This page provides information on recent BioTrade activities and developments.

BioTrade and the Santa Cruz de la Sierra Declaration

The Environmental and Sustainable Development authorities of Member States of the Andean Community (CAN) convened in the city of Santa Cruz (Bolivia) on 30 and 31 May 2007. There, they agreed upon the Santa Cruz de la Sierra Declaration of May, that includes recognition of BioTrade as an important tool to promote  the sustainable use of biodiversity in the Andean region and strengthen the Andean and Amazon BioTrade programmes. Special mention was made of the participation of BioTrade national programmes at the trade fair ExpoSustentat, that will take place in São Paulo, Brazil, in October 2007.

 For the full text (in Spanish), please click here.

June 2007

Baobab takes a step closer to EU market

The Novel Foods Committee of the Foods Standards Agency has issued a publication that could move baobab a step closer to approval as a food ingredient in the European Union.

Baobab is a large green or brown fruit of the Adansonia digitata tree. It can be used in a range of food products including smoothies and cereal bars, as well as a de-pectinised pulp for use in biscuits, confectionery, and other related food products. 

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 Photo: PhytoTrade Africa

BioTrade features in CITES CoP decision on incentive measures

The Conference of the Parties of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) was held from 2 to 15 June 2007. One of the issues relevant to BioTrade activities with CITES-listed species is the question of positive incentive measures.

On 8 June, the Secretariat introduced the document on incentives for implementation of the Convention proposing decisions to, inter alia, continue cooperation with UNCTAD’s BioTrade Initiative.

[Full text + final outcome]

Photo: Opening ceremony

(Source: CITES Secretariat)

June 2007

CITES opens its 14th Conference of the Parties: Call of the Wild

3 June 2007. The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) opened its next triennial conference today at the World Forum Convention Center in The Hague (Netherlands). The fourteenth Conference of the Parties (CoP) will run from 3 to 15 June 2007 to decide how to improve the wildlife trade regime.

Among other issues, the participating Governments will consider some 40 new proposals for amending the rules for specific species. Many of these proposals reflect growing international concern about the accelerating destruction of the world’s marine and forest resources through overfishing and excessive logging.

The UNCTAD BioTrade Initiative has been working with CITES authorities to facilitate the organisation and consolidation of value chains for wildlife products, and the integration of actors into these chains. BioTrade will therefore be hosting two side events at the conference that will report on progress made and provide a platform for discussions between the parties and the private sector.

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Photo: Opening ceremony (Source: CITES Secretariat)

June 2007

UNCTAD and IFC hold critical meeting with

private sector on biodiversity

The private sector has long been identified as an important partner of international organisations in their achievement of development goals.

This is no different for the biodiversity-related Multi-lateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs), that have specific biodiversity goals that require the participation of the private sector in order to see them come to fruition.

For example, the Convention of Biological Diversity (CBD) has singled out the private sector as an important player in the conservation, sustainable use of biodiversity, as well as the equitable sharing of benefits that are derived from this resource (see decision VIII/17).

For this reason, UNCTAD, in cooperation with the International Finance Cooperation (IFC), held a meeting to bring together the Secretariats of MEAs like CITES, CBD, UNCCD/Global Mechanism and Ramsar and members of the private sector involved in natural ingredients in the foods and cosmetics sector on 11 May 2007. Discussions and presentations addressed ways in which these conventions can better engage business in this particular sector and, reciprocally, how the private sector could contribute more to the implementation of these Agreements.

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May 2007

Geneva Welcomes Vitafoods 2007

This month Geneva opens its doors again to Vitafoods International, the largest and most important nutraceutical event in Europe, combining the areas of nutraceuticals, cosmeceuticals, functional foods and drinks. The trade fair will take place at Geneva's Palexpo, from 8 to 10 May 2007.

In 2006 Vitafoods welcomed 4,886 attendees from 76 countries and 300 exhibiting companies. This year it celebrates its tenth birthday.

Over the past decade the event has grown steadily year-on-year placing it firmly as the must-attend event in the nutraceuticals calendar. For BioTrade, Vitafoods offers companies in this arena the chance to showcase new biodiversity-based products to distributors, importers and wholesalers in the industry.

BioTrade partners CBI and SIPPO will also be participating at the trade fair, where BioTrade companies will be present.

