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1
C O N T E N T S
OECD in Brief 3
Trade and Agriculture Directorate 3
Agricultural Codes and Schemes 4
Seeds 8
Tractors 10
Fruit and Vegetables 12
Forests 13
Further information 14
2
OECD welcomes Chile, Estonia, Israel and Slovenia
During the annual Council meeting at Ministerial Level, held on 27 May 2010, OECD countries
welcomed four new members: Chile, which joined the Organisation on 7 May 2010, Slovenia,
which joined the Organisation on 21 July 2010, Israel which is a Member of the OECD as from 7
September 2010, and Estonia, which OECD countries agreed on 10 May 2010 to invite as
member.
These accessions are part of a broader process of global outreach through which OECD is
strengthening its collaboration with emerging and developing economies, and strategically engage
with them through regional activities on Middle East and North Africa, Latin America, Southeast
Asia and Africa. This process also includes the Enhanced Engagement process with Brazil, China,
India, Indonesia and South Africa.
Left to right: Andrus Ansip, Prime Minister of Estonia; Felipe Larrain, Minister of Finance of
Chile; Benjamin Netanyahu, Prime Minister of Israel; Silvio Berlusconi, Prime Minister of Italy;
Borut Pahor, Prime Minister of Slovenia and Angel Gurría, Secretary-General of the OECD.
www.oecd.org
3
OECD IN BRIEF
The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), an inter -governmental
organisation founded in 1961, provides a multilateral forum to discuss, develop and reform economic and social
policies. Today it has 33 member countries1 The OECD’s mission is to promote policies for sustainable
economic growth and employment, a rising standard of living, and trade liberalisation. It is at the forefront of
efforts to help governments understand and respond to new developments and concerns so that economic
and social developments are not achieved at the expense of environmental degradation.
The OECD brings together its Member countries to discuss and develop domestic and interna tional
policies. It analyses issues, identifies good policy practices and recommends actions in a unique forum in
which countries can compare their experiences, seek answers to common problems, and work to
co-ordinate policies. It shares expertise and exchanges views with more than 100 countries worldwide and
engages in dialogue with business, labour, and civil society organisations on topics of mutual interest.
The OECD is the largest and most reliable source of comparable statistical data and information on
economic, environmental and social developments in its Member countries.
The OECD’s work is overseen by several bodies. At the highest level is the OECD Council, made up of
Ambassadors from all Member countries. The Council’s main role is to review and approve the
OECD budget and Programme of Work. The specific policy and technical work is directed by specialist
Committees, supported by Working Parties and ad hoc meetings, which bring together technical expertise
from Member countries. The daily work of the OECD is coordinated and supported by its Secretariat
in Paris, with 2 500 staff and a budget of over € 320 million.
TRADE AND AGRICULTURE DIRECTORATE
The Directorate for Trade and Agriculture (TAD) is the part of the OECD Secretariat that
undertakes the work on behalf of the Trade, Agriculture and Fisheries Committees. The key objective of
OECD work on trade is to support a strong, rules -based multilateral trading system that will maintain the
momentum for further trade liberalisation, while contributing to rising standards of living and
sustainable development. OECD also analyses food, agriculture and fisheries issues and provides advice
to governments on practical and innovative options for policy reform and trade liberalisation, as well as
facilitating the negotiation of international rules on official export credits. An important part of the
mandate of the OECD is to provide analytical support to agricultural trade liberalisation , as well as
estimating the effects of further trade liberalisat ion. Working closely with Member countries, the
Directorate collects information and data, and develops modelling capacity to analyse the policy issues
identified by the Committees. The Committee for Trade, the Committee for Agriculture and the
Committee for Fisheries are responsible for implementing the trade, agriculture and fisheries biennial
programme of work, once it has been approved by the OECD Council.
The Directorate is structured around seven divisions that work together to deliver the work
programme: Agro-food Trade and Markets, Development Division, Fisheries Policies, Agricultural
Policies and Environment, Policies and Trade in Agriculture, Trade Policy Linkages and Services and
Export Credits. Two other units are attached to the Directorate: Agricultural Codes and Schemes, and
the Co-operative Research Programme . The staff of the Directorate is drawn from Member countries.
