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8th meeting of the UNCTAD/ FAO/ IFOAM International Task Force on Harmonisation and Equivalence in Organic Agriculture

Geneva, Switzerland. 6-7 Oct 2008

The UNCTAD-FAO-IFOAM International Task Force on Harmonization and Equivalence in Organic Agriculture (ITF) is a true international public-private partnership for sustainable development. It is a joint initiative of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations, the International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM) and UNCTAD. The ITF has worked since 2003 to remove technical barriers to trade in organic agricultural products that result from the lack of harmonization and interoperability of organic regulations, private standards, and certification requirements.

The six year working period of the ITF (2003-2008) has led to an increased understanding of issues, dialogue between private and public sector and among governments, improved cooperation including catalyzing regional harmonization processes and increased influence on new regulations and revision of existing ones. The upcoming event will be the final ITF meeting and focus on following:
- Approval and launching of the two developed ITF Tools, International Requirements for Organic Certification Bodies (IROCB) and Tool for Equivalence of Organic Standards and Technical Regulations (EquiTool);
- Updates and announcements from ITF members;
- Presentation of the Final Report and Recommendations; and
- Discussion of Beyond the ITF project.

All are invited to the High Level Public Sessio on 7th October from 3.30-5.30pm to present and celebrate the work of the ITF over the past six years. UNCTAD's Secretary-General, Mr. Supachai Panitchpakdi and Mr. Urs Niggli, Director of FibL and FAO Assistant Director-General, Alexander Müller, will launch the two ITF tools - the EquiTool and the IROCB. The event will be followed by a reception featuring organic wine and snacks - the first ever in the Palais.





Jardins de CocagneDomaine des Balisiers

Documents

Title Author File Versions
Logistical Note for Participants .
Latest Agenda .
IROCB Promotion Guide .
Guide for Assessing Equivalence of Organic Standards and Technical Regulations .
Summary Report International Task Force on Harmonization and Equivalence in Organic Agriculture 2003-2008 .
DRAFT meeting report .
Communiqué .
International Requirements for Organic Certification Bodies (IROCB) .
Info Kit .
EquiTool Development .
Steering Committee Report .
Guide for Assessing Equivalence of Organic Standards and Technical Regulations .
IROCB - International Requirements for Organic Certification Bodies .
Summary report of ITF agreements and recommendations .
Dr. Supachai's Opening Remarks .
Opening Statement by Dr. Supachai High Level Public Session .

Contacts

 
Name Position
Tel, fax
Sophia Twarog Economic Affairs Officer tel: +41 (0)22 917 5082 Fax: +41 (0)22 917 0247