For more information on Vitafoods 2007, and for registration, please visit: www.vitafoods.eu.com

May 2007

Start signal for 2007 World Challenge

Now in its third year, the Shell-sponsored 2007 World Challenge has been launched and is looking for nominations for projects that make a difference to local communities.

World Challenge, a partnership with BBC World and Newsweek, is seeking and rewarding innovators and entrepreneurs who are implementing grassroots solutions to issues like poverty, hunger and pollution in their local areas. The winner of World Challenge 2007 will receive a grant of US$20,000 to invest and help develop their project even further, and two runners up will each receive US$10,000.

Nominations are open until 6 May 2007. Each entry will be judged by a panel of experts, who will determine the twelve finalists, to be announced in Q4 of this year. In a following media campaign by BBC World and Newsweek, the public can cast their votes for the winning entry. The winners of this year’s World Challenge will be announced in December 2007.

For more information and to complete a nomination form, visit the World Challenge web site: www.theworldchallenge.co.uk

For information on last year's prize winners, click here.

[photo: Biocomercio/Colombia]

April 2007

BTFP organises Regional Workshop in Quito

From 26 February to 1 March 2007, UNCTAD BTFP and the Andean Community (CAN) hosted a regional workshop in Quito, Ecuador. The two parties invited different actors from the BioTrade National Programmes and the private sector to discuss BTFP, its activities and the Andean BioTrade Programme. The primary objectives of the workshop were to update participants on some of the outcomes of last year's activities, hear feedback from a range of biotrade stakeholders, and coordinate an action plan for 2007.  

The topics addressed by the workshop included: future activities within the framework of the Andean and Amazon BioTrade Programmes; concrete results from processes initiated in 2006 by the BTFP, such as the formulation of the Union for Ethical BioTrade, guidelines for the equitable sharing of benefits, and the impact and information assessment systems; proposed work plans and processes already underway in projects belonging to the Andean and Amazon BioTrade Programmes; and the second phase of BTFP.

In parallel to the workshop, focal points from BioTrade National Programmes held a meeting with members of the newly-formed Andean Trade Association for Natural Ingredients. The idea of this Association was conceived in 2006 with the support of BTFP, and is the result of the work carried out by the Andean countries on their own value chains for natural ingredients. Final outcomes of this process were examined by the private sector so as to prepare a proposal that can be put before other BioTrade partners at regional level for their discussion (BioTrade National Programmes, UNCTAD and CAN).

[photo: © Sandra O'Claire]

March 2007

Workshop encourages collaboration among biodiversity-related MEAs

On 14 and 15 November 2006, UNCTAD held a strategic workshop bringing together relevant experts from the Secretariats of the biodiversity-related conventions and partner organisations. The workshop entitled, “Biodiversity and the Global Market Economy”, took place in the nineteenth century Villa le Bocage located at UNCTAD’s headquarters in Geneva (pictured right). This provided the perfect setting for informal discussions on the challenges and opportunities faced by the different Secretariats in implementing the Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs) within the context of the global market economy.

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November 2006

BTFP holds value chain analysis workshop in Vietnam

On 16-17 October, the BioTrade Facilitation Programme and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) of Vietnam held a National Value Chain Analysis Workshop for the natural ingredients sector in Vietnam. The objective of this workshop was to bring together national institutions and the private sector to discuss the status of the natural ingredients sector and identify priority areas to promote Vietnam’s natural ingredients in international markets.

The value chain analysis workshop was a first step towards developing an export strategy for natural ingredients, using a sectoral approach that complements on-going efforts at national level.

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October 2006

Ugandan biotrade companies win awards

Two companies, supported by the BioTrade National Programme of Uganda, won awards at the President’s Export Awards 2006. This is an annual event organised by the Uganda Export Promotion Board to recognise and encourage the business sector in their export achievements and honour the best performing exporters. The prestigious award ceremony was held on 6th October 2006, at Kampala Sheraton Hotel.

Over 30 product groups in 13 broad sector categories were vying for the Gold, Silver and Bronze awards. This year’s theme: “Casting the net wide - the regionalisation agenda” mainly focused on the new integration of East Africa. It was aimed at encouraging Uganda's local exporters to look beyond their local markets and take on a wider perspective.

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October 2006

BioTrade holds Meeting on the Union for Ethical BioTrade in Paris

On 13 September 2006, the BioTrade Initiative convened a Business Meeting to discuss the creation of the Union for Ethical BioTrade (UEBT) in Paris. The event brought together companies from the cosmetic and health industries.

