NINTH SESSION OF FAO COMMITTEE ON FISHERIES

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 05 ROME 000801

SIPDIS


FROM THE U.S. MISSION TO THE UN AGENCIES IN ROME

STATE FOR OES/OMC, OES/ETC, IO/EDA, EB/TPP; PASS USTR

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EFIS ETRD EAGR AORC FAO
SUBJECT: NINTH SESSION OF FAO COMMITTEE ON FISHERIES
SUBCOMMITTEE ON FISH TRADE



1. SUMMARY: THE FAO COMMITTEE ON FISHERIES
SUBCOMMITTEE ON FISH TRADE HELD ITS NINTH SESSION IN
BREMEN, GERMANY, FEBRUARY 10-14, 2004. GREG SCHNEIDER
(U.S.) WAS ELECTED TO CHAIR THE MEETING; RICHARD SISSON
OF AUSTRALIA SERVED AS RAPPORTEUR. THE FAO SECRETARIAT
PRESENTED A REPORT ON THE RECENT EVENTS CONCERNING
INTERNATIONAL TRADE IN FISHERY PRODUCTS. THE
SUBCOMMITTEE DEALT WITH A NUMBER OF SIGNIFICANT ISSUES
AND PREPARED TO ADDRESS A NUMBER OF OTHER ISSUES, BOTH
INTER-SESSIONALLY AND AT ITS NEXT MEETING. THE
SUBCOMMITTEE MADE PROGRESS ON SEVERAL ISSUES OF CONCERN
TO THE U.S. DELEGATION. THESE INCLUDE: (1) COOPERATION
BETWEEN THE FAO SECRETARIAT AND THE SECRETARIAT OF THE
CONVENTION ON INTERNATIONAL TRADE IN ENDANGERED SPECIES
(CITES); (2) ADDRESSING ISSUES RELATED TO THE GROWING USE
OF "ECOLABELS" ON FISH AND FISH PRODUCTS; (3) HARMONIZING
THE CATCH DOCUMENTATION SCHEMES IN USE BY A NUMBER OF
REGIONAL FISHERY MANAGEMENT ORGANIZATIONS; (4)
TRACEABILITY AND LABELING IN FISH TRADE; AND (5) FAO
COLLABORATION WITH THE WORLD CUSTOMS ORGANIZATION (WCO).
ISSUES OF SPECIAL INTEREST TO DEVELOPING COUNTRIES
INCLUDED: (1) SAFETY AND QUALITY RELATED TO FISHMEAL AND
BSE; (2) THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE SUBCOMMITTEE AND
THE COMMON FUND FOR COMMODITIES; (3) FISH TRADE AND FOOD
SECURITY; AND (4) ACCESS OF SMALL-SCALE FISHERIES CATCH
TO INTERNATIONAL TRADE. BOTH SPAIN AND THE CITY OF
BREMEN OFFERED TO HOST THE NEXT MEETING OF THE
SUBCOMMITTEE, CREATING THE OPPORTUNITY FOR THE FAO
SECRETARIAT TO NEGOTIATE FOR THE BEST VALUE BETWEEN THE

SIPDIS
TWO POTENTIAL HOSTS. END SUMMARY.

-------------- -
DISCUSSION OF REPORT ON TRADE IN FISH PRODUCTS
-------------- -


2. THE DISCUSSION THAT FOLLOWED THE SECRETARIAT'S
REPORT ON RECENT DEVELOPMENTS IN FISH TRADE HIGHLIGHTED
THE IMPORTANCE OF THE DOHA DEVELOPMENT AGENDA TRADE
NEGOTIATIONS, PARTICULARLY WITH RESPECT TO SUBSIDIES.
MEMBERS NOTED THE CONCENTRATION OF FISH IMPORTS INTO A
RELATIVELY SMALL NUMBER OF STATES, AND THE POTENTIAL
IMPACT ON TRADE OF REGULATORY CHANGES IN THOSE MARKETS.
MEMBERS ALSO NOTED THE GROWING INFLUENCE OF CONSUMERS ON
FISH TRADE. THEY ALSO NOTED THE GROWING IMPORTANCE OF
AQUACULTURE IN FISH TRADE. THERE WAS GENERAL AGREEMENT
THAT THE SUBCOMMITTEE NEEDED TO COORDINATE AND EXCHANGE
INFORMATION WITH THE MANY UN AGENCIES AND WITH REGIONAL
BODIES AS WELL.

--------------
FAO-CITES COOPERATION
--------------


3. FOR SEVERAL YEARS, AS COMMERCIALLY IMPORTANT FISH
STOCKS HAVE BEEN DEPLETED, CALLS FOR CITES TRADE CONTROLS
ON MARINE SPECIES HAVE INCREASED. THE APPLICATION OF
CITES MEASURES FOR SOME SPECIES IS NOW INEVITABLE. CITES
LACKS THE EXPERIENCE AND KNOWLEDGE WITH RESPECT TO MARINE
SPECIES, SO MANY CITES AND FAO MEMBERS HAVE SOUGHT TO
ESTABLISH A FORMAL COORDINATION MECHANISM BETWEEN THE FAO
AND CITES. IN FACT, THE TWO SECRETARIATS DO INTERACT
WITH EACH OTHER REGULARLY.


