Organic Agriculture and Food Security in Africa Just Published !
Food security is an issue of great concern in many countries, particularly in Africa. The evidence presented in this study supports the argument that organic agriculture can be good for food security in Africa — equal or better than most conventional systems and more likely to be sustainable in the longer-term. The 15 case studies examined in-depth have shown increases in per hectare productivity for food crops, increased farmer incomes, environmental benefits, strengthened communities and enhanced human capital.

8th meeting of the UNCTAD/ FAO/ IFOAM International Task Force on Harmonisation and Equivalence in Organic Agriculture 6-7 Oct 2008
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New series of three books just published! more...
New series of three books synthesizing the regional experience with challenges and opportunties posed by the new breed of private sector standards in export markets for fresh fruit and vegetables from developing countries.
These private standards, although voluntary in legal nature, are often de facto mandatory for producers and exporters through the buying power of large, globally active retailers setting and applying them. These new standards are often a comprehensive package, blending environmental, health, food-safety and social requirements. They generally require a transition to high-precision agricultural production methods that are well documented, audited, tested and certified.

ITC, UNCTAD, UNEP Statement on Soil Association Air Freight Consultation. UNCTAD/DITC/TED/MISC/2007/4
The Soil Association is proposing to ban airfreighted products on environmental grounds. The ITC, UNEP and UNCTAD believe that airfreight is not a useful indicator of environmental damage for the following reasons:
- the need to consider carbon footprint from farm to fork; and
- the Soil Association, whilst proposing a ban on access for airfreighted products, certifies UK products that are highly energy intensive further information.

Market access is a key issue for developing countries. Developing countries have been concerned that domestic environmental policies in developed countries may adversely affect market access of products from developing countries. Producers in developing countries may lack the technical and financial ability to comply with the environmental regulations of industrialised nations. A key concern is the extent to which environmental standards and regulations, as well as sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) measures in developed country markets have the potential to create barriers to trade, particularly for products exported by developing countries.