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BioTrade holds workshop on benefit-sharing

The equitable sharing of benefits arising from the use of biodiversity is a fundamental tenet of the BioTrade Initiative and a critical element of the sustainable use of biodiversity under the Convention on Biological Diversity. In its work towards the sustainable use of biological resources, BioTrade is working to guide companies on how to best fulfil equitable benefit-sharing principles.

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September 2006

PhytoTrade Africa launches Natural Product Awards 2006

PhytoTrade Africa, a partner of the BioTrade Initiative, is launching a set of annual awards for achievement in the Natural Products industry in Southern Africa. The idea is to try and use these awards to raise the profile of the industry, and to demonstrate to a wider public the social and environmental returns from investing in this sector. PhytoTrade Africa specifically promotes products derived from indigenous plants that meet certain Fair Trade and sustainability criteria.

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September 2006

Exotic foods take centre stage in Brussels

As part of a strategy to contribute to the decisions made over the revision of the Novel Foods Regulation (NFR), Andean countries coordinated their efforts by hosting a dégustation event of exotic foods at the European Commission's Directorate-General for Agriculture and Rural Development. The food exhibit was held during the event "Fruits and other exotic products of the Andean Community (CAN) and quality products from the European Union".

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Ms. Rocio Lozano Collantes appointed as new Head of IPPN

On 21 July 2006, Ms. Rocio Lozano Collantes was appointed the new Head of the Peruvian Institute of Natural Products (IPPN). Ms. Collantes was selected for the position on her merits as a graduate of economics with substantial experience in the agro-export sector, particularly in the field of natural ingredients. UNCTAD BioTrade and PROMPEX are strengthening the natural ingredients sector in Peru through IPPN as part of the national strategy for BioTrade.

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August 2006

Baobab fruit pulp as a novel food ingredient

BioTrade partner, PhytoTrade Africa - the Southern African Natural Products Trade Association - has recently submitted its application to the UK Food Standards Agency to approve baobab fruit pulp as a novel food ingredient. The application includes the use of the fruit pulp as a novel food ingredient for use in a range of food products including smoothies and cereal bars, as well as a de-pectinised pulp for use in biscuits, confectionery, and other related food products. Before any new food product is introduced onto the European market, it must be assessed for safety. In the UK, the assessment of novel foods is carried out by an independent committee of scientists appointed by the Food Standards Agency, the Advisory Committee on Novel Foods and Processes (ACNFP). For more information on the submission of boabab fruit pulp to the ACNFP, visit: http://www.acnfp.gov.uk/assess/fullapplics/baobab

[photo: PhytoTrade Africa]

August 2006

Meeting of the Committee on SPS measures discusses traditional food and the EC Novel Food Regulation

In the 27-28 June 2006 meeting of the World Trade Organization (WTO) Committee on Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) measures, a number of countries reaffirmed their concerns regarding the negative impact of the EC Novel Foods Regulation on the market for natural foods and ingredients from developing countries.  Under this legislation, these products are deemed “novel” because they were not consumed by Europeans prior to 15 May 1997, and must thus comply with a lengthy and complex process to gain access to the European market.

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Colombia launches first BioTrade Observatory in Andean region
 

On 8 June 2006, Colombia’s BioTrade Programme launched its National Biotrade Observatory – Obio – the first in the Andean region. It represents a fundamental tool for the decision-making of entrepreneurs and local communities toward competitiveness, by publishing basic and analytical information on promising markets and products from Colombia’s biodiversity.

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June 2006

The European Commission launches online consultation on the NFR

On 2 June 2006, The European Commission (EC) launched its online consultation on the revision of the Novel Foods Regulation (NFR), designed to gather input from the general public, stakeholders and Member States. With this information, the EC will be able to carry out an impact assessment for a future legislative proposal to revise the current NFR. The Commission is also seeking feedback on how to create a more streamlined authorisation procedure, which takes into account particular needs of traditional exotic food from third counties and which is adjusted to applications which cover several food uses.

It is important that BTFP partners provide inputs in order to identify the positive and negative impact of the proposed policy options; contributions will help the Commission to make an informed judgement on the design of its legal proposal. The consultation will run for 8 weeks, until 1 August 2006.

·    For the EC explanatory document (PDF) on the online consultation, please click here.
·    To take part in the consultation, please click here.
·   For more information on Novel Foods, with background documents and reports, please visit our Novel Foods section of the site.