4. AT THIS YEAR'S SUBCOMMITTEE MEETING, THE U.S. HAD
THREE OBJECTIVES: (1) ENSURE THAT PLANS FOR TWO FAO
EXPERT CONSULTATIONS, ONE ON IMPLEMENTATION ISSUES AND
ONE ON LEGAL ISSUES, WERE APPROVED, AS DIRECTED BY THE
25TH SESSION OF THE FAO COMMITTEE ON FISHERIES; (2) GAIN

ROME 00000801 001.2 OF 005

SION IN
BREMEN, GERMANY, FEBRUARY 10-14, 2004. GREG SCHNEIDER
(U.S.) WAS ELECTED TO CHAIR THE MEETING; RICHARD SISSON
OF AUSTRALIA SERVED AS RAPPORTEUR. THE FAO SECRETARIAT
PRESENTED A REPORT ON THE RECENT EVENTS CONCERNING
INTERNATIONAL TRADE IN FISHERY PRODUCTS. THE
SUBCOMMITTEE DEALT WITH A NUMBER OF SIGNIFICANT ISSUES
AND PREPARED TO ADDRESS A NUMBER OF OTHER ISSUES, BOTH
INTER-SESSIONALLY AND AT ITS NEXT MEETING. THE
SUBCOMMITTEE MADE PROGRESS ON SEVERAL ISSUES OF CONCERN
TO THE U.S. DELEGATION. THESE INCLUDE: (1) COOPERATION
BETWEEN THE FAO SECRETARIAT AND THE SECRETARIAT OF THE
CONVENTION ON INTERNATIONAL TRADE IN ENDANGERED SPECIES
(CITES); (2) ADDRESSING ISSUES RELATED TO THE GROWING USE
OF "ECOLABELS" ON FISH AND FISH PRODUCTS; (3) HARMONIZING
THE CATCH DOCUMENTATION SCHEMES IN USE BY A NUMBER OF
REGIONAL FISHERY MANAGEMENT ORGANIZATIONS; (4)
TRACEABILITY AND LABELING IN FISH TRADE; AND (5) FAO
COLLABORATION WITH THE WORLD CUSTOMS ORGANIZATION (WCO).
ISSUES OF SPECIAL INTEREST TO DEVELOPING COUNTRIES
INCLUDED: (1) SAFETY AND QUALITY RELATED TO FISHMEAL AND
BSE; (2) THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE SUBCOMMITTEE AND
THE COMMON FUND FOR COMMODITIES; (3) FISH TRADE AND FOOD
SECURITY; AND (4) ACCESS OF SMALL-SCALE FISHERIES CATCH
TO INTERNATIONAL TRADE. BOTH SPAIN AND THE CITY OF
BREMEN OFFERED TO HOST THE NEXT MEETING OF THE
SUBCOMMITTEE, CREATING THE OPPORTUNITY FOR THE FAO
SECRETARIAT TO NEGOTIATE FOR THE BEST VALUE BETWEEN THE

SIPDIS
TWO POTENTIAL HOSTS. END SUMMARY.

-------------- -
DISCUSSION OF REPORT ON TRADE IN FISH PRODUCTS
-------------- -


2. THE DISCUSSION THAT FOLLOWED THE SECRETARIAT'S
REPORT ON RECENT DEVELOPMENTS IN FISH TRADE HIGHLIGHTED
THE IMPORTANCE OF THE DOHA DEVELOPMENT AGENDA TRADE
NEGOTIATIONS, PARTICULARLY WITH RESPECT TO SUBSIDIES.
MEMBERS NOTED THE CONCENTRATION OF FISH IMPORTS INTO A
RELATIVELY SMALL NUMBER OF STATES, AND THE POTENTIAL
IMPACT ON TRADE OF REGULATORY CHANGES IN THOSE MARKETS.
MEMBERS ALSO NOTED THE GROWING INFLUENCE OF CONSUMERS ON
FISH TRADE. THEY ALSO NOTED THE GROWING IMPORTANCE OF
AQUACULTURE IN FISH TRADE. THERE WAS GENERAL AGREEMENT
THAT THE SUBCOMMITTEE NEEDED TO COORDINATE AND EXCHANGE
INFORMATION WITH THE MANY UN AGENCIES AND WITH REGIONAL
BODIES AS WELL.

--------------
FAO-CITES COOPERATION
--------------


3. FOR SEVERAL YEARS, AS COMMERCIALLY IMPORTANT FISH
STOCKS HAVE BEEN DEPLETED, CALLS FOR CITES TRADE CONTROLS
ON MARINE SPECIES HAVE INCREASED. THE APPLICATION OF
CITES MEASURES FOR SOME SPECIES IS NOW INEVITABLE. CITES
LACKS THE EXPERIENCE AND KNOWLEDGE WITH RESPECT TO MARINE
SPECIES, SO MANY CITES AND FAO MEMBERS HAVE SOUGHT TO
ESTABLISH A FORMAL COORDINATION MECHANISM BETWEEN THE FAO
AND CITES. IN FACT, THE TWO SECRETARIATS DO INTERACT
WITH EACH OTHER REGULARLY.


4. AT THIS YEAR'S SUBCOMMITTEE MEETING, THE U.S. HAD
THREE OBJECTIVES: (1) ENSURE THAT PLANS FOR TWO FAO
EXPERT CONSULTATIONS, ONE ON IMPLEMENTATION ISSUES AND
ONE ON LEGAL ISSUES, WERE APPROVED, AS DIRECTED BY THE
25TH SESSION OF THE FAO COMMITTEE ON FISHERIES; (2) GAIN

ROME 00000801 002.1 OF 005

TO CITES, SO THAT
PROPOSALS FOR LISTING OR DE-LISTING COMMERCIALLY
EXPLOITED SPECIES IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE TERMS OF
REFERENCE AGREED BY COFI COULD TAKE PLACE PRIOR TO
THE 13TH CITES CONFERENCE OF THE PARTIES (COP-13); AND
(3) TO GAIN APPROVAL BY THE SUBCOMMITTEE FOR A MEMORANDUM
OF UNDERSTANDING (MOU) BETWEEN FAO AND CITES
SECRETARIATS, SETTING FORTH THE MECHANISM THROUGH WHICH

SIPDIS
THE TWO WOULD COOPERATE.


