-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
RESULTS of the E-DISCUSSION
Introduction
The elaboration of a Policy Note on Trade and Subsidies Policies was identified as a priority activity of the first Theme (T1 = Vision and Strategy) of the first ALive Three-Year Action Plan (TAP1 / 2004-2007).
This note follows the standard elaboration process of the ALive policy notes, composed of 4 steps namely (1) redaction of the initial draft ( draft 1), (2) internal peer-review, (3) E-discussion and (4) regional workshop for its validation (
see detailed process
).
We are currently in the third stage (E-discussion) of the elaboration process. The objectives, organization, companion documents and chronogram of the E-discussion are detailed below.
The ultimate stage (regional workshop) will be held in Addis Ababa September 17, 2007. Detailed information regarding this workshop will be timely posted on the ALive website.
Please note that the ALive Policy Notes are living documents, intended to be reviewed once a year to take into account the latest developments of the international/regional context (WTO standards for instance), since they may have an influence on the recommendations provided. The electronic mailbox (
mailto:e-discussiontrade@alive-online.org
) - specifically put in place for this E-discussion - will remain functional, so that participants can continue reacting and commenting on the topic.
Reminder: Policy notes objectives / E-discussion objectives
- ALive Policy notes objectives (
click
)
- E-discussion objectives
The step of the E-discussion allows, on the basis of the initial draft of the policy note (draft 1 / steps 1 and 2 completed) the consultation and participation of a wide audience of livestock specialists dedicated to livestock development in sub-Saharan Africa, on a specific topic.
During this step, the following outputs are expected:
( i) confirmation of the diagnostic / situation report established in Draft 1 (diagnostic is generally consensual and not to be further debated);
(ii) confirmation of the main bottlenecks identified in Draft 1; identification of additional botllenecks in some cases;
(iii) identification of possible recommendations and political options to address the above mentionned issues.
The search for consensual options will be initiated at this stage, and pursued in depth during the regional workshop.
(iv) identification and gathering of initiatives (projects / programs) relating to the topic, in order to complete the on-going livestock portfolio review in sub-Saharan Africa, also part of the ALive TAP1 ( see
ALive livestock portfolio review
).
Trade and subsidies policies: key issues
Four main key issues (K) have already been identified during the first elaboration stage (redaction Draft 1) of the policy note dealing with Trade and subsidies:
-
K1: Improvement / enhancement of livestock supply-chains productivity in sub-Saharan Africa;
-
K2: How to facilitate the development of livestock supply-chains apt for export?
-
K3: Which role could the States play to favor international trade at the regional or intercontinental level?
-
K4: How to put in place policies that support and protect local supply-chains?
These 4 key issues will be weekly debated during the E-discussion. They will be detailed and explained when discussions are officially launched.
E-discussion organization
Each key-issue (see above) will be debated over a week period according to the following schedule :
- Monday week x : launching of the discussions on a given key issue (K1 --> K4);
- Monday to Friday: discussion time for the participants;
- Monday week x+1: summary of the discussions of the past week = (i) confirmation of the main bottlenecks / identification of additional ones in some cases; (ii) outlines for an initial consensus in terms of political options and recommendations.
Participants are invited to send their comments at: mailto:
e-discussionfoodsafety@alive-online.org
, specifically dedicated to the e-discussion on Trade and Subsidies.
Nota bene:
- This planning is indicative. At any time, participants can react on any key issue, should it be already discussed or not;
- Participants are also invited to endorse / discuss the discussion summary provided every week (support or not to the proposed consensus).
E-discussion time-table
The e-discussion will take place over 4 weeks = from August 6 to September 3, according to the following time-table:
- Monday August 6 --> official launching of the e-discussion on Trade and Subsidies Policies;
WEEK 1
- Monday August 6 --> General review of Draft 1; Launching of key issue #1 (K1) discussion
- Monday August 6 - Friday August 10--> time for discussion
- Monday August 13 --> summary of discussion week 1.
WEEK 2
- Monday August 13 --> Launching of key issue #1 (K1) discussion
- Monday August 13 - Friday August 17 --> time for discussion
- Monday August 20 --> summary of discussion week 2.
WEEK 3
- Monday August 20 --> Launching of key issue #1 (K1) discussion
- Monday August 20 - Friday August 24--> time for discussion
- Monday August 27 --> summary of discussion week 3.
WEEK 4
- Monday August 27 --> Launching of key issue #1 (K1) discussion
- Monday August 27 - Friday August 31--> temps de discussion
- Monday September 3 --> summary of discussion week 4.
- Monday September 3 --> Closing of the E-discussion on Trade and subsidies policies;
Nota bene:
Please note that a 2nd e-discussion relating to International standards and food safety will take place at the same time (more information on this E-discussion).
Support document to the E-discussion : Policy Note Draft 1
Please note that this list is indicative and can be completed at any time : any person will to participate in the E-discussion can subscribe at
Secretariat of ALive
.
Reversely, any person who does not want to participate in the E-discussion and receive the emails can be withdrawn from the list by a simple request at
Secretariat of ALive
.
Additional information
- the E-discussion animation is performed by M. Francois Gary, from Phylum (
contact M. Gary
).
- the E-discussion is financed by ALive (multi-donor trust fund).