Check out Missing The Market

For a review of the NFR and how products are missing the market, see BioTrade's contribution to the this month's issue of the ICTSD newsletter "Bridges"  (p.21). Click here to download the PDF.

June 2006
 

PhytoTrade Africa holds its AGM

From 30 May to 1 June 2006 PhytoTrade Africa held its Annual General Meeting in Johannesburg. Over forty members, partners and donors joined Executive Office staff for fruitful discussions that included: Research and Development feedback seminars for PhytoTrade Africa Industry Groups;  “Meet the Buyer” sessions with Aldivia, PhytoTrade Africa commercial partner and French-based specialist lipids company; Presentations by PhytoTrade Africa partners including UNCTAD BioTrade Initiative, the Natural Futures programme of IUCN and CP Wild; a “Share Fair” for members to display their products and a technical training session for members pre-shipment quality control and record keeping for traceability

June 2006
 

BioTrade natural ingredients highlighted at Vitafoods International

Vitafoods International, the largest and most important nutraceutical trade fair in Europe, has drawn to a close. The event was an important opportunity for BioTrade companies who were able to showcase their innovative biodiversity-based ingredients and promote the sustainability of their products and services at the SIPPO stand. SIPPO is a partner of the BioTrade Facilitation Programme of UNCTAD, working jointly with exporters from developing countries to develop market strategies to differentiate BioTrade products in business markets. Visitors to the fair were able to wander the SIPPO stand and experience first hand the array of products on offer. 

BioTrade active at the Vitafoods Seminar Theatre

The Vitafoods Theatre was an additional platform in the fair for businesses to promote their brands and products. Mark Hein from the Peruvian Natural Products Institute (IPPN) gave a 30-minute presentation on the biological resources of Peru and products Peruvian BioTrade companies have to offer. Highlighting products like Maca, Yacón root, Camu camu, Sasha inchi and Purple corn, he gave a convincing plea to the industry to incorporate sustainable business solutions that include both social and economic aspects. The audience was left with the distinctive message that countries rich in biodiversity, such as Peru, hold great potential for the development of natural ingredients. The Theatre was also a great opportunity to network with other buyers and sellers.
 

UNCTAD hosts business roundtable on BioTrade

In parallel to Vitafoods, the UNCTAD BioTrade Facilitation Programme (BTFP) organised a business roundtable entitled, “Responding to the Convention on Biological Diversity in the food, health and cosmetics industries”, which took place on 10 May 2006.  The discussion was moderated by UNCTAD’s Deputy Secretary-General Mr. Dirk J. Bruinsma, who said he appreciated such a lively discussion from private and public-sector participants spanning Africa, Asia, Europe, North America and South America. The roundtable was an opportunity to address important questions on the relevance of biodiversity to businesses and consumers. Businesses agreed that biodiversity is a source of innovation, important to humankind and that they can contribute to its sustainable use. One particular point of interest was the Ethical Union for BioTrade – proposed to join like-minded companies trying to incorporate CBD principles into their business model. The business community represented at the event showed interest in this proposal and encouraged BioTrade to continue such activities. The event also gave importers and exporters a chance to share their experiences and propose actions for the future. For the Roundtable Report, please click here.

All in all, Vitafoods has been a fruitful experience for the companies supported by BioTrade and its partners. It has given them the chance to gain visibility in the nutraceutical industry, promote their products’ with the distinctive quality of being “CBD-compliant”, and meet an important number of potential buyers.

May 2006
 

Geneva welcomes Vitafoods International 2006

The concept of biotrade is gaining increasing attention in the food, pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries. Biotrade is seen not only as an important strategy to achieve the 2015 targets of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), but also to achieve the broader the Millennium Development Goal (MDG) objectives which can actively contribute to sustainable development. The private sector is of course a crucial stakeholder in this process, the eighth MDG being to "build a global partnership for development", advocating fair trade.

This month Geneva opens its doors again to Vitafoods International, the largest and most important nutraceutical event in Europe, combining the areas of nutraceuticals, cosmeceuticals, functional foods and drinks. The trade fair will take place in Pavilion Hall 1 of the Geneva Palexpo, 9-11 May 2006. The event offers biotrade companies the chance to showcase new biodiversity-based products to distributors, importers and wholesalers in the industry. This year also sees the launch of the Finished Products Expo to run along side Vitafoods, offering further business opportunities to biotrade companies.