5. THE THREE OBJECTIVES WERE ACHIEVED. THE MOST
DIFFICULT WAS APPROVAL OF THE MOU. WHILE THE U.S. AND
JAPAN HAD ACHIEVED CONSENSUS ON A DRAFT TEXT, MOST
SUBCOMMITTEE MEMBERS HAD NOT SEEN THAT TEXT PRIOR TO THE
MEETING. IN ADDITION, THE CHAIR OF THE CITES STANDING
COMMITTEE HAD FORWARDED HIS PROPOSED DRAFT MOU TO THE FAO
PRIOR TO THE MEETING. TO GAIN APPROVAL OF A SINGLE MOU
TEXT, AND TO MAP A PROCESS BY WHICH THE FAO SECRETARIAT
COULD NEGOTIATE A FINAL TEXT WITH THE CITES SECRETARIAT,
THE CHAIRMAN OF THE SUBCOMMITTEE MEETING ESTABLISHED A
SMALL GROUP, CO-CHAIRED BY JAPAN AND THE U.S. THE SMALL
GROUP MET TWICE AND PRESENTED A SLIGHTLY REVISED MOU
AND CLEAR INSTRUCTIONS TO THE SECRETARIAT FOR
NEGOTIATIONS WITH THE CITES STANDING COMMITTEE
CHAIR. BOTH COMPONENTS WERE ADOPTED BY THE
SUBCOMMITTEE. NOTE: POSTS INTERESTED IN OBTAINING A
COPY OF THE MOU TEXT OR THE TEXT OF THE INSTRUCTIONS TO
THE FAO SECRETARIAT MAY CONTACT OES/OMC STETSON TINKHAM
BY E-MAIL AT TINKHAMSX@STATE.GOV. END NOTE.


6. AUSTRALIA, UNDER INSTRUCTIONS FROM CANBERRA, DID NOT
JOIN THE CONSENSUS TO ADOPT THE DECISION-MAKING PROCESS,
BUT STOPPED SHORT OF BLOCKING ADOPTION OF THE
INSTRUCTIONS.

--------------
ECOLABELING DISCUSSION
--------------


7. IN THE FACE OF A PROLIFERATION OF RESPONSES TO CALLS
FROM CONSUMERS FOR RELIABLE LABELS THAT AFFIRM THAT FISH
AND FISH PRODUCTS ARE SUSTAINABLY PRODUCED, FAO HAS
UNDERTAKEN CONSIDERABLE WORK TO PRODUCE INTERNATIONAL
GUIDELINES FOR THE ECOLABELING OF FISH AND FISH
PRODUCTS. THE MOST RECENT EFFORT WAS AN EXPERT
CONSULTATION, HELD 14-17 OCTOBER 2003. THE REPORT OF THE
CONSULTATION WAS PRESENTED BY ITS CHAIR, DR. KRISTJAN
THORARINSSON. HE DESCRIBED THE SCOPE, PRINCIPLES,
MINIMUM SUBSTANTIVE REQUIREMENTS AND PROCEDURAL AND
INSTITUTIONAL ASPECTS SET OUT IN THE DRAFT GUIDELINES.
THE CONSULTATION RECOMMENDED THAT "THIRD PARTY" ECOLABEL
CERTIFICATION PROCEDURES BE ESTABLISHED.


8. THE U.S. POSITION ON ECOLABELING IS STILL EVOLVING.
AT THE SUBCOMMITTEE MEETING, THE U.S. DELEGATION SOUGHT
TO KEEP OPEN THE POSSIBILITY THAT MANAGEMENT AUTHORITIES
AT THE NATIONAL LEVEL MIGHT CERTIFY THAT FISHERIES WERE
CONDUCTED IN A SUSTAINABLE MANNER. ONE WAY OF DESCRIBING
THIS APPROACH WOULD BE TO REFER TO IT AS "SELF-
CERTIFICATION."


9. DURING DISCUSSION OF THIS AGENDA ITEM, NEW ZEALAND
POINTED OUT THAT THE "THIRD PARTY" APPROACH MIGHT LEAD TO
INTRACTABLE LEGAL CHALLENGES AMONG NATIONAL AUTHORITIES,
FISHERS, CONSUMERS AND THE CERTIFIERS. RATHER THAN HAVE
THE FAO INVOLVED IN ANY DISPUTE RESOLUTION, NZ SUGGESTED
NATIONAL BODIES ALREADY EMPOWERED TO ENFORCE TRUTH-IN-

ROME 00000801 002.2 OF 005

TO CITES, SO THAT
PROPOSALS FOR LISTING OR DE-LISTING COMMERCIALLY
EXPLOITED SPECIES IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE TERMS OF
REFERENCE AGREED BY COFI COULD TAKE PLACE PRIOR TO
THE 13TH CITES CONFERENCE OF THE PARTIES (COP-13); AND
(3) TO GAIN APPROVAL BY THE SUBCOMMITTEE FOR A MEMORANDUM
OF UNDERSTANDING (MOU) BETWEEN FAO AND CITES
SECRETARIATS, SETTING FORTH THE MECHANISM THROUGH WHICH

SIPDIS
THE TWO WOULD COOPERATE.


