FAO work on trade
FAO’s work on trade agreements is focused on supporting countries’ effective formulation of trade policies and participation in trade negotiations through studies, analysis, training and experience sharing is a core activity of FAO.
Support to the implementation of the WTO Agreement on Agriculture and to the negotiations on agriculture under the Doha Round have been prominent activities in this area.
FAO also supports countries in the design and implementation of trade policies supportive to enhanced food security.
To assist the countries in Europe and Central Asia dealing with challenges of global trade integration, FAO is conducting training activities under the Regional Initiative for Improving Agrifood Trade and Market Integration in Europe and Central Asia. The primary goal of the Regional Initiative is to support member countries in enhancing the agri-food trade policy environment for small and medium-sized enterprises. A better trade policy environment for modern agrifood markets requires the development of capacity for both trade agreements and domestic food safety and quality standards. The Initiative consists of three interrelated components:
1. Implementation of trade agreements to increase access to new markets
2. Increased capacity to implement global food quality standards
3. Supportive policy environment for export diversification
The first component foresees training of civil servants and private industry representatives on global trade issues, including market access, domestic support measures, sanitary and phytosanitary issues, technical barriers to trade, trade dispute resolution and trade facilitation.
Online links and resources
http://www.fao.org/economic/est/international-trade/en
http://www.fao.org/economic/est/international-trade/europe-and-central-asia/la/#.XGRDTDNKjcs
http://www.fao.org/europe/regional-initiatives/iatmi/en/
http://www.fao.org/3/CA0879EN/ca0879en.pdf