BioTrade at Vitafoods

The BioTrade Initiative will be present at Vitafoods, supporting the work of biotrade enterprises and organisations from developing countries seeking to export their products to international markets. BioTrade can be found at the SIPPO stand (129 & 139), Pavilion Hall 1.

To mark this important event, the BioTrade Initiative will be holding various discussions around the pressing issues of BioTrade, forging the link between the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and the dynamics of the nutraceutical industry.

In parallel to Vitafoods, there will also be an additional Business BioTrade Roundtable held at UNCTAD’s headquarters in Geneva. This discussion will look at how the attention of the food, health and cosmetic industries’ is turning towards the CBD as consumer interest in the social and ecological aspects of finished products increases. The Roundtable will give the floor to importers and exporters to discuss issues such as the best approaches in bringing such products to the markets, and the hurdles that exist to incorporate the biotrade concept into business practices.

The BioTrade Initiative looks forward to participating in this important trade fair, and is excited about the opportunities that will be generated for its biotrade companies and partners. Don’t miss the Vitafoods seminar theatre, which provides an important platform to promote brands and products, and further networking opportunities!

For more information on Vitafoods, please visit: www.vitafoods.eu.com.

May 2006
 

WTO NFR Update

On 29 March 2006, the Committee on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures of the WTO discussed the EC Novel Food Regulation. Colombia, Ecuador and Peru brought to the attention their specific trade concerns regarding the NFR. In their view the NFR runs counter to the WTO Agreement of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures. They welcomed the revision process the EC is currently undertaking and requested the EC to speed up this process and exclude traditional exotics during the process.

The EC responded by saying that the NFR is principally targeted at new technologies, that EU consumers appreciate exotic products, but that some of them have caused safety problems in the past. It continued to say that the NFR is being reviewed right now and that the concern expressed in the SPS will need to be taken into account to the extent possible.

In their interventions the Andean countries mentioned their countries' wealth in biodiversity, the wide range of products derived from this diversity that are consumed by local populations, and the sustainable development opportunities that trade in such products could bring. Exports of these products contribute to their quest to reduce poverty, combat cultivation of illegal crops, and use their natural resources in a sustainable way. The NFR acts as a trade barrier as the EU market doesn't allow easy entrance of products unknown to the EU market before 1997, regardless of long tradition of human consumption outside the EU.

For WTO news update on NFR, click:   English    Spanish

For more information on the NFR, click here

For more information on the WTO SPS Committee:
Click here for English
Click here for Spanish

April 2006
 

BioTrade at COP-8

The eighth Conference of the Parties (COP-8) to the Convention of Biological Diversity (CBD) came to an end on 31 March 2006. The session attracted the largest number of participants in the history of the Convention, with a record participation of stakeholders, several of which were from the private sector, and an unprecedented number of side events.

The Secretary-General of UNCTAD, Dr. Supachai Panitchpakdi, delivered a statement at the Ministerial Roundtable on 28 March, where he upheld the objectives of the CBD, and stressed that biodiversity loss is not inevitable, but stopping it, or slowing it down is a matter of policy choice. He highlighted the work of the BioTrade Initiative as contributing towards a solution, promoting trade and investment of biodiversity products and fostering sustainable development in the process. He went on to say: "BioTrade" refers to the gamut of activities involving the collection, production, transformation and commercialization of goods and services derived from native biodiversity. These goods and services must moreover be produced and traded in accordance with basic criteria of environmental, social and economic sustainability." For the full text of the Secretary General's statement, please click here.

The UNCTAD BioTrade Initiative held a series of side events, workshops and a roundtable during the conference to create a platform for partners, the private sector and NGOs to come together and discuss the pressing issues surrounding BioTrade and the conservation of biodiversity.

Global Biodiversity Forum 

As part of the Global Diversity Forum (GBF), the BioTrade Initiative facilitated workshops on “Verifying Biodiversity Trade”. This event brought together approximately 60 people from the private sector, NGOs, and intergovernmental organisations to explore options for verifying the sustainability of biodiversity-based businesses. This is particularly relevant to the COP-8 agenda items on incentives, private sector engagement and the 2010 targets. It is also directly relevant to the promotion of sustainable and equitable trade through CITES and the WTO Doha Agenda. Specifically, the participants call on the Parties to (a) support the integration of biodiversity into existing ethical certification processes, (b) strengthen the role of trade promotion initiatives in support of BioTrade, (c) finance much-needed biodiversity product development, and (d) build greater consumer awareness of biodiversity-benefiting businesses. By making trade work for biodiversity, bio-entrepreneurs can become key actors in conservation and poverty alleviation. For more information and full reports on this workshop and the Forum, click here.