5. THE THREE OBJECTIVES WERE ACHIEVED. THE MOST
DIFFICULT WAS APPROVAL OF THE MOU. WHILE THE U.S. AND
JAPAN HAD ACHIEVED CONSENSUS ON A DRAFT TEXT, MOST
SUBCOMMITTEE MEMBERS HAD NOT SEEN THAT TEXT PRIOR TO THE
MEETING. IN ADDITION, THE CHAIR OF THE CITES STANDING
COMMITTEE HAD FORWARDED HIS PROPOSED DRAFT MOU TO THE FAO
PRIOR TO THE MEETING. TO GAIN APPROVAL OF A SINGLE MOU
TEXT, AND TO MAP A PROCESS BY WHICH THE FAO SECRETARIAT
COULD NEGOTIATE A FINAL TEXT WITH THE CITES SECRETARIAT,
THE CHAIRMAN OF THE SUBCOMMITTEE MEETING ESTABLISHED A
SMALL GROUP, CO-CHAIRED BY JAPAN AND THE U.S. THE SMALL
GROUP MET TWICE AND PRESENTED A SLIGHTLY REVISED MOU
AND CLEAR INSTRUCTIONS TO THE SECRETARIAT FOR
NEGOTIATIONS WITH THE CITES STANDING COMMITTEE
CHAIR. BOTH COMPONENTS WERE ADOPTED BY THE
SUBCOMMITTEE. NOTE: POSTS INTERESTED IN OBTAINING A
COPY OF THE MOU TEXT OR THE TEXT OF THE INSTRUCTIONS TO
THE FAO SECRETARIAT MAY CONTACT OES/OMC STETSON TINKHAM
BY E-MAIL AT TINKHAMSX@STATE.GOV. END NOTE.


6. AUSTRALIA, UNDER INSTRUCTIONS FROM CANBERRA, DID NOT
JOIN THE CONSENSUS TO ADOPT THE DECISION-MAKING PROCESS,
BUT STOPPED SHORT OF BLOCKING ADOPTION OF THE
INSTRUCTIONS.

--------------
ECOLABELING DISCUSSION
--------------


7. IN THE FACE OF A PROLIFERATION OF RESPONSES TO CALLS
FROM CONSUMERS FOR RELIABLE LABELS THAT AFFIRM THAT FISH
AND FISH PRODUCTS ARE SUSTAINABLY PRODUCED, FAO HAS
UNDERTAKEN CONSIDERABLE WORK TO PRODUCE INTERNATIONAL
GUIDELINES FOR THE ECOLABELING OF FISH AND FISH
PRODUCTS. THE MOST RECENT EFFORT WAS AN EXPERT
CONSULTATION, HELD 14-17 OCTOBER 2003. THE REPORT OF THE
CONSULTATION WAS PRESENTED BY ITS CHAIR, DR. KRISTJAN
THORARINSSON. HE DESCRIBED THE SCOPE, PRINCIPLES,
MINIMUM SUBSTANTIVE REQUIREMENTS AND PROCEDURAL AND
INSTITUTIONAL ASPECTS SET OUT IN THE DRAFT GUIDELINES.
THE CONSULTATION RECOMMENDED THAT "THIRD PARTY" ECOLABEL
CERTIFICATION PROCEDURES BE ESTABLISHED.


8. THE U.S. POSITION ON ECOLABELING IS STILL EVOLVING.
AT THE SUBCOMMITTEE MEETING, THE U.S. DELEGATION SOUGHT
TO KEEP OPEN THE POSSIBILITY THAT MANAGEMENT AUTHORITIES
AT THE NATIONAL LEVEL MIGHT CERTIFY THAT FISHERIES WERE
CONDUCTED IN A SUSTAINABLE MANNER. ONE WAY OF DESCRIBING
THIS APPROACH WOULD BE TO REFER TO IT AS "SELF-
CERTIFICATION."


9. DURING DISCUSSION OF THIS AGENDA ITEM, NEW ZEALAND
POINTED OUT THAT THE "THIRD PARTY" APPROACH MIGHT LEAD TO
INTRACTABLE LEGAL CHALLENGES AMONG NATIONAL AUTHORITIES,
FISHERS, CONSUMERS AND THE CERTIFIERS. RATHER THAN HAVE
THE FAO INVOLVED IN ANY DISPUTE RESOLUTION, NZ SUGGESTED
NATIONAL BODIES ALREADY EMPOWERED TO ENFORCE TRUTH-IN-

ROME 00000801 003.1 OF 005

RNS OVER THE LEGAL
MORASS DESCRIBED BY NEW ZEALAND AND THE EVOLVING SELF-
CERTIFICATION CONCEPT BY REFERRING TO THE NEED TO FIND A
WAY TO BOTH ESTABLISH ECOLABELS AND RESPECT THE
"...SOVEREIGN RESPONSIBILITIES OF NATIONAL FISHERY
MANAGEMENT AUTHORITIES." JAPAN EXPRESSED CONCERN THAT A
PRIVATE, THIRD PARTY SCHEME MIGHT BE "ARBITRARY."


10. THE SUBCOMMITTEE RECOMMENDED THAT FAO ORGANIZE A
TECHNICAL CONSULTATION TO FURTHER ELABORATE THE WORK OF
THE EXPERT CONSULTATION AND TO FINALIZE DRAFT GUIDELINES
FOR CONSIDERATION AT THE 26TH MEETING OF COFI. THE
CHAIRMAN NOTED THAT THE WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION (WTO)
HAD NOT BEEN REPRESENTED IN THE EXPERT CONSULTATION. HE
SUGGESTED THAT THE FAO TRANSMIT THE DRAFT GUIDELINES FOR
ECOLABELING TO THE WTO TECHNICAL BARRIERS TO TRADE
COMMITTEE FOR POSSIBLE COMMENT IN ADVANCE OF THE
PREPARATION OF DOCUMENTS FOR THE TECHNICAL CONSULTATION.


11. FAO MEMBERS (INCLUDING THE USG) WILL NEED
TO SHARPEN THEIR FOCUS ON THIS TOPIC IN PREPARING FOR THE
TECHNICAL CONSULTATION AND THE COFI MEETING.