In 2009 there were 125 full-time staff, and increasingly, the Directorate also welcomes staff on
short-term appointments, consultants and trainees.
1 OECD member countries in 2010: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Chile, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France,
Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Korea, Luxembourg, Mexico, the Netherlands, New Zealand,
Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, United Kingdom, United States. The
European Commission also participates in the work of the Organisation.
4
AGRICULTURAL CODES AND SCHEMES
The OECD Agricultural Codes and Schemes facilitate international trade through the simplification
and harmonisation of documentary, inspection and testing procedures. For Seeds and Forests, the
Schemes encourage the production and use of seeds or plants of consistently high quality for which
trueness to name or source is guaranteed. For Tractors, the Codes enable an importing country to accept
with confidence the results of tests carried out in another country, and in the case of Fruit and Vegetables,
the Scheme promotes uniform classification and quality control procedures.
The Codes & Schemes were created in the late 1950s/early 1960s and the number of participating
countries has been constantly rising. The Codes and Schemes are open to any OECD or non-OECD
country that is a member of the United Nations or of the World Trade Organisation. In addition to the
33 OECD countries which are all members of at least one of the Codes & Schemes, participation currently
encompasses 30 non-OECD Economies, including some of the major players in world trade (Argentina,
Brazil, China, India, Russia, South Africa, Ukraine, etc.). There are also close co-operation with the UN
family, especially the FAO and the UNECE, as well as specific non-governmental and industrial
organisations (CEMA, IFAP, ISF, ISO, ISTA, UPOV, etc.).
AGRICULTURAL CODES AND SCHEMES
FOR INTERNATIONAL TRADE
OECD SCHEME FOR THE
APPLICATION OF
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARDS FOR FRUIT AND
VEGETABLES
OECD CODES FOR THE
OFFICIAL TESTING OF
AGRICULTURAL AND
FORESTRY TRACTORS
OECD FOREST SEED AND
PLANT SCHEME
OECD SCHEMES FOR THE
VARIETAL CERTIFICATION
OF SEED
SCHEME FOR CRUCIFER SEED AND OTHER OIL
OR FIBER SPECIES
SCHEME FOR CEREALS
SCHEME FOR BEET
SCHEME FOR MAIZE AND SORGHUM
SCHEME FOR SUBTERRA-
NEAN CLOVER AND SIMILAR
SPECIES
SCHEME FOR VEGETABLES
SCHEME FOR GRASS AND
LEGUME SEED
5
The overarching objectives of the Codes & Schemes are to simplify existing international
trade procedures; increase transparency, reduce technical barriers to trade; contribute to
international harmonization of standards, environmental protection; and, to increase market
confidence through enforcement of quality control and inspection procedures, as well as the
traceability of the traded products. The objectives are achieved through ongoing dialogue with the
designated authorities of member countries, observers and, stakeholders including, farmers,
industry and trade.
International certification differs from national certification, as domestic regulatory systems
may vary to a large extent. A voluntary international system is a tool which heterogeneous
countries can use for specific product characteristics, without having to change their domestic
framework. The benefits from product certification and guarantees are shared between all
stakeholders; consumers, producers, industry, exporters and importers.
For some of the Codes & Schemes, there are prerequisites for joining (e.g. National Seed
Law). In all cases, the following general steps must be taken: 1) an official request to join is sent
to the OECD Secretary-General, accompanied by the relevant documentation. 2) This is followed
by an evaluation process, usually involving a short mission to the applicant country. 3) The
evaluation report is circulated to the authorities of the participating countries and discussed at
their annual meeting. 4) The final step is an internal OECD process resulting in a Council
Decision. The whole procedure takes about one year.
The overall budget is around one million euros, with Seeds accounting for about 40%,
Tractors 30%, Fruit and Vegetables 20% and Forests 10%. The annual fee for each of the Codes
and Schemes is based on a lump sum payment plus a variable percentage payment based on a
formula related to the size of the participating country’s economy (Gross Domestic Product).