RESULTS of the E-DISCUSSION
The results of the E-discussion (K1 --> K4) will be weekly posted on this page. The participants will be able to find information on :
- detailed key issues;
- number of comments received per week;
- weekly discussion summary.
A final report will also be posted on this page, once the E-discussion is over (around September 7).
Launching message for topic 1
Dear All,
As announced in the message below dated Friday August 3, we are launching today the first series (out of 4) of discussions on 'International 'Trade and subsidies policies'.
K1:
IMPROVING THE PRODUCTIVITY OF ANUMAL SUPPLY-CHAIN IN SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA:
Question 1: How to envisage animal supply-chains structuration at the regional level? (Could there be a 'zoning specialization'?)
Question 2: What should be the importance of the intensive production systems in the development of the animal supply-chains?
Question 3: How to improve the productivity of traditional livestock systems?
Question 4: How to attract foreign investments with best practices that could be useful to African supply-chains?
The first draft of the Policy Note is attached below to serve as a basis for the discussions. We would also appreciate your general comments on this draft.
Launching message WEEK 2 (Aug 13)
|
Topics from discussion Week 1 to be debated:
At the end of Week 1, one specific question comes out from the discussion Week 1 and is proposed to be discussed Week 2:
- How to reduce the costs of animal production inputs, notably animal feeding, without jeopardizing local vegetal supply-chains markets?
K2 :
HOW TO FACILITATE THE DEVELOPMENT OF SUPPLY-CHAINS ABLE TO EXPORT ? (recommEndations 4 et 5)
Question 1: What to favor ? Regional (within Africa) or international trade (among continents)?
Question 2: Should specifically export-dedicated supply-chains be developed?
- If yes, how ?
- If no, how to ensure that whatever supply-chain can access international trade?
Question 3: How to support existing supply-chains modernization?
- Support to professional organizations?
- Support to structuring tools within the supply-chains?
- Support to training and technology or best practices transfer?
Question 4: How to build on supply-chains able to comply with high sanitary standards to ‘drive’ all supply-chains towards a better sanitary level? |
Launching message week 3 (Aug 20)
|
Topics from discussion Week 2 to be debated:
In Draft 1, export has been envisaged mainly towards most developed countries (EU, USA,…) markets. China is an emerging purchaser, very active in Africa to buy raw materials.
Is export of African animal products towards China a credible opportunity? Under which conditions?
K3- WHICH ROLE COULD THE STATES PLAY TO FAVOR INTERNATIONAL TRADE AT THE REGIONAL OR INTERCONTINENTAL LEVEL? (Recommendations 6 and 9)
Question 1: What are the priorities in terms of legislation updating?
- in terms of sanitary legislation?
- In terms of trade legislation?
Question 2: How could States secure market-based relations?
Question 3: How could States support local livestock supply-chains to help them develop their international trade?
Knowledge sharing:
Please remember to share recent success stories on trade and livestock supply-chains or on policies that have favor livestock product trade development (links, scientific articles,…). They will be posted on the ALive website as to illustrate the Policy Notes.
|
Launching message week 4 (Aug 7)
Export subsidies
· Draft 1 has deliberately limited recommendations concerning export subsidies on animal products to consider all the forms of low costs competition. Several economists consider export subsidies as a past debate because of the evolution of the Common Agricultural Policy and the evolution of negotiations with the WTO.However,
- Do we have to formulate recommendations about policies on export subsidies? If yes, which one?
- How to protect such exports (see question 3 below)
K4 - HOW TO DEVELOP POLICIES TO FAVOR AND PROTECT LOCAL FIELDS (recommandations 10 to 12)
· Question 1:What is the interest for a brand policy which will develop the African or local origin to the consumer?
· Question 2: How to favor the international market gains from African fields?
- To promote African fields among certain countries?
- To favor the commercial relationship with African operators and potentials clients abroad?
- To help using export quotas at low rate for the UE?
· Question 3: How do States can protect their fields facing products imports at low prices?
- Use of rooms for manœuvre on products taxation?
- Use of safeguard clauses when it is possible? Definition of sensitive products to justify this safeguard clause?
- Communication among consumers to favor the African origin?
· Question 4: How to capture the international or compensation funds available or potentially available in the animal fields?
· Draft 1 has deliberately limited recommendations concerning export subsidies on animal products to consider all the forms of low costs competition. Several economists consider export subsidies as a past debate because of the evolution of the Common Agricultural Policy and the evolution of negotiations with the WTO.However,
- Do we have to formulate recommendations about policies on export subsidies? If yes, which one?
- How to protect such exports (see question 3 below)
K4 - HOW TO DEVELOP POLICIES TO FAVOR AND PROTECT LOCAL FIELDS (recommandations 10 to 12)
· Question 1:What is the interest for a brand policy which will develop the African or local origin to the consumer?
· Question 2: How to favor the international market gains from African fields?
- To promote African fields among certain countries?
- To favor the commercial relationship with African operators and potentials clients abroad?
- To help using export quotas at low rate for the UE?
· Question 3: How do States can protect their fields facing products imports at low prices?
- Use of rooms for manœuvre on products taxation?
- Use of safeguard clauses when it is possible? Definition of sensitive products to justify this safeguard clause?
- Communication among consumers to favor the African origin?
· Question 4: How to capture the international or compensation funds available or potentially available in the animal fields?
|