--------------
HARMONIZING CATCH DOCUMENTATION SCHEMES
--------------


12. THIS AGENDA ITEM AROSE FROM A REQUEST FROM THE
INTERNATIONAL COALITION OF FISHERIES ASSOCIATIONS, WHOSE
MEMBERS SOUGHT TO HARMONIZE DOCUMENTS REQUIRED BY
REGIONAL FISHERIES BODIES AND OTHERS IN ORDER TO MINIMIZE
THE PAPERWORK BURDENS OF FISHERMEN AND OTHERS IN THE
MARKETING AND DISTRIBUTION CHAIN. NEVERTHELESS, THE
DISCUSSION IN BREMEN INCLUDED A NUMBER OF INTERVENTIONS
SUGGESTING THAT CATCH DOCUMENTATION ITSELF WAS
BURDENSOME! THE SUBCOMMITTEE DID NOT SUPPORT ADDITIONAL
EXPERT OR TECHNICAL CONSULTATIONS ON CATCH DOCUMENTATION
HARMONIZATION, NOR DID IT SUPPORT THE ADOPTION OF THE
DRAFT DOCUMENT PRESENTED BY THE SECRETARIAT. GIVEN THAT
SOME ELEMENTS IN A HARMONIZED DOCUMENT WERE COMMON AND
OTHERS UNIQUE, THE QUESTION WAS POSED AS TO WHETHER ANY
THOUGHT HAD BEEN GIVEN TO A HALF-WAY HARMONIZATION. THERE
WAS CONSENSUS FOR CONTINUED WORK ON THIS TOPIC BY THE
SECRETARIAT, AND SOME, INCLUDING THE UNITED STATES,

SIPDIS
CALLED ON THE SECRETARIAT TO CONSIDER ELECTRONIC CATCH
DOCUMENTATION AS A POSSIBLE SOLUTION.

--------------
TRACEABILITY AND LABELING IN FISH TRADE
--------------


13. DISCUSSION UNDER THIS AGENDA ITEM DREW A NUMBER OF
COMMENTS THAT ALSO APPLIED TO THE ECOLABELING AND CATCH
DOCUMENTATION AGENDA ITEMS. THE EXCHANGE OF VIEWS
REVEALED THAT TRACEABILITY IS A VAGUE CONCEPT THAT MAY BE
USED TO TRACK IUU FISHING, PUBLIC SAFETY AND SUSTAINABLE
FISHERIES ISSUES, AMONG OTHERS. MANY SPEAKERS NOTED THE
NEED FOR TRACING AND LABELING DOCUMENTS TO TAKE INTO
ACCOUNT THE DIFFICULTIES ENCOUNTERED BY DEVELOPING
COUNTRIES IN COMPLYING WITH THESE REQUIREMENTS. OTHERS
POINTED TO THE FACT THAT, LIKE IT OR NOT, TRACEABILITY
REQUIREMENTS WERE BEING IMPOSED ON SHORT DEADLINES BY
MAJOR MARKETS, SUCH AS THE UNITED STATES (CURRENT
LEGISLATION CALLS FOR COUNTRY OF ORIGIN LABELING BY END
SEPTEMBER 2004) AND THE EU (LABELING REQUIREMENTS WILL
TAKE EFFECT IN 2005). PARTICIPANTS SUGGESTED THAT THERE
WAS A REAL NEED FOR CODEX ALIMENTARIUS TO DEVELOP A

ROME 00000801 003.2 OF 005

RNS OVER THE LEGAL
MORASS DESCRIBED BY NEW ZEALAND AND THE EVOLVING SELF-
CERTIFICATION CONCEPT BY REFERRING TO THE NEED TO FIND A
WAY TO BOTH ESTABLISH ECOLABELS AND RESPECT THE
"...SOVEREIGN RESPONSIBILITIES OF NATIONAL FISHERY
MANAGEMENT AUTHORITIES." JAPAN EXPRESSED CONCERN THAT A
PRIVATE, THIRD PARTY SCHEME MIGHT BE "ARBITRARY."


10. THE SUBCOMMITTEE RECOMMENDED THAT FAO ORGANIZE A
TECHNICAL CONSULTATION TO FURTHER ELABORATE THE WORK OF
THE EXPERT CONSULTATION AND TO FINALIZE DRAFT GUIDELINES
FOR CONSIDERATION AT THE 26TH MEETING OF COFI. THE
CHAIRMAN NOTED THAT THE WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION (WTO)
HAD NOT BEEN REPRESENTED IN THE EXPERT CONSULTATION. HE
SUGGESTED THAT THE FAO TRANSMIT THE DRAFT GUIDELINES FOR
ECOLABELING TO THE WTO TECHNICAL BARRIERS TO TRADE
COMMITTEE FOR POSSIBLE COMMENT IN ADVANCE OF THE
PREPARATION OF DOCUMENTS FOR THE TECHNICAL CONSULTATION.


11. FAO MEMBERS (INCLUDING THE USG) WILL NEED
TO SHARPEN THEIR FOCUS ON THIS TOPIC IN PREPARING FOR THE
TECHNICAL CONSULTATION AND THE COFI MEETING.

--------------
HARMONIZING CATCH DOCUMENTATION SCHEMES
--------------


12. THIS AGENDA ITEM AROSE FROM A REQUEST FROM THE
INTERNATIONAL COALITION OF FISHERIES ASSOCIATIONS, WHOSE
MEMBERS SOUGHT TO HARMONIZE DOCUMENTS REQUIRED BY
REGIONAL FISHERIES BODIES AND OTHERS IN ORDER TO MINIMIZE
THE PAPERWORK BURDENS OF FISHERMEN AND OTHERS IN THE
MARKETING AND DISTRIBUTION CHAIN. NEVERTHELESS, THE
DISCUSSION IN BREMEN INCLUDED A NUMBER OF INTERVENTIONS
SUGGESTING THAT CATCH DOCUMENTATION ITSELF WAS
BURDENSOME! THE SUBCOMMITTEE DID NOT SUPPORT ADDITIONAL
EXPERT OR TECHNICAL CONSULTATIONS ON CATCH DOCUMENTATION
HARMONIZATION, NOR DID IT SUPPORT THE ADOPTION OF THE
DRAFT DOCUMENT PRESENTED BY THE SECRETARIAT. GIVEN THAT
SOME ELEMENTS IN A HARMONIZED DOCUMENT WERE COMMON AND
OTHERS UNIQUE, THE QUESTION WAS POSED AS TO WHETHER ANY
THOUGHT HAD BEEN GIVEN TO A HALF-WAY HARMONIZATION. THERE
WAS CONSENSUS FOR CONTINUED WORK ON THIS TOPIC BY THE
SECRETARIAT, AND SOME, INCLUDING THE UNITED STATES,

SIPDIS
CALLED ON THE SECRETARIAT TO CONSIDER ELECTRONIC CATCH
DOCUMENTATION AS A POSSIBLE SOLUTION.

