with these preferences providing a competitive advantage to EU exporters compared to companies in countries not benefitting from such FTA arrangements. While the report reviews the utilisation of tariff preferences under EU trade agreements with non-ACP countries it does provide insights into the commercial value of EU reciprocal preferential trade agreements. It also provides important background to the debate on future implementation of the concluded EU-ACP economic partnership agreements. Read more “UNCTAD Analysis Highlights High Rate of Utilisation of Tariff Preferences Under EU Trade Agreements”

Announcement of ACT Alliance.eu seminar on Implications of Brexit for ACP countries and Post-Cotonou negotiation

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The ACT Alliance which supports the epamonitoring.net website is proposing to hold a 1 day seminar on 22nd February 2018 dealing with the implications of Brexit for ACP countries (morning) and the implications of the Brexit process for the Post-Cotonou negotiations (afternoon).  The presentations made on the substantive issues faced will be based on articles posted on the epamonitoring.net and additional research undertaken by GDC-Partners for its Brexit and the ACP agro-food sector subscription only service.

For those of you who may wish to attend, please find below the draft programme.

There is only limited space available in the seminar room (30-40 people), so if you are interested in attending kindly email the seminar organiser Karin Ulmer (Karin.Ulmer@actalliance.eu) so we can keep track of the level of participation. Read more “Announcement of ACT Alliance.eu seminar on Implications of Brexit for ACP countries and Post-Cotonou negotiation”

EU Council Agrees Guidelines for EC Engagement in the Negotiation of Transitional Arrangements with the UK

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Summary

The EU Council guideline have called for the UK to remain bound by the obligations entered into under trade agreements concluded while a member of the EU throughout the transition period in EU27/UK trade relations. According to remarks by Chief Negotiator Barnier this obligation should be enshrined in the EU/UK Withdrawal Agreement concluded as part of the Article 50 negotiations. However Michel Barnier made it clear that the EU’s commitment in this regard cannot ensure ‘the UK keeps the benefits from these international agreements’, with this depending on the views of the EU’s international trade partners. Read more “EU Council Agrees Guidelines for EC Engagement in the Negotiation of Transitional Arrangements with the UK”

Declining Prices of Dark Meat Intensify Competition for African Poultry Producers

epamonitoring

Summary
While on global market price of whole chickens and breast meat remain strong, ‘dark’ meat prices are falling. This is a source of concern to sub-Saharan African poultry producers. Leading EU poultry producers are increasingly targeting African market. In this context an over vigorous implementation of EPA commitments on the elimination of non-tariff barriers to import from the EU could see African markets increasingly opened up to rapidly expanding EU poultry meat exports.  This could carry serious consequences for African poultry meat producers, in a context where considerable rural income earning opportunities can be generated along poultry feed supply chains. Read more “Declining Prices of Dark Meat Intensify Competition for African Poultry Producers”

Implications of Improving Phytosanitary Control Systems for the Attainment of SDGs

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Summary

Investments in strengthening SPS control systems in ACP countries can only be effective in contributing to the SDG objectives of poverty eradication and ending hunger if complemented by additional initiatives. Firstly initiatives to end unfair trading practices (UTPs) along ACP-EU agro-food sector supply chains through the extension of scheduled EU regulatory initiatives to combat UTPs to ACP-EU supply chains. Secondly initiatives to improve the design and implementation of EU SPS control requirements in ways which take into account the mode of production used by smallholder producers, while ensuring the integrity of arrangement for attaining underlying SPS policy objectives. Read more “Implications of Improving Phytosanitary Control Systems for the Attainment of SDGs”

Growing Role of Ukraine in EU Poultry Meat Imports Raises Rules of Origin and SPS issues in EU Poultry Meat Export Trade

epamonitoring

Summary
The processing in EU member states of poultry birds raised and slaughtered in the Ukraine raises both important rules of origin issues in the EU poultry meat export trade with ACP countries (particularly South Africa) and important SPS control concerns (given the initial origin of the birds is being disguised through the cutting and packaging operations carried out in EU member states). This expanding trade suggests a need for stricter proof of origin documentation requirements on poultry meat imports from the EU both on SPS and rules of origin grounds. The rules of origin dimension is particularly important where reciprocal preferential trade agreements covering poultry meat are under implementation (e.g. under the SADC-EU EPA). Read more “Growing Role of Ukraine in EU Poultry Meat Imports Raises Rules of Origin and SPS issues in EU Poultry Meat Export Trade”

Latest EC Projections Show Growing Export Orientation of EU Poultry Sector

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Summary

The EU poultry sector trade is composed of low value exports and high value imports, with the EU being a net exporter in volume terms but a net importer in value terms. In recent years the export of frozen poultry parts has risen dramatically, with the importance of sub-Saharan African markets to EU exporters growing significantly. In the coming years continued growth in EU production, in the context of a slowing down of consumption growth, will see the importance of export markets to the EU poultry sector grow significantly. This will see greater importance being attached to maximising revenue flows from the export of residual poultry parts. In the context of EPA implementation this could see increased pressure on African governments to remove all forms of trade barriers to EU poultry meat exports. This could then carry serious consequences not only for domestic ACP poultry producers but grain producers who supply feed to the poultry industry. Read more “Latest EC Projections Show Growing Export Orientation of EU Poultry Sector”