Second Meeting of the International Task Force on Harmonization and Equivalence in Organic Agriculture (ITF)
 
 
Geneva, 20-21 October 2003...
  
 
seminar details | presentations | questions | links ..
  
 


The ITF 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. At its first meeting in February 2002 in Nuremberg, the Task Force agreed upon its Terms of Reference and a workplan for the next 18 months. The present meeting will focus on a review of the existing organic standards, regulations and conformity assessment systems including

  • Their impact on international trade in organic agriculture products;
  • Extent of international harmonisation
  • Models and mechanisms of equivalency and mutual recognition;

As outlined in the workplan, five discussion/background papers are being prepared to support the Task Force's deliberations. The topics of these papers are:

  1. Overview of Current Status of Standards and Conformity Assessment Systems
  2. Impact of Organic Guarantee Systems on Production and Trade of Organic Products
  3. Background Paper Concerning the EU Regulation 2092/91: Implications for Developing Countries and Relations to WTO Rules
  4. Extent of International Harmonization and Transparency Mechanisms
  5. Existing and Potential Models and Mechanisms for Equivalency and Mutual Recognition.

Discussions will address each of these topics with a view to assessing the current situation and drawing conclusions as well as recommendations for action, including issues for further work by the Task Force.

  
 
Seminar Details..
  
 
seminar details | presentations | questions | links ..
  
  Agenda  
pdf 158 KB
  
  Logistical Note for Participants  
pdf 13 KB
  
  Opening Remarks  Mrs Lakshmi Puri, UNCTAD/ DITC
pdf 18 KB
  
  List of Participants  
pdf KB
  
  Evaluation Questionnaire  
pdf 11 KB
  
  Photos  
 
    Password protected area
 
    Summary record
 
   
 
Presentations & other papers ..
  
 
seminar details | presentations | questions | links ..
  
  Presentations      
  Ken Commins Overview of Current Status of Standards and Conformity Assessment Systems
 
  Diane Bowen Current Mechanisms that Enable Trade in Organic Products
 
  Sasha Courville and David Crucefix Existing and Potential Models and Mechanisms for Harmonisation, Equivalency and Mutual Recognition
 
  Els Wynen Impact of organic guarantee systems on production and trade of organic products
 
  Discussion Papers  
updated
  
  Ken Commins Overview of Current Status of Standards and Conformity Assessment Systems
30 June 2004
  
  Diane Bowen Current Mechanisms that Enable International Trade in Organic Products
5 March 2004
 
  Els Wynen Impact of organic guarantee systems on production and trade of organic products
30 June 2004
 
  Sasha Courville and David Crucefix
(with figures attached)		 Existing and Potential Models and Mechanisms for Harmonisation, Equivalency and Mutual Recognition
10 March 2004
 
   
 
Questions ?..
  
 
seminar details | presentations | questions | links ..
  
  Coordinator.. Sophia Twarog sophia.twarog@unctad.org.. tel +41 (0)22 917 5082
  
  Logistical Support Assistant Sheila Addy sheila.addy@unctad.org tel +41 (0)22 917 5831  
  Web.. Rafe Dent.. rafe.dent@unctad.org.. tel +41 (0)22 917 5791  
   
 
Links..
  
 

International Task Force on Harmonization and Equivalence in Organic Agriculture (ITF), web-page

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