Asian Seminar on 'International Standards for

							                           ASIAN REGIONAL SEMINAR

  SAFE AND HIGH QUALITY FOOD FOR INTERNATIONAL TRADE
                              4-5 April 2002, New Delhi

                                     organised by

    United Nations              Government of India                     EAN

      UNESCAP                 Department of Commerce             EAN International
       UNECE                  Ministry of Commerce &               EAN India
                                      Industry
        APCTT
                                  in association with

                                  Ministry of Food
                                Processing Industries
                                        And
                              CIFTI, APEDA, MPEDA



BACKGROUND: INCREASING CONCERN WITH FOOD SAFETY AND QUALITY

  Bad news about food products reaches us nearly every day.

  Issues like BSE (Bovine Spongiform Encephalitis), food poisoning due to different
  agents, residues (pesticides, hormones, antibiotics etc.) in food and the safety of
  GMOs (Genetically Modified Organisms) get extensive coverage in the press.

  Safety is most important but apart from that the consumers today are also concerned
  about the quality of the food they eat and the way it has been produced.

  Too many times have they bought tomatoes that only taste of water, peaches that have
  been harvested too early, meat that looks great but does not taste like it used to etc.

  Animal welfare during production and transport is an important issue for many and
  intensive production methods are being criticized because of their environmental
  impact. The sales of organically produced food show high growth rates in many
  countries.

  Whether the situation today is really much worse than at other times in history is not
  the question. Relevant is that the markets are sensitive and the choice is big in
  developed countries – lost confidence has to be build up again. The consumer
   demands answers and actions which has caused governments and the industry to
   develop new procedures and controls.

   Who wants to trade internationally today needs to work according to best practices
   which comply with, or even exceed existing international standards and regulations.

   Additionally to working according to the rules to achieve the best and safest products,
   they should be traceable forward and backward along the supply chain.

   Those who do not start today to implement the measures necessary to comply with
   the requirements of tomorrow will necessarily lose business in the future.

OBJECTIVES: AWARENESS, ASSISTANCE, APPLICATION

   There is a need for information on food safety and quality requirements and their
   potential impact on the capability to trade especially among the partners in the food
   supply chain in developing countries.

   In this seminar internationally recognized experts will inform about the various
   aspects of food quality and safety, market access and trade facilitation.

   In panel and plenary discussions the needs of the region will be assessed in
   cooperation with the participants. Based on the results of the needs assessment the
   seminar will work on a plan for assistance to developing countries to implement
   global best practices.

   This can be done through national and regional forums with participants from
   governments, international organizations and trade/industry bodies which would on
   the one hand inform and assist developing countries but on the other ensure that their
   voices are being heard in the international bodies which they can in many cases not
   attend themselves.

PROVISIONAL PROGRAMME

   The provisional program is attached. Participants will have ample opportunity to pose
   questions and discuss directly with the experts.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND THIS SEMINAR

   Exporters, producers, traders, government officials dealing with international food
   trade.