In the context of the EPA negotiations the purpose of the (October 2009) study by the GRET and the AFD is to help fuel the French authorities’ reflection on different interpretations of article XXIV by analysing examples of existing FTAs that have not attracted complaints at the WTO. France views EPAs primarily as instruments to foster the development of ACP countries. It is therefore striving for maximum flexibility with respect to the pace of liberalisation and the extent of openness of ACP markets, wishing to make full use of the "asymmetry" permitted by the EC without overstepping the bounds of WTO rules. The aim is therefore to identify precedents and highlight examples of provisions allowing flexibility with regard to all the points at issue between the ACP regions and the EU in EPA negotiations.

Mr Pierre Berthelot, Director Coordination Unit, All ACP Agricultural Commodities Programme (AAACP) & Cos-coton Secretariat, is our guest. Mr Berthelot presents the AAACP: its background and objectives, and its financial allocation. He then explains how the programme works in terms of priority sectors and activities, the role of implementing organizations and the processes that lead to projects selection. He finally stresses the key point raised by the programme’s Mid-term Review and the way forward, together with highlighting some of the positive examples and lessons learnt of the programme.

CTA in partnership with the European Commission-DG Development and EuropeAid, the EU Presidency, the ACP Secretariat, Euforic, IPS Europe and Concord organizes bimonthly Development Briefings in Brussels to raise awareness on key rural development issues with the development community based in Brussels. The next Brussels Development Briefing will be held on 9th December  and will discuss "From Global Food Crisis to Local Food Insecurity" in the context of the new EC policy on Food security to be released. The Briefing will be looking at the domino effects of increased speculation in food markets (How has the global food and financial crisis affected food production and distribution and the food security of the poorest? Is global food production at risk in the medium and long term and will national food security and food sovereignty be the priority over global food availability?  Is the small-scale farming more effective and resilient in times of crisis in least-developed countries?) and the on what realistic policy options can secure food supply and availability at global and local levels.  The meeting will be held on 9th December at Berlaymont from 8h30 to 13h00. You can view outcomes of previous meetings at http://brusselsbriefings.net. For registration please contact: boto@cta.int or pruna@cta.int

The “banana wars”, the longestrunning dispute in the history of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), is close to being settled. European and Latin American trade officials are pushing for a deal to be signed this week. As a result, the European Union would cut duties significantly on bananas and other tropical products. The move could lead to lower prices for consumers. The transatlantic dispute, which dates from 1993, arose because of the protection afforded by the EU to former British and French colonies in Africa and the Caribbean. Latin American banana exporters, such as Ecuador, complained to the WTO, as did the US, acting to protect its multinational companies, such as Chiquita.

A new international standard was drawn up for Third Countries' organic export companies to EU by Italian Certification Body ICEA (the first to apply for the EU Commission accreditation) together with the other ACB (Accredited Certification Bodies). The new international standard "Equivalent European Union Organic Production & Processing Standard for Third Countries” drawn by ICEA with the other accredited certification bodies perfectly meets the EU Regulations about organic agriculture. The standard, clear and well organised, is to become the accurate point of reference for all the companies certified by ICEA in Third Countries that want to export their organic certified products to EU.

The 2973rd Council meeting on General Affairs held in Brussels on 16 November 2009 adopted two decisions on the creation of a joint Cariforum-EU Council, as provided for by a economic partnership agreement between Cariforum (15 Caribbean states) and the EU. The decisions concern EU positions on–the rules of procedure of the joint Cariforum-EU Council, the trade development committee and special committees provided for by the economic partnership agreement; the participation in the Cariforum-EU consultative committee and the selection of the representatives of organisations.

This series of reports is prepared on a monthly basis by DG Enterprise and Industry. It aims at describing the impact of the economic crisis on of the manufacturing and construction industries. In recent months EU manufacturing output seems to have stabilised with confidence surveys also showing a more positive outlook. This suggests that the inventory correction has begun to reach its end and that over the coming months manufacturing output could be expected to start to recover. Indeed, data on new orders and export volumes have also shown some improvement. In contrast, output in the construction industry has continued to fall.

Time and again, groups representing farmers picketed the offices of the European Commission, the Office of the Prime Minister at White Hall and several other state offices to express their concerns over the funding. Farmers feared that government was stalling in taking up the offer by the EU of some Euro $41 million to be used in minimising the environmental, social and economic impacts of government’s decision to withdraw from the sugar industry. And while plans are indeed moving ahead by government to use EU funding for the restructuring programme developed for the sugar industry, the Cane Producers Association fear government is attempting to exclude its members in benefiting from this support. EU funding will be delivered in four fixed tranches, once government is able to fulfill three conditions of the financing agreement. Four variable tranches are also available, once the country is able to fulfill additional criteria.

Many times coffee producers and traders are caught unaware by the volatility in international prices which leads them into making losses and being less competitive. This can be avoided, if the traders were equipped with knowledge and techniques in price risk management efficiency in times of crisis. Being a vital cash commodity to East Africa, where in Uganda alone over a million households rely on coffee, the World Bank through its Agriculture and Rural Development, has introduced a Commodity Risk Management course to equip and train coffee traders and producers on how to handle the situation in times of volatile prices. To benefit from this course facility, are the Eastern African Fine Coffee Association, eleven member countries. Funding has been secured from the European Union's Africa Caribbean Pacific Agricultural Commodities Programme and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).