Standards and regulations in agri-food trade
Standards and regulations have become increasingly important in the agri-food sector. In the trade context they are widely discussed as non-tariff measures (NTMs).
In addition to the proliferation of private standards imposed by the agri-food industry and retailers, governments particularly of high income countries have tightened and set new regulations that prescribe product and process requirements as well as conformity assessment to prove compliance. Such requirements do not only address food safety issues but also quality aspects related to societal concerns. They stand in close relation to public policy objectives in the interest of producers, consumers and society as a whole.
Effects on trade
Standards and regulations differ across countries, and exporters have to satisfy the different requirements of importing countries in order to sell their produce on foreign markets. Standards as import requirements can lead to incidents at the border and affect trade volume and value. Since exporters incur additional costs due to the requirements of importing countries, standards and regulations may hamper trade flows between countries, but they can also be trade catalyst and facilitate trade.
Our research on non-tariff measures
LEI research engages in the qualitative and quantitative analysis of NTMs and their trade and market impact, including supply chain issues. In the trade context, LEI studies the international coordination, harmonisation and mutual recognition efforts, which aim to reduce and overcome the potentially trade-hampering effect of standards. This includes the analysis of standards and regulations in bi-lateral and multilateral trade agreements, more specifically the WTO Agreements on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (SPS) and Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT).
LEI research on standards and regulations in agri-food trade provides insights for policy making and supports the dialogue between policy-makers, the private sector and other stakeholders both in the Netherlands and trading partner countries, particularly developing and transition countries.
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Selected publications on non-tariff measures
Exploring non-tariff measures in agri-food trade: Incidences and issues from the Dutch perspective (2012)
The products most affected by NTMs include live animals, fresh meat and fish as well as live plants, seeds and cut flowers. Product and process requirements demanded by importing countries do not cause major problems to Dutch exporters as long as sales in the foreign market cover the extra costs. Transparency seems to be one main issue with regard to NTMs.
Establishment approval in international trade of animal products (2012)
This report provides an overview of different approaches of establishment approval as well as its implementation and organisation in international agrifood trade. The focus is on animal products as establishment approval is particularly used for exporting these products.
NTMs and gravity-type models: state of the art and analysis of the literature (working paper EU FP7 project 'NTM impact') (2011)
This working paper brings together the state-of-the art in the econometric estimation of gravity models and the analysis of non-tariff measures (NTMs). Looking at the econometric estimation of effects of NTMs, the paper aims to provide insights on the complexity and issues in the current econometric estimation and contribute to a better understanding about NTMs and their trade effect.
Non-tariff measures affecting agro-food trade between the EU and Africa: Summary of a workshop. European Commission Institute for Prospective Technological Studies (IPTS) (2010)
This report contains the presentations and the summary of the IPTS workshop "Non Tariff Measures (NTMs) affecting agro-food trade between the EU and Africa" held in September 2010 in Seville.
Index of heterogeneity in requirements in international agri-food trade (2010,