Elements for policy harmonization
31. The presentation focused on the responses given on trade (marketing), quality and safety issues in National reports and integrated the findings with available information from the FAO and WTO. The main problem areas identified were (1) difficulties in adhering to new import requirements on food safety in the major export markets (EU and US); and, (2) constraints on individual action because of country membership in international organization such as the WTO.
32. The speaker recommended the strengthening of SADC training programme on HACCP and food safety and on the WTO trade Agreements including formalising a SADC common position on trade issues in multilateral trade negotiations.
The role of INFOPÊCHE in strengthening fish trade flows in SADC
33. Reliable market information is a key ingredient of successful trade development for fish and fishery products. It is also one of the primary fish marketing problems for exporters and producers in developing countries.
34. To address this, FAO created in the early 80’s the INFO NETWORK, which is, composed of INFOPÊCHE (Africa), INFOSAMAK (Arab world) INFOPESCA (Latin America and Caribbean); INFOFISH (South East Asia); INFOYU (China); EUROFISH (East Europe). These regional services are co-ordinated by FAO/GLOBEFISH which is a global data bank on Fish Marketing. The INFONETWORK has now become Intergovernmental Organizations for Marketing Information and Co-operation Services for Fish and Fishery Products.
35. The Government of Namibia, as co-ordinator of the Marine fisheries in the SADC region has agreed to host an INFOPÊCHE UNIT in Windhoek. This Unit will facilitate development links within SADC in addition to facilitating access to global markets that will have positive effects on region trade and offer better balance of products in the consumer markets. The UNIT, due to be established in 2001 will promote fish marketing and utilisation in the SADC region through such activities as training, publications of trade news, industry briefings.
36. The discussion following the trade presentations raised a number of questions. One question was whether it was better to try to harmonize quality standards in SADC or whether it was better to work individually. The presenters emphasised that the two approaches were not mutually exclusive and that some elements were best undertaken at the national level, others regionally. Emphasis was also placed on the crucial role of the industry. Some questions were asked as to the apparently relatively low level of intra-regional trade. It was suggested that the main reason is probably a lack of purchasing power in the region with exporters preferring to target high value markets outside the region. This was considered the appropriate response if the goal is to maximise the economic value of the fish resources of the region. The lack of infrastructure in terms of East-West roads probably inhibits intra-regional trade in lower-valued products (such as horse mackerel). The issues of Eco-labelling and risk assessment are likely to become increasingly important in the future. Delegates suggested that SADC needed to take the lead so that SADC Member States are ready once these issues reach the WTO level.
