Private voluntary standards in livestock and meat sectors: Implications for developing countries

Diego Naziri; Ben Bennett

doi:10.3362/2046-1887.2012.006

Private voluntary standards in livestock and meat sectors: Implications for developing countries

Over recent decades, international trade in meat products has increased enormously. Developing countries have had a leading role in the recent dynamics of the meat sector and have witnessed the strongest growth in consumption, production, and international trade. International trade in food products is governed by a growing array of public and private food standards. In recent decades, private voluntary standards developed in Western countries have become a key element of governance in meat food chains. The proliferation and influence of these private standards may represent both an opportunity and a threat for livestock producers and, in the coming years, might have increasingly important developmental implications for poorer countries, including those in sub-Saharan Africa. The purpose of this work is to shed light on the current practice in the application of these standards and to examine the present and future implications for developing countries, especially in Africa.

Caswell, J.A. and Joseph, S. (2008) ‘Consumer demand for quality: Major determinant of agricultural and food trade in the future’, Journal of International Agricultural Trade and Development 4(1): 99-116.

Chander, M., Subrahmanyeswari, B., Mukherjee, R. and Kumar, S. (2011) ‘Organic livestock production: An emerging opportunity with new challenges for producers in tropical countries’, Scientific and Technical Review of the Office International des Epizooties 30(3): 969-983.

Codron, J.M., Giraud-Héraud, E. and Soler, L.G. (2005) Minimum quality standards, premium private labels, and European meat and fresh produce retailing. Food Policy 30(3): 270-283 <http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.foodpol.2005.05.004≯.

European Commission (2010) Food Related Risks, Special Eurobarometer No. 354, EC, Brussels.

FAO (2009) The State of Food and Agriculture 2009: Livestock in the Balance, FAO, Rome.

FAO (2010) Draft Report on a Global Survey on Private Standards, Codes of Conduct and Guidelines in the Livestock Sector, FAO, Rome.

Fearne, A., Hornibrook, S. and Dedman, S. (2001) ‘The management of perceived risk in the food supply chain: A comparative study of retailer-led beef quality assurance schemes in Germany and Italy’, International Food and Agribusiness Management Review 4: 19-36 <http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S1096-7508(01)00068-4≯.

Henson, S. and Reardon, T. (2005) ‘Private agri-food standards: Implications for food policy and the agri-food system’, Food Policy 30(3): 241-253 <http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.foodpol.2005.05.002≯.

IFAP (2010) Farm Animal Welfare and Private Standards, IFAP, Paris.

International Meat Secretariat (IMS) (2009) Developments in the Global Meat Market, IMS, Rome.

Liu, P. (2009) Private Standards in International Trade: Issues, Opportunities and Long-Term Prospects, FAO, Rome.

Mainon, D. (2010) GLOBALGAP Livestock: Demand and Supply Trends, GLOBALGAP, London.

OECD-FAO (2009) Agricultural Outlook 2009-2018, OECD Publishing, Paris.

OIE (2010) Final Report: OIE Questionnaire on Private Standards, OIE, Paris.

Perry, B. and Dijkman, J. (2010) Livestock Market Access and Poverty Reduction in Africa: The Trade Standards Enigma, FAO, Rome.

Roberts, M.T. (2008) Private Standards in the Global Food Sector: Relationship with the WTO Agreements, National Agricultural Law Center, Arkansas.

Sans, P., de Fontguyon, G. and Briz, J. (2005) ‘Meat safety as a tool of differentiation for retailers: Spanish and French examples of meat “supply chain brands”’, International Journal of Retail & Distribution Management 33(8): 618-635 <http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/09590550510608403≯.

Soil Association (2010) Organic Market Report 2010 [website], Soil Association, Bristol <http://www.soilassociation.org/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=bTXno01MTtM=&tabid=116≯ [accessed 25 January 2011]. http://www.soilassociation.org/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=bTXno01MTtM=&tabid=116

Wolff, C. and Scannell, M. (2008) Implication of Private Standards in International Trade of Animals and Animal Products, OIE, Paris.

World Bank (2005) Food Safety and Agricultural Health Standards: Challenges and Opportunities for Developing Country Export, World Bank, Washington, DC.

WTO (2005) World Trade Report 2005, WTO, Geneva.

WTO (2007) Private Standards and the SPS Agreement, WTO, Geneva.

WTO (2009) Effects of SPS-related Private Standards: Descriptive Report, WTO, Geneva.