--------------
TRACEABILITY AND LABELING IN FISH TRADE
--------------


13. DISCUSSION UNDER THIS AGENDA ITEM DREW A NUMBER OF
COMMENTS THAT ALSO APPLIED TO THE ECOLABELING AND CATCH
DOCUMENTATION AGENDA ITEMS. THE EXCHANGE OF VIEWS
REVEALED THAT TRACEABILITY IS A VAGUE CONCEPT THAT MAY BE
USED TO TRACK IUU FISHING, PUBLIC SAFETY AND SUSTAINABLE
FISHERIES ISSUES, AMONG OTHERS. MANY SPEAKERS NOTED THE
NEED FOR TRACING AND LABELING DOCUMENTS TO TAKE INTO
ACCOUNT THE DIFFICULTIES ENCOUNTERED BY DEVELOPING
COUNTRIES IN COMPLYING WITH THESE REQUIREMENTS. OTHERS
POINTED TO THE FACT THAT, LIKE IT OR NOT, TRACEABILITY
REQUIREMENTS WERE BEING IMPOSED ON SHORT DEADLINES BY
MAJOR MARKETS, SUCH AS THE UNITED STATES (CURRENT
LEGISLATION CALLS FOR COUNTRY OF ORIGIN LABELING BY END
SEPTEMBER 2004) AND THE EU (LABELING REQUIREMENTS WILL
TAKE EFFECT IN 2005). PARTICIPANTS SUGGESTED THAT THERE
WAS A REAL NEED FOR CODEX ALIMENTARIUS TO DEVELOP A

ROME 00000801 004.1 OF 005

--------------


14. THE SECRETARIAT REPORTED THE RESULTS OF ITS
DISCUSSIONS WITH THE WORLD CUSTOMS ORGANIZATION (WCO).
DESPITE THE HOPES OF MANY DELEGATES THAT A WAY COULD BE
FOUND TO USE THE HARMONIZED SCHEDULE (HS) OF TARIFF CODES
IN TRACING THE FLOW OF FISH AND FISH PRODUCTS THROUGH THE
STREAM OF COMMERCE, THE SECRETARIAT REPORTED THAT THERE
WERE ONLY TWO WAYS TO REVISE THE HS CODES: SLOW AND
SLOWER! FAO MEMBERS WERE ENCOURAGED TO PASS IDEAS FOR
COLLABORATION WITH THE WCO TO THE SECRETARIAT. IN
DISCUSSING THE TOPIC, MEMBERS ALSO REFERRED TO THE NEED
TO DISTINGUISH BETWEEN CAPTURE FISHERY PRODUCTS AND
AQUACULTURE FISHERY PRODUCTS, AND HOW THE HS CODE SYSTEM
SEEMED TO PROVIDE A LOGICAL MECHANISM BY WHICH TO
ACCOMPLISH THAT.

-------------- --------------
SAFETY AND QUALITY, WITH PARTICULAR EMPHASIS ON FISHMEAL
-------------- --------------


15. THIS ITEM WAS PLACED ON THE SUBCOMMITTEE AGENDA
SEVERAL YEARS AGO, IN THE WAKE OF THE "MAD COW" BOVINE
SPONGIFORM ENCEPHALOPATHY (BSE) DISEASE OUTBREAK IN
EUROPE. DESIGNED TO PREVENT THE USE OF MEAL MADE FROM
PARTS OF BSE-INFECTED ANIMALS, EU RULES (AND IMPRECISE
DETECTION METHODOLOGIES) DRAMATICALLY RESTRICTED SALES OF
FISHMEAL FROM PERU INTO THE EU MARKET. PERU AND THE
INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR FISHMEAL AND OIL PRODUCERS
ARGUED FORCIBLY FOR THE EU TO LIFT ITS RESTRICTIONS. THE
EU COULD ONLY REPLY THAT NEW ANALYTICAL TESTS MIGHT MAKE
EASING THE RULES A POSSIBILITY DURING 2004. IT WAS
AGREED THAT HACCP-BASED SYSTEMS HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO AN
IMPROVEMENT IN FISH SAFETY AND QUALITY AND THAT THEIR
APPLICATION SHOULD BE EXPANDED. FAO CAPACITY BUILDING
EFFORTS IN THIS AREA ARE WIDELY AGREED TO BE AN ESSENTIAL
COMPONENT OF THIS STRATEGY.

-------------- --
SUBCOMMITTEE FOR FISH TRADE AND COMMON FUND FOR
COMMODITIES
-------------- --


16. TOPICS DISCUSSED UNDER THIS AGENDA ITEM DEALT WITH
COLLABORATION BETWEEN THE FAO AND THE COMMON FUND FOR
COMMODITIES (CFC). A NUMBER OF SUCCESSFUL REGIONAL
COLLABORATIONS WERE DESCRIBED, OFTEN IN MORE DEPTH THAN
SOME PARTICIPANTS MAY HAVE WISHED. NEVERTHELESS, THE
COLLABORATION IS A GOOD EXAMPLE OF HOW FAO EXPERTISE AND
LIMITED FUNDS CAN BE PARTNERED WITH FUNDING FROM OTHER
SOURCES TO ACCOMPLISH THE SUSTAINABLE FISHERIES
OBJECTIVES OF THE FAO.