____________________
6
63 COUNTRIES PARTICIPATE
IN ONE OR MORE OF THE OECD CODES AND SCHEMES
e
ALBANIA, ARGENTINA, AUSTRALIA, AUSTRIA, BELGIUM, BOLIVIA, BURKINA FASO, BRAZIL, BULGARIA, CANADA, CHILE, CHINA, CROATIA, CYPRUS, CZECH REPUBLIC, DENMARK, EGYPT, ESTONIA, FINLAND, FRANCE, GERMANY, GREECE, HUNGARY, ICELAND,
INDIA, IRAN (Islamic Rep. of), IRELAND, ISRAEL, ITALY, JAPAN, KENYA, KOREA (Rep. of), KYRGYZSTAN, LATVIA, LITHUANIA, LUXEMBOURG, MADAGASCAR, MEXICO, MOLDOVA, MOROCCO, NETHERLANDS, NEW ZEALAND, NORWAY, POLAND, PORTUGAL, ROMANIA, RUSSIAN FEDERATION, RWANDA, SERBIA, SLOVAKIA, SLOVENIA, SOUTH AFRICA, SPAIN, SWEDEN, SWITZERLAND,
TUNISIA, TURKEY, UGANDA, UKRAINE, UNITED KINGDOM, UNITED STATES, URUGUAY, ZIMBABWE
7
Countries Participating in the OECD Codes and Schemes in 2010
Seeds Tractors Fruit and Vegs Forest
Albania
Argentina
Australia
Austria
Belgium
Bolivia
Brazil
Bulgaria
Burkina Faso
Canada
Chile
China
Croatia
Cyprus
Czech Republic
Denmark
Egypt
Estonia
Finland
France
Germany
Greece
Hungary
Iceland
India
Iran, Islamic Rep. of
Ireland
Israel
Italy
Japan
Kenya
Korea
Kyrgyzstan
Latvia
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Madagascar
Mexico
Moldova
Morocco
Netherlands
New Zealand
Norway
Poland
Portugal
Romania
Russian Federation
Rwanda
Serbia
Slovak Republic
Slovenia
South Africa
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland
Tunisia
Turkey
Uganda
Ukraine
United Kingdom
United States
Uruguay
Zimbabwe
8
SEEDS
What are the
OECD Seed Schemes?
.
The OECD Seed Schemes provide an international framework for the
certification of agricultural seed moving in international trade. The Schemes
were established in 1958 driven by a combination of factors including a
fast-growing seed trade, regulatory harmonisation in Europe, the development
of off-season production, the seed breeding and production potential of large
exporting countries in America (North and South) and Europe, and the support
of private industry. Membership of the Schemes is voluntary and participation
varies. There are seven agricultural Seed Schemes.
Participating countries
With the recent accession of Ukraine, 58 countries from Europe, North and
South America, Africa, the Middle-East, Asia and Oceania currently participate
in the OECD Seed Schemes.
Objectives
The objectives of the Schemes are to encourage the use of “quality-guaranteed”
seed in participating countries. The Schemes authorise the use of labels and
certificates for seed produced and processed for international trade according to
agreed principles ensuring varietal identity and purity.
The Schemes facilitate the import and export of seed, by the removal of
technical barriers to trade through internationally recognised labels (“passports”
for trade). They also lay down guidelines for seed multiplication abroad, as well
as for the delegation of some control activities to the private sector
(“authorisation”). The quantity of seed certified through the OECD Schemes has
grown rapidly in recent years and now exceeds 400.000 tonnes.
9
How do the
Seed Schemes operate?
The success of international certification depends upon close co-operation
between maintainers, seed producers, traders and the designated authority
(appointed by the government) in each participating country. Frequent meetings
allow for a multi-stakeholder dialogue to exchange information, discuss case
studies, prepare new rules and update the Schemes. The UN family of bodies, a
vast range of non-governmental organisations (ISF) and seed industry networks
participate actively in the Schemes.
Benefits of the Schemes To facilitate international trade by using globally-recognised OECD labels
and certificates (e.g. OECD labels are required to export seed to the
European union).
To build a framework to develop seed production with other countries or
companies.
To participate in the elaboration of international rules for seed certification.
To develop collaboration between the public and private sectors.
To benefit from regular exchanges of information with other national
certification agencies and observer organisations.
