RELATIONS BETWEEN AGRICULTURE,
TRADE AND ENVIRONMENT IN
CENTRAL AMERICA
Carlos Murillo, CINPE
The study is focused in four main aspects
• Features and trends of Central American agricultural sector.
• Environmental assessment matrix.• Rights and obligations of Central
America at the WTO.• Recommendations.
Characteristics of the Region
Small countries with tropical ecosystems Inequitable distribution of income and capital assets Agriculture and related agro-industries account for 30
percent of GNP Agricultural exports represent 60 percent of total
exports, although tourism is growing as an important source of foreign exchange.
In the primary sector, small farmers count as the great majority of enterprises.
The Economic Model
Structural adjustment programs provided the guidance during the last two decades.
Elimination of price controls and trade liberalization were among the dominant guidelines
Central America is lead towards regional and international trade liberalization, and several trade agreements have been signed
Agricultural production for exports provide a substantial part of rural employment, especially for the less educated population
Agriculture and Environment
Agriculture depends substantially from natural weather conditions; land under irrigation is less than 10% of total cultivated land
Small land holdings are located primarily in fragile hillsides There is a notorious trend towards intensification in agricultural
production and heavier dependence on agrochemicals There are valuable successful experiences of sound ecological
practices and sustainable agricultural enterprises. The room for innovation and sound environmental management
is quite high and promising.
Fuente: Elaboración propia basados en datos de FAO.
0
20
40
60
80
100
%
Costa Rica El Salvador Guatemala Honduras Nicaragua
Centroamérica: uso del agua por país, 2000.porcentajes
Agrícola Doméstico IndustrialFuente: Elaboración popia basados en datos de FAO.
0.0
10.0
20.0
30.0
40.0
50.0
60.0
70.0
80.0
%
Centroamérica Costa Rica El Salvador Guatemala Honduras Nicaragua
Centroamérica: superficie territorial destinada a la agricultura, 1997-2000.porcentajes
Fuente: Elaboración propia basados en datos de FAO.0.0
10.0
20.0
30.0
40.0
50.0
60.0
70.0
80.0
%
Centroamérica Costa Rica El Salvador Guatemala Honduras Nicaragua
Centroamérica: superficie territorial destinada a la agricultura, 1997-2000.porcentajes
Fuente: Elaboración propia basados en datos de FAO.
Environmental Impact Assessment
• Matrixes
• Expert consultations
• Bibliographic revision
• Case studies: banana, coffee, sugar cane, poultry, pork, watermelon, corn, and flowers and ornamental plants.
• Clear
Impacto negativo leve
Impacto negativo moderado
Impacto negativo alto
Impacto negativo crítico
Impacto positivo moderado
Impacto positivo alto
IMPACTOS
PONDERACION DE
ACCIONES
1. Tierraa. Suelosb. Geomorfologia
2. Aguaa. Superficialesb. Subterráneas
a. Calidad (ruido, gases y partículas)
a. Erosión *b. Deposición (Sedimentos)c. Compactación *
1. Floraa. Arbolesb. Arbustos y Hierbasc. Pastosd. Cosechase. Microflora (Flora microbiana) *
2. Faunaa. Avesb. Animal Terrestre (Inc. Reptíles)c. Insectos (Controlad. Biológicos) *
a. Espacios Silvestres y Libresb. Agricultura
a. Empleob. Salud y Seguridad
a. Eliminación de Residuos Sólidosb. Eliminación de Residuos Líquidos
a. Salinización de recursos de aguab. Envenenamientoc. Cadena alimenticiad. Salinización del sueloe. Invasión de malezas
D. RELACIONES ECOLOGICAS
C. FACTORES CULTURALES1. Uso de la Tierra
2. Nivel Cultural
3. Servicios e Infraestructura
A. CARACT. FISICAS Y QUIMICAS
3. Atmósfera
4. Procesos
B. CONDICIONES BIOLOGICAS
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cultivo: melón, lugar: Península de Nicoya, C.R.