--------------
FISH TRADE AND FOOD SECURITY
--------------


17. THIS AGENDA ITEM EVOKED A SERIES OF INTERVENTIONS
ABOUT THE CONFLICTS BETWEEN HARVESTING OR PRODUCING FISH
FOR FOOD WITHIN FAO MEMBER COUNTRIES AND HARVESTING OR
PRODUCING FISH FOR TRADE. NORWAY HAD FUNDED A STUDY ON
THE TOPIC. THE STUDY HIGHLIGHTED THE IMPORTANCE OF THE
SECTOR FOR EMPLOYMENT, AND THE NEED FOR SUSTAINABLE
FISHERIES (AND AQUACULTURE) IN ORDER TO ACHIEVE

ROME 00000801 004.2 OF 005

--------------


14. THE SECRETARIAT REPORTED THE RESULTS OF ITS
DISCUSSIONS WITH THE WORLD CUSTOMS ORGANIZATION (WCO).
DESPITE THE HOPES OF MANY DELEGATES THAT A WAY COULD BE
FOUND TO USE THE HARMONIZED SCHEDULE (HS) OF TARIFF CODES
IN TRACING THE FLOW OF FISH AND FISH PRODUCTS THROUGH THE
STREAM OF COMMERCE, THE SECRETARIAT REPORTED THAT THERE
WERE ONLY TWO WAYS TO REVISE THE HS CODES: SLOW AND
SLOWER! FAO MEMBERS WERE ENCOURAGED TO PASS IDEAS FOR
COLLABORATION WITH THE WCO TO THE SECRETARIAT. IN
DISCUSSING THE TOPIC, MEMBERS ALSO REFERRED TO THE NEED
TO DISTINGUISH BETWEEN CAPTURE FISHERY PRODUCTS AND
AQUACULTURE FISHERY PRODUCTS, AND HOW THE HS CODE SYSTEM
SEEMED TO PROVIDE A LOGICAL MECHANISM BY WHICH TO
ACCOMPLISH THAT.

-------------- --------------
SAFETY AND QUALITY, WITH PARTICULAR EMPHASIS ON FISHMEAL
-------------- --------------


15. THIS ITEM WAS PLACED ON THE SUBCOMMITTEE AGENDA
SEVERAL YEARS AGO, IN THE WAKE OF THE "MAD COW" BOVINE
SPONGIFORM ENCEPHALOPATHY (BSE) DISEASE OUTBREAK IN
EUROPE. DESIGNED TO PREVENT THE USE OF MEAL MADE FROM
PARTS OF BSE-INFECTED ANIMALS, EU RULES (AND IMPRECISE
DETECTION METHODOLOGIES) DRAMATICALLY RESTRICTED SALES OF
FISHMEAL FROM PERU INTO THE EU MARKET. PERU AND THE
INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR FISHMEAL AND OIL PRODUCERS
ARGUED FORCIBLY FOR THE EU TO LIFT ITS RESTRICTIONS. THE
EU COULD ONLY REPLY THAT NEW ANALYTICAL TESTS MIGHT MAKE
EASING THE RULES A POSSIBILITY DURING 2004. IT WAS
AGREED THAT HACCP-BASED SYSTEMS HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO AN
IMPROVEMENT IN FISH SAFETY AND QUALITY AND THAT THEIR
APPLICATION SHOULD BE EXPANDED. FAO CAPACITY BUILDING
EFFORTS IN THIS AREA ARE WIDELY AGREED TO BE AN ESSENTIAL
COMPONENT OF THIS STRATEGY.

-------------- --
SUBCOMMITTEE FOR FISH TRADE AND COMMON FUND FOR
COMMODITIES
-------------- --


16. TOPICS DISCUSSED UNDER THIS AGENDA ITEM DEALT WITH
COLLABORATION BETWEEN THE FAO AND THE COMMON FUND FOR
COMMODITIES (CFC). A NUMBER OF SUCCESSFUL REGIONAL
COLLABORATIONS WERE DESCRIBED, OFTEN IN MORE DEPTH THAN
SOME PARTICIPANTS MAY HAVE WISHED. NEVERTHELESS, THE
COLLABORATION IS A GOOD EXAMPLE OF HOW FAO EXPERTISE AND
LIMITED FUNDS CAN BE PARTNERED WITH FUNDING FROM OTHER
SOURCES TO ACCOMPLISH THE SUSTAINABLE FISHERIES
OBJECTIVES OF THE FAO.

--------------
FISH TRADE AND FOOD SECURITY
--------------


17. THIS AGENDA ITEM EVOKED A SERIES OF INTERVENTIONS
ABOUT THE CONFLICTS BETWEEN HARVESTING OR PRODUCING FISH
FOR FOOD WITHIN FAO MEMBER COUNTRIES AND HARVESTING OR
PRODUCING FISH FOR TRADE. NORWAY HAD FUNDED A STUDY ON
THE TOPIC. THE STUDY HIGHLIGHTED THE IMPORTANCE OF THE
SECTOR FOR EMPLOYMENT, AND THE NEED FOR SUSTAINABLE
FISHERIES (AND AQUACULTURE) IN ORDER TO ACHIEVE

ROME 00000801 005.1 OF 005

EMPLOYMENT IN SMALL AND
MEDIUM ENTERPRISES AND FOR WOMEN, AND THE ROLE OF
INTERNATIONAL TRADE IN FISH AND FISH PRODUCTS TO SMALL
ENTERPRISES AND WOMEN.