Annual List of Varieties The Annual List of Varieties eligible for OECD certification includes
varieties which are officially recognized as distinct, uniform and stable, and
possess an acceptable value in, at least, one country.
The List contains most of the internationally traded varieties whose number
has grown steadily over the last thirty years. Currently, the number of listed
varieties amounts to over 42 000, corresponding to 198 species.
Outlook As seed “consumers” become more demanding, there are greater needs for more
uniform seed standards, while at the same time public financial resources for
regulation and quality control are limited.
Co-operation among countries and stakeholders in the framework of the
Schemes is a response to the concern for a market-responsive regulatory
approach. Every country is confronted with a different legal framework,
institutional barriers and trade relations; yet, the different approaches must
remain consistent among countries entering international markets as importers
or exporters.
Seed companies are responsible for establishing and maintaining the
distinctness, uniformity and stability of their varieties, not only domestically,
but also across borders. However, there is a need for minimum criteria (“rules of
the game”) to be commonly defined, endorsed and enforced when multiplying
seed in large quantities for the trade. The OECD Schemes provide this legal
framework at international level.
For more information see: www.oecd.org/tad/seed
10
TRACTORS
What are the
OECD Tractor Codes?
The OECD Standard Codes for the official testing of agricultural and forestry
tractors are a set of rules and procedures for tractor testing with the aim to
facilitate trade by updating international rules to certify tractors and their
protective structures. Implementation of the Codes ensures that protective
structures and performance criteria are carried out on a comparative basis, thus
increase transparency, simplify international trade procedures, and open markets.
Participating
Countries
Currently, 28 countries implement the Codes; of which, 24 are OECD Members
and 4 non-OECD Economies (China, India Serbia and Russia). Observers
include CEMA, CEN, CIGR, COPA COGECA, EFTA, FAO, IFAP, ISO and
UNECE.
How do the Tractor
Codes operate?
National testing stations in each participating country carry out the tests on
tractors to be commercialized according to the common procedures. Test results
are submitted to OECD for approval and the verification of individual tests are
subcontracted to a Co-ordinating Centre. Approved tests are published and used
by tractor manufacturers, sellers and buyers. Summaries of performance tests are
available on-line.
.
What is OECD’s role? OECD facilitates co-ordination at the international level, with frequent meetings
that enable dialogue amongst stakeholders, exchange information, discuss case
studies, prepare new rules and update the Codes. Since the Codes were
established in 1959, over 3 000 tractors have been tested for performance
characteristics, and over 10 800 tractors have been tested for noise measurement
at the driving position, and driver protection, in the case of tractor roll-over. In
addition to regular meetings of the Codes, Test Engineer Conferences are held
every two years, each time in a different country.
Users of the Codes Countries use the Codes for various purposes including national testing, tenders,
import regulations, etc. In addition, farmers and other stakeholders benefit from
them as an important source of comparable information on safety and technical
reliability.
11
ROLL-OVER TEST
Outlook The OECD Tractor Testing Codes are in constant evolution with the growth
in demand for greater harmonization across countries as new tractor models
continue to proliferate. They have become an important international
reference in the certification of tractors and their protective structures,
underpinning existing international agreements, and contributing actively to
the harmonization of regional and global standards. There is regular updating
of the Codes so as to identify significant improvements in technical
performance, safety and environmental protection.
For more information see: www.oecd.org/tad/tractor
12
FRUIT AND VEGETABLES
Objectives of the
OECD Scheme on
Fruit and Vegetables
The main objective of the OECD Fruit and Vegetables Scheme is to facilitate
international trade through the harmonization of implementation and
interpretation of marketing standards. A further objective is to facilitate mutual
recognition of inspections by participating countries. The Scheme is well
known for its explanatory brochures on standards, but is also involved in
defining inspection procedures that are recognized in many countries, and in
sponsoring training courses. The Scheme also organises peer reviews with the
goal of helping the reviewed country improve its quality inspection system.
Participating Countries Currently, 25 countries participate in the OECD Scheme, including several
major exporting countries, for all or some of the products covered.
How does the OECD
Scheme operate?