Engaging the private sector: biodiversity business

As one of the objectives of BioTrade is to encourage the engagement of the private sector in biodiversity business, the BTFP took the opportunity to organise a roundtable on biodiversity and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). This was part of a two-day workshop on the role of the private sector in the implementation of the CBD. The roundtable, facilitated by the IFC, discussed the role that SMEs see for themselves in the context of the CBD. These companies, specifically those linked to the natural ingredients sector, shared their experiences and the challenges they face in areas such as certification, market access and benefit sharing. For the report on the roundtable, and a transcript of the discussions, click here.

The BioTrade Initiative held a side event on BioTrade: Incentives for biodiversity business, which contributed to the current discussions taking place on this issue. This event presented the contribution of the UNCTAD BioTrade Initiative and its National BioTrade Programmes to implement the CBD through incentives for small and medium biodiversity business. It also invited representatives from the Alexander von Humboldt Institute (Colombia), Labfarve (Colombia) and Phytotrade Africa (Southern Africa) and the National BioTrade Programme of Uganda to share their experiences.

Andean and Amazonian Gastronomy

Further to BioTrade side events, the Andean Community (CAN), presented the progress on its Andean Biodiversity Strategy, supported by the National BioTrade Programmes of Ecuador, Colombia, Peru and Boilvia. CAN laid on a high-level dinner to showcase Andean-Amazonian delicacies, using fruits such as papa, oca, mashua and olloco, among others. This event was attended by the Secretary General of UNCTAD, the Brazilian Minister for the Environment, the Secretary General of CAN and the Vice-President of CAF, among other dignitaries. For more information, access to original Spanish press release and photos of the event, click here.

Different activities we concluded on 28 March with a high-level cocktail, hosted by the Secretary General of UNCTAD.

For general documentation on the COP-8, programmes of side events held, and a list of all reports and press releases, click here.

The Eighth Meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (20-31 March 2006; Curitiba, Brazil) 

At the 8th Conference of the Parties (COP8) of the CBD, the UNCTAD BioTrade Initiative and the BioTrade Facilitation Programme (BTFP) will reconfirm their commitment to the objectives of the CBD..

Inter alia, BioTrade Initiative's  contribution to the work of the Parties during COP 8 will address following crucial topics:

• Incentive measures

• Sustainable use

• The CBD and the private sector, focus on Small and Medium Enterprises

• The 2010 biodiversity target:  Verifying Biodiversity trade

UNCTAD through the BioTrade Initiative believes that biodiversity loss is something that can be stopped. To do so, however, in the context of an increasingly globalised economy, we will need to make sure the process of globalisation – including the processes of international trade and finance – works for the benefit of biodiversity and not its loss

During the second week of COP8 in the Ministerial segment, the Secretary-General of UNCTAD, Dr. Supachai Panitchpakdi, will participate in the Roundtable dealing with Biodiversity and Trade.

     Programme, side events and more info available

March 2006

Novel Food discussion comes to Geneva

On 8 February 2006, 3 - 5.15pm, the UNCTAD Commission on Trade will be dedicated to discussions on the EU Novel Food Regulation (NFR). This follows the Brussels workshop, held on 1 December 2005 on the revision of the NFR, which created a platform for governments and exporters from developing countries, European importers, and European health and consumer protection agencies to discuss their experience with the current legislation. More information on theworkshop can be found by clicking here.

Due to the NFR, exporters in developing countries are faced with considerable hurdles when trying to introduce their range of traditional foods and food-ingredients to the European market: the EU’s strict interpretation of this regulation, many “exotic” products are considered “new” and consequently have to undergo special testing before pre-market authorisation can be granted. The impact of the NFR on biotrade in Europe is therefore enormous. 

Discussions on 8 February will address these issues, including the current EU NFR process, perspectives from the private sector, possible changes to be made to the regulation, and the need for coherent policies. The agenda can be found by clicking here.

The technical proposal suggested by UNCTAD, as well as a short issue paper and related presentations can be downloaded by clicking here.

