Reiterating the ministry’s commitment to global trade regime’s rules and regulations and that the misalignments was a result of lapses in procedure but not of intent, industry minister Matrika Yadav today said that it has, though, created an avalanche of awareness.
Addressing an interaction programme organised Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies (MoICS) and South Asia Watch on Trade and Economics and Environment (SAWTEE) to discuss Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS)-related international laws and practices which could impact agriculture trade, Yadav pointed out that despite the initial turmoil created by recent policy change by the government and its retraction, it has also created an avalanche of awareness. He also stressed the need to create awareness amongst the stakeholders regarding the issues related to World Trade Organisation (WTO) and other regional and bilateral agreements.
Considering the recent decision by the government to make pesticides residue mandatory for the fruits and vegetables imports and eventual withdrawal of the decision within 18 days and ensuing public reaction, the programme aimed at unknotting the issue. The main objective of the programme was to create awareness on SPS issues in agriculture trade and discuss measures that Nepal should undertake in moving forward.
On the occasion, industry secretary Kedar Bahadur Adhikari stressed the need to build legal, institutional and other mechanisms to regulate import as well export. He said that human resource is not a problem with the government but managing them properly is an issue. “We have reached a stage where all the basic framework have been set up and hence are in a state to leap frog and make rapid progress,” he said.
Likewise, chairman of SAWTEE Dr Posh Raj Pandey, on the occasion, stressed the need to build related institutions and coordination amongst the relevant government institutions. He said that being a party to international agreements we have to be mindful of both the rights and duties and, hence, this programme is to discuss the optimal way to protect plant, animal and human life while honouring the international, regional and bilateral agreements. He further added that we need to make an attempt to discuss this issue with relevant stakeholders to build consensus for the way forward.
Presenting a paper on ‘SPS measures in Nepal’s agricultural trade’, research director of SAWTEE Dr Paras Kharel highlighted the high degree of import dependency on India for agricultural and food products, indicating that any disruptions at the borders will have severe implications.
Calling attention to the ‘letter’ – allegedly sent by Indian Embassy in Kathmandu in response to Nepal’s policy change with regard to fruits and vegetables imports – he pointed out that it only talked about phytosanitary certificate, which, in reality, does not concern pesticides residue tests. His paper further delineated current sanitary and phytosanitary constraints such as lack of legislations, institutional inadequacies, human resources constraints, and most importantly, extremely poor state of testing facilities. Adoption of international standards for commodities that currently do not have standards, upgradation of laboratories, accreditation over the most important parameters and, ultimately, the mutual recognition agreements with the major trading partners, were pointed out as the likely way forward.
Emphasising the need to protect the consumers from pesticides residue risks, chief at the Plant Quarantine and Pest Management Centre (PQPMC) Dr Dilli Ram Sharma pointed out the lapses made by government while implementing the policy, particularly, the failure to notify the policy change in advance, six months being the legally binding international norms. He also mentioned that pesticides test on each consignment of perishable items is not infeasible but also unprecedented globally and, hence, procedures like screening, certifications, risk-based sampling must be adopted to ensure that trade continues as usual and consumer health is not compromised. He also informed that agriculture ministry and its other bodies is rapidly moving ahead with necessary changes and the upcoming meeting between National Plant Protection Organisations of India and Nepal will be taking crucial decisions on August 16 in addressing these issues bilaterally.
Likewise, chairman of Forum for Consumer Protection Jyoti Baniya pointed out the lack of proper legislative framework as a key constraint, for example, Nepal has not promulgated new laws to replace the outdated Food Act and Import Export Act. Nepal is yet to come up with the much-needed Accreditation Act.
Joint secretary at the ministry Madhu Kumar Marasini pointed out the need to undertake more such consultations for strengthening out sanitary and phytosanitary regime so that consumer health interest are preserved and trade disruptions are avoided.
Similarly managing director at the Agriculture Enterprise Centre (AEC) under Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industries (FNCCI) Dinesh Parajuli pointed out the need to enhance awareness among farmers regarding use of pesticides, as well as, improving capacity of Nepali laboratories and human resource.
Other participants of the programme included officials from concerned department under MoALD, representatives from farmers’ associations, consumer and human rights activists, representatives from media, among others. They pointed out the need for equipped laboratories, internationally-recognised accreditation of laboratories, paving the way for mutual recognition agreements, and effective coordination between government agencies and other stakeholders.