The OECD Fruit and Vegetables Scheme provide a complete and
internationally harmonised export quality inspection system for member
countries. The mutual recognition of inspections is strengthened through
implementation of peer reviews on national quality inspection systems,
organisation of meetings for the heads of national inspection services and
workshops for the inspectors. Frequent meetings also allow for a
comprehensive dialogue amongst stakeholders in reviewing and elaborating the
OECD standards' interpretation, as well as defining inspection procedures.
Outlook
Inter-governmental quality standardisation for fruit and vegetables remains
essential for reducing technical barriers to international trade, as well as
increasing transparency to consumers. The interpretation of standards is
indispensable to applying them in practice and here the Scheme and its
explanatory brochures on standards and inspection guidelines will continue to
play a pivotal role.
The peer review activity on national fruit and vegetables inspection systems is
well received among member countries and has become a core activity of the
Scheme. It helps countries to improve policy making, adopt best practices, and
comply with established international standards and principles.
As many African and Asian countries are specialized in fruit and vegetables
production, they would benefit from implementing the Scheme to build up their
export capacities.
For more information see: www.oecd.org/tad/fv
13
FORESTS
Objectives of the OECD
Scheme for Forest
Reproductive Material
The OECD Forest Seed and Plant Scheme is a certification tool to facilitate
international trade in forest seeds and plants. The Scheme aims to encourage the
production and use of forest reproductive materials that have been collected,
processed, raised, labelled and distributed in a manner that ensures their trueness
to name. The Scheme reflects the wish for governments to have these materials
correctly identified, with a view to minimising uncertainty in achieving
successful afforestation.
Participating Countries Currently, 25 countries participate in the Scheme, including several tropical
countries that are developing their seed trade for reforestation.
How does the Scheme
work?
Different OECD labels are used according to the two categories for forest
reproductive materials. The labelled product is then recognised internationally
as a guarantee of quality and as a certificate of origin. Forest seed sources
and stands are approved by participating countries as the basic material for
harvesting the reproductive material, i.e., seeds; regions of provenance are
delineated and carefully documented. A total of 275 species of trees are
currently eligible for certification under the Scheme.
Latest developments Many countries, especially from the tropical part of Africa and South America,
have expressed interest in the OECD Scheme when developing a domestic
system for the quality control of forest seeds & plants. Some of them have
already joined. Taking into account the increased interest, the Scheme’s
intention is to adapt the OECD certification system of forest reproductive
materials to conditions in tropical countries in the near future.
Outlook There is growing awareness of the potential benefits of the OECD Scheme in the
context of harmonising regulations and facilitating international trade in forest
reproductive materials, including in tropical areas.
For more information see: www.oecd.org/tad/forest
14
Further information
The following OECD web pages can be consulted to get additional information, latest
publications, news and events, rules and list of participating countries in each of the four
programmes in the Codes & Schemes.
Agriculture (general): www.oecd.org/tad
OECD Directorate for Trade and Agriculture
2, rue André – Pascal
75775 Paris, Cedex 16
France
Codes and Schemes (general): www.oecd.org/tad/code
Seeds: www.oecd.org/tad/seed
Tractors: www.oecd.org/tad/tractor
Fruit and Vegetables: www.oecd.org/tad/fv
Forests: www.oecd.org/tad/forest
Contact:
Michael Ryan
Head, Codes & Schemes
E-mail: [email protected]
Fax : +33 1 44 30 61 17
Albania
Argentina
Australia
Austria
Belgium
Bolivia
Brazil
Bulgaria
Burkina Faso
Canada
Chile
China
Croatia
Cyprus
Czech Republic
Denmark
Egypt
.
Estonia
Finland
France
Germany
Greece
Hungary
Iceland
India
Iran
Ireland
Israel
Italy
Japan
Kenya
Korea
Kyrgyzstan
Latvia
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Madagascar
Mexico
Moldova
Morocco
Netherlands
New Zealand
Norway
Poland
Portugal
Romania
Russian Federation
Rwanda
Serbia
Slovakia
Slovenia
South Africa
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland
Tunisia
Turkey
Uganda
Ukraine
United Kingdom
United States
Uruguay
Zimbabwe