February 2006

BTFP Supports Safe Quality Food Certification

Six companies in Peru have acquired the Safe Quality Food (SQF) seal, giving them excellent perspectives for export. The BioTrade Facilitation Programme (BTFP), financed by the Swiss State Secretariat of Economic Affairs (SECO) and the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs, supported the SQF certification programme in Peru, which took place between April and December 2005, and concluded with successful certification granted by the international certifier SGS.

The innovative feature of the SQF programme supported by the BTFP is that it included a component on BioTrade Principles and Criteria. The certification not only guarantees the safety and quality of products, but also rubber stamps the companies' efforts in implementing the Convention on Biological Diversity.

Systems of certification are becoming increasingly important to guarantee product quality to the consumer. This programme guarantees both the quality and safety of foods, giving companies access to large markets of agro-export.

The certificate will strengthen the presence of products in the international marketplace, increasing competitiveness. Juan Carlos Mathews, Executive Director of PROMPEX said such an internationally renowned certificate of quality on natural ingredients and products would mean a significant added value for buyers, distributors and consumers.

The SQF programme was organised by the Commission for the Promotion of Exports (PROMPEX), the BioTrade Programme of Peru and the Peruvian Institute of Natural Products (IPPN), with support from UNCTAD's BioTrade Facilitation Programme (BTFP).

With the support of the BioTrade Programme of Peru and BTFP, implementation of the BioTrade Principles and Criteria has meant companies wanting to export natural ingredients and products have put management systems in place to deliver products of excellence. With the SQF seal, their efforts can now be recognised internationally.

UNCTAD/BTFP on behalf of its partners, would like to express our sincere congratulations to these companies and our best wishes for new avenues of growth and collaboration 

January 2006

The companies that obtained the SQF certification were: Aurandina, Unión Farmacéutica, Laboratorios Induquímica, Laboratorios Fitofarma, Peruvian Nature and Laboratorios Hersil.

Sustainable Leather from Bolivia

Among the diverse fauna species native to Bolivia, the Lagarto (Caiman yacare) is one of the most important. Its commercial application in the leather and food industries generates income for communities living in marginalised regions of the country, usually suffering from extreme poverty.

However, there are various challenges to face in order to achieve the desired sustainable use and efficient production of goods derived from Lagarto in Bolivia.  Unsustainable hunting practices, mistrust between the rural communities and the processors/exporters, outdated technology, unrealistic trade quotas, and legislation that is rarely enforced, all hold back the development of this industry.

The private and public sectors’ common interest in fostering the production and exports of lagarto-derived products from Bolivia encouraged the BTFP and the BioTrade National Programme to contribute to this goal.  The value chain of Lagarto has been selected to receive support from the BTFP at various levels: sustainable production, access to external markets, product improvement, among others.

As part of the envisaged support, a value chain analysis workshop was carried out from 24 to 25 November 2005 in the city of Trinidad, in the Amazon region of Bolivia. The primary purpose of the workshop was to examine factors that underpin competitiveness and sustainable practices along the Lagarto supply chain. Participants at the workshop included environmental and other governmental officials, NGOs, community leaders, producers, transformers and exporters.

The outcomes of the workshop will be incorporated in the Lagarto value chain assessment which will reflect its potential and existing weaknesses. It will serve in identifying the intervention areas of the strategy used by the BTFP and partners in order to contribute to the development of this value chain under criteria for environmental, social and economic sustainability.

December 2005

Exporters from developing countries supported by CBI and BTFP exhibit their natural ingredients at the CPHI trade fair

Madrid, Spain 1-3 November 2005

Ten companies enrolled in the CBI´s export development programme for natural ingredients for pharmaceuticals and cosmetics and presented their product lines at the international trade fair CPhI. 

CPhI Worldwide is a comprehensive exhibition of manufacturers of active pharmaceutical ingredients, intermediates, excipients and natural extracts.  Around 20,000 industry professionals visit some 1,500 exhibiting companies from over 110 countries around the world.

Companies are from Colombia, El Salvador, Peru, the Philippines, Sri Lanka and Uganda.  BTFP provides support for companies in Colombia, Peru and Uganda.
 

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BTFP partners discuss biotrade certification

Madrid, Spain 31st October 2005

“How do we distinguish and position BioTrade natural ingredients from others that would seem to be identical but are produced in a less biodiversity-responsible way?”. This was the key question of a meeting where options to develop a scheme which enables the certification or recognition of BioTrade principles and criteria was discussed.

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