-------------- --------------
SMALL-SCALE FISHERIES CATCH -- ACCESS TO INTERNATIONAL
TRADE
-------------- --------------


18. THE SECRETARIAT REPORTED ON ITS PAPER THAT EXPLORED
FACTORS THAT PREVENT SMALL-SCALE FISHERIES CATCHES FROM
ENTERING INTERNATIONAL TRADE. PARTICIPANTS COMMENTED
FAVORABLY ON THE BALANCED VIEWS PRESENTED IN THE REPORT.
PARTICIPANTS ALSO ENDORSED CONTINUING WORK BY FAO ON THE
DEVELOPMENT OF GUIDELINES ON INCREASING THE CONTRIBUTION
OF SMALL-SCALE FISHERIES IN FOOD SECURITY AND POVERTY
ALLEVIATION, WHICH WOULD BE THE TOPIC OF A FUTURE EXPERT
CONSULTATION. THE SUBCOMMITTEE RECOMMENDED THAT FAO GIVE
A HIGHER PRIORITY TO THE SMALL-SCALE SECTOR.

--------------
GENERAL COMMENT
--------------


19. THE AGENDA OF THE SUBCOMMITTEE MEETING WAS
GENERALLY WELL ORGANIZED AND THE SECRETARIAT WAS WIDELY
PRAISED FOR THE ELEVATED QUALITY OF THE PAPERS PREPARED
FOR THIS MEETING. THOSE CASES WHERE OVERLAP AND LACK OF
FOCUS OCCURRED WERE MOST LIKELY THE RESULT OF THE
COMPLEXITIES AND THE INTER-CONNECTIVITY OF THE SUBJECT
MATTER, RATHER THAN THE ABILITY OF THE SECRETARIAT TO
ORGANIZE ITS WORKLOAD. THIS SUBCOMMITTEE IS AN EFFECTIVE
BODY FOR THE ELABORATION OF SOLUTIONS TO THE ISSUES
RELATED TO TRADE IN FISH AND FISH PRODUCTS. SIMILARITIES
IN THE SPECIES TYPES AND IN THE PRODUCT FORMS FROM WILD
CAPTURE FISHERIES AND FROM AQUACULTURE, AS WELL AS THE
ALREADY HUGE AND STILL GROWING CONTRIBUTION OF
AQUACULTURE TO TRADE IN FISH AND FISH PRODUCTS MEAN THAT
THE COMMITTEE WILL NEED TO PAY MORE ATTENTION TO THE
TRADE ASPECTS OF AQUACULTURE ISSUES IN THE FUTURE. FAO
WILL NEED TO COORDINATE THE WORK OF THE SECRETARIAT WITH
RESPECT TO THOSE TASKS UNDERTAKEN BY THIS SUBCOMMITTEE
AND BY THE SUBCOMMITTEE ON AQUACULTURE.

HALL

ROME 00000801 005.2 OF 005

EMPLOYMENT IN SMALL AND
MEDIUM ENTERPRISES AND FOR WOMEN, AND THE ROLE OF
INTERNATIONAL TRADE IN FISH AND FISH PRODUCTS TO SMALL
ENTERPRISES AND WOMEN.

-------------- --------------
SMALL-SCALE FISHERIES CATCH -- ACCESS TO INTERNATIONAL
TRADE
-------------- --------------


18. THE SECRETARIAT REPORTED ON ITS PAPER THAT EXPLORED
FACTORS THAT PREVENT SMALL-SCALE FISHERIES CATCHES FROM
ENTERING INTERNATIONAL TRADE. PARTICIPANTS COMMENTED
FAVORABLY ON THE BALANCED VIEWS PRESENTED IN THE REPORT.
PARTICIPANTS ALSO ENDORSED CONTINUING WORK BY FAO ON THE
DEVELOPMENT OF GUIDELINES ON INCREASING THE CONTRIBUTION
OF SMALL-SCALE FISHERIES IN FOOD SECURITY AND POVERTY
ALLEVIATION, WHICH WOULD BE THE TOPIC OF A FUTURE EXPERT
CONSULTATION. THE SUBCOMMITTEE RECOMMENDED THAT FAO GIVE
A HIGHER PRIORITY TO THE SMALL-SCALE SECTOR.

--------------
GENERAL COMMENT
--------------


19. THE AGENDA OF THE SUBCOMMITTEE MEETING WAS
GENERALLY WELL ORGANIZED AND THE SECRETARIAT WAS WIDELY
PRAISED FOR THE ELEVATED QUALITY OF THE PAPERS PREPARED
FOR THIS MEETING. THOSE CASES WHERE OVERLAP AND LACK OF
FOCUS OCCURRED WERE MOST LIKELY THE RESULT OF THE
COMPLEXITIES AND THE INTER-CONNECTIVITY OF THE SUBJECT
MATTER, RATHER THAN THE ABILITY OF THE SECRETARIAT TO
ORGANIZE ITS WORKLOAD. THIS SUBCOMMITTEE IS AN EFFECTIVE
BODY FOR THE ELABORATION OF SOLUTIONS TO THE ISSUES
RELATED TO TRADE IN FISH AND FISH PRODUCTS. SIMILARITIES
IN THE SPECIES TYPES AND IN THE PRODUCT FORMS FROM WILD
CAPTURE FISHERIES AND FROM AQUACULTURE, AS WELL AS THE
ALREADY HUGE AND STILL GROWING CONTRIBUTION OF
AQUACULTURE TO TRADE IN FISH AND FISH PRODUCTS MEAN THAT
THE COMMITTEE WILL NEED TO PAY MORE ATTENTION TO THE
TRADE ASPECTS OF AQUACULTURE ISSUES IN THE FUTURE. FAO
WILL NEED TO COORDINATE THE WORK OF THE SECRETARIAT WITH
RESPECT TO THOSE TASKS UNDERTAKEN BY THIS SUBCOMMITTEE
AND BY THE SUBCOMMITTEE ON AQUACULTURE.

HALL

NNNN
2004ROME00801 - Classification: UNCLASSIFIED