Addressing an interaction programme organised Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies (MoICS) and South Asia Watch on Trade and Economics and Environment (SAWTEE) to discuss Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS)-related international laws and practices which could impact agriculture trade, Yadav pointed out that despite the initial turmoil created by recent policy change by the government and its retraction, it has also created an avalanche of awareness. He also stressed the need to create awareness amongst the stakeholders regarding the issues related to World Trade Organisation (WTO) and other regional and bilateral agreements.
Considering the recent decision by the government to make pesticides residue mandatory for the fruits and vegetables imports and eventual withdrawal of the decision within 18 days and ensuing public reaction, the programme aimed at unknotting the issue. The main objective of the programme was to create awareness on SPS issues in agriculture trade and discuss measures that Nepal should undertake in moving forward.
On the occasion, industry secretary Kedar Bahadur Adhikari stressed the need to build legal, institutional and other mechanisms to regulate import as well export. He said that human resource is not a problem with the government but managing them properly is an issue. “We have reached a stage where all the basic framework have been set up and hence are in a state to leap frog and make rapid progress,” he said.
Likewise, chairman of SAWTEE Dr Posh Raj Pandey, on the occasion, stressed the need to build related institutions and coordination amongst the relevant government institutions. He said that being a party to international agreements we have to be mindful of both the rights and duties and, hence, this programme is to discuss the optimal way to protect plant, animal and human life while honouring the international, regional and bilateral agreements. He further added that we need to make an attempt to discuss this issue with relevant stakeholders to build consensus for the way forward.
Presenting a paper on ‘SPS measures in Nepal’s agricultural trade’, research director of SAWTEE Dr Paras Kharel highlighted the high degree of import dependency on India for agricultural and food products, indicating that any disruptions at the borders will have severe implications.
Calling attention to the ‘letter’ – allegedly sent by Indian Embassy in Kathmandu in response to Nepal’s policy change with regard to fruits and vegetables imports – he pointed out that it only talked about phytosanitary certificate, which, in reality, does not concern pesticides residue tests. His paper further delineated current sanitary and phytosanitary constraints such as lack of legislations, institutional inadequacies, human resources constraints, and most importantly, extremely poor state of testing facilities. Adoption of international standards for commodities that currently do not have standards, upgradation of laboratories, accreditation over the most important parameters and, ultimately, the mutual recognition agreements with the major trading partners, were pointed out as the likely way forward.
Emphasising the need to protect the consumers from pesticides residue risks, chief at the Plant Quarantine and Pest Management Centre (PQPMC) Dr Dilli Ram Sharma pointed out the lapses made by government while implementing the policy, particularly, the failure to notify the policy change in advance, six months being the legally binding international norms. He also mentioned that pesticides test on each consignment of perishable items is not infeasible but also unprecedented globally and, hence, procedures like screening, certifications, risk-based sampling must be adopted to ensure that trade continues as usual and consumer health is not compromised. He also informed that agriculture ministry and its other bodies is rapidly moving ahead with necessary changes and the upcoming meeting between National Plant Protection Organisations of India and Nepal will be taking crucial decisions on August 16 in addressing these issues bilaterally.
Likewise, chairman of Forum for Consumer Protection Jyoti Baniya pointed out the lack of proper legislative framework as a key constraint, for example, Nepal has not promulgated new laws to replace the outdated Food Act and Import Export Act. Nepal is yet to come up with the much-needed Accreditation Act.
Joint secretary at the ministry Madhu Kumar Marasini pointed out the need to undertake more such consultations for strengthening out sanitary and phytosanitary regime so that consumer health interest are preserved and trade disruptions are avoided.
Similarly managing director at the Agriculture Enterprise Centre (AEC) under Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industries (FNCCI) Dinesh Parajuli pointed out the need to enhance awareness among farmers regarding use of pesticides, as well as, improving capacity of Nepali laboratories and human resource.
Other participants of the programme included officials from concerned department under MoALD, representatives from farmers’ associations, consumer and human rights activists, representatives from media, among others. They pointed out the need for equipped laboratories, internationally-recognised accreditation of laboratories, paving the way for mutual recognition agreements, and effective coordination between government agencies and other stakeholders.
2 comments:
veri nice information
Nice Article, thanks for sharing
HM Indigo, HM Indigo JP Nagar, HM Indigo Bangalore, Property in JP Nagar Phase 9 HM Indigo. More about HM Indigo. HM Indigo located in Bangalore, The convenience being offered by this residential project comprise Business Center, Coffee Shop, Indoor Games, children’s play area, swimming pool, clubhouse, gymnasium, cafeteria, sports comfort, exercise more.
HM Indigo JP Nagar Bangalore
Post a Comment