Impacto Negativo Leve
Impacto Negativo Moderado
Impacto Negativo Severo
Impacto Negativo Crítico
Impacto Positivo Moderado
Impacto Positivo Alto
ACCIONES
A. CARACT. FISICAS Y QUIMICAS
1. Tierra
a. Suelos
b. Geomorfologia
2. Agua
a. Superficiales
b. Subterráneas
3. Atmósfera
a. Calidad (ruido, gases y partículas)
4. Procesos
a. Erosión
b. Deposición (Sedimentos)
c. Compactación
B. CONDICIONES BIOLOGICAS
1. Flora
a. Arboles
b. Arbustos y Hierbas
c. Pastos
d. Cosechas
e. M icroflora (Flora microbiana)
2. Fauna
a. Aves
b. Animal Terrestre (Inc. Reptí les)
c. Insectos (Controlad. Biológicos)
C. FACTORES CULTURALES
1. Uso de la Tierra
a. Espacios Silvestres y Libres
b. Agricultura
2. Nivel Cultural
a. Empleo
b. Salud y Seguridad
IMPACTOS
PONDERACION DE
*melón
Agriculture, Trade and Environment
Agricultural production for exports is quite intensive in use of agrochemicals, yet the producers are complying with international requirements.
Consumer demands in foreign markets are providing increased pressure on environmental quality standards and the export sector is responding properly.
Agricultural exports have limited aggregated value, and specific recognition of friendly environmental practices as an attribute.
Escalated tariffs of developed nations are among the factors that limit exports of aggregated value products
Centroamérica, aranceles consolidados para productos agrícolas tras su adhesión al GATT y aranceles aplicados.
País Arancel Promedio
Consolidado Arancel Promedio
Aplicado a
Costa Rica 56.29% (1995) – 42.54% (2004)
13.90% (2000)
El Salvador 53.05% (1995 ) – 40.79% (2004)
12.10% (1997)
Guatemala 57.73% (1995) – 48.75% (2004)
10.26% (1999)
Honduras 35% (1995) – 35% (2004)
14.05% (1997)
Nicaragua 60% (1995) – 40% (2004)
10.50% (1998)
Fuente: Sistema Arancelario Centroamericano
Centroamérica, picos arancelarios
País Picos arancelarios (%) a
Costa Rica 274 Carne y despojos comestibles de ave y sus preparaciones 111 Productos lácteos
El Salvador
182 Carne y despojos comestibles de ave 115 Aceites 103 Carne bovina, congelada y maíz amarillo 97 Tabaco 92 Azúcar
Guatemala
286 Carne y despojos comestibles de ave, 268 Aceite de maíz, 258 Aceites de algodón y de girasol, 257 Aceite de palma, 178 Azúcar de caña o de remolacha, 154 Manzanas y peras, 150 Uvas, Harinas de trigo, 125 Trigo duro, 123 Frijoles, 118 Morcajo y tranquillón, 115 Productos lácteos, 102 Habas, 100 Arroz, sorgo y tabaco
Honduras No tiene, consolidó todo a 35%
Nicaragua 220 Carne congelada de partes de aves 85 Productos lácteos
Fuente: Centro de Comercio Internacional (www.intracen.org).
Green Box support Measures
Allowed support measures have been used in a very limited amount.
There has been limited imagination to provide allowed measures of support.
Limited availability of fiscal resources has been used as an argument for not providing imaginative support to agricultural production
The battle ahead is not only at WTO, but also with Ministries of Finance.
There is a strong need to review agricultural policies and to put aside tariff policy as the core policy issue.
Renewing the agricultural Development Model
More intensive vertical integration Adding Value and Differentiation of Agricultural
products Positive environmental enterprise management. Developing agricultural clusters with a geographical
perspective Attracting private investment from urban areas and
foreign countries
Prospects
Negotiations at WTO to obtain preferential treaty for clean and value added agricultural products in OECD countries
Obtain more resources of international cooperation earmarked for sustainable agriculture
Diffusion of successful experiences in sustainable agriculture
Embassies and policy makers more informed and committed with agriculture and its role in development
Thank You