CIAA preaches gospel of free trade for food
Mediterranean countries is vital for the expansion of lucrative new
markets, according to the CIAA.
As a result, the food industry body has roundly welcomed the EU Council's decision to open trade negotiations with its Mediterranean partners.
As part of the so-called Barcelona Process, which began ten years ago this month, the negotiations will aim to establish the framework for wide-ranging trade liberalisation by 2010, involving all the countries that touch the Mediterranean from Morocco through to Turkey.
However, the CIAA (Confederation of the Food and Drink Industries of the EU) is adamant that significant progress in the liberalisation of food trade is crucial for the overall success of this Euromed project.
While accepting that there are a limited number of exceptions to the principle of trade liberalisation to take account of particular sensitivity of certain food products, the organisation is driving for improved access to Mediterranean countries by identifying specific products such as cheeses, butter, confectionery products and biscuits, vegetable oils and flour.
This is not surprising. With more than 600 million consumers in 2010, the Euro-Mediterranean Free Trade Area (EMFTA) is an attractive and expanding market.
The Mediterranean countries are already an important export destination for European food and drink products with a positive €1.1 billion trade balance largely favourable to the EU. The food and drink industry has therefore enthusiastically backed the reaffirmation of the 2010 target date for establishing EMFTA.
"Trade liberalisation is one of the priorities in our European Neighbourhood Policy," said Mariann Fischer Boel, Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development.
"The liberalisation of agricultural trade would bring considerable benefits for both sides, helping to generate growth, create jobs and boost investment. Of course, we must proceed gradually and take account of the genuine sensitivities surrounding certain products."
Indeed, non-tariff aspects remain key areas of the negotiations. The CIAA also wants to see an efficient dispute settlement system and a reciprocal protection of the specific character of products put in place.
Other areas of discussion include the convergence with EU food safety standards and the approximation of laws in other EU food regulatory areas, and the simplification of customs procedures.
The negotiations should be concluded in sufficient time to allow the entry into force of the revised agreements preferably on 1 January 2007. This would allow the implementation of the necessary adjustments over a reasonable transition period, so as to achieve trade liberalisation by 2010 as foreseen in the Barcelona Process.
