ANNOTATIONS
1. Adoption of the agenda
TRADE/WP.7/GE.1/2004/1
According to the Commission's Rules of Procedure, the
first item on the provisional agenda shall be the adoption of the agenda.
2. Matters of interest arising since the
last session
TRADE/WP.7/GE.1/2004/2
Delegations
will be informed about the work of interest that has taken place in different
groups within and outside UNECE.
(a) UNECE
- Committee for Trade, Industry and
Enterprise Development
- United Nations Centre for Trade
Facilitation and Electronic Commerce
- Working Party on Technical
Harmonization and Standardization Policy
- Working Party on Transport of
Perishable Foodstuffs
(b) Other
organizations:
- Codex Alimentarius Commission and
Codex Committee on Fresh Fruits and Vegetables
- European Union
- OECD Scheme for the Application of
International Standards for Fruit and Vegetables
3. Proposals to revise
UNECE Standards
(a) Cherries
TRADE/WP.7/GE.1/2004/20 (European Community)
(b) Cultivated
Mushrooms
TRADE/WP.7/GE.1/2004/21 (European Community)
(c) Early
and Ware Potatoes TRADE/WP.7/GE.1/2004/7 (Germany)
TRADE/WP.7/GE.1/2004/8 (France)
Work on early and ware potatoes was included in the
work programme of the specialized section after the decision of the working
party to abolish the specialized section on standardization of early and ware
potatoes. At this session the delegation of Germany proposes to unite the
standards for early and ware potatoes in one standard. Further amendments are
expected from France.
(d) Kiwi
fruit TRADE/WP.7/GE.1/2004/3 (New Zealand)
TRADE/WP.7/GE.1/2004/4 (New Zealand)
The delegation of New
Zealand presents in the documents the results of a meeting of the working group
on kiwi fruit - 2004/3 and a new consolidated text of the standard. Following
the consensus found at that meeting, the Working Party decided not to adopt the
text agreed at the last meeting of the Specialized Section to the Working Party
but to wait for a new consolidated text.
(e) Peaches
and Nectarines TRADE/WP.7/GE.1/2004/24 (European Community)
The European Community transmitted proposals for
amendments to the Standard for Peaches and Nectarines.
(f) Pears
List of Varieties
TRADE/WP.7/GE.1/2004/22
Changes to the list of varieties have been submitted
by the European Community.
(g) Table
grapes
TRADE/WP.7/GE.1/2004/5 (South Africa)
At the last
session the delegation of South Africa had prepared a list (based on
contributions from different countries) where maturity requirements were listed
according to the variety. A new version of this list is contained in 2004/5.
Delegations are invited to complete the table with values for varieties, which
are of concern to them. The delegation of Israel has indicated that colour is
an important maturity requirement for them and they will introduce this issue
at the session.
The Specialized Section will also be informed about
progress made at the 11th session of the CCFFV in September 2003.
(h) Watermelons
TRADE/WP.7/GE.1/2004/6 (European Community)
4. Review of UNECE Recommendations
(a) Apples
TRADE/WP.7/GE.1/2004/9 (New Zealand)
TRADE/WP.7/GE.1/2004/10 (COPA/COGECA)*
TRADE/WP.7/GE.1/2004/19 (Turkey)
TRADE/WP.7/GE.1/2004/23 (European Community)
INF.1 (European Community)
The text of the recommendation will finish its trial
period in November 2005.
In their
document the delegation of New Zealand presents proposals concerning uniformity
and maturity of apples.
In INF.1
the European Community indicates brix levels for apples.
A delegation of COPA/COGECA (European farmers and cooperatives association) will participate
for the first time in the meeting and make comments on minimum sizes for
apples.
Turkey and the European Community propose amendments
to the list of varieties.
(b) Citrus fruit
TRADE/WP.7/GE.1/2004/11 (South Africa)
The text of the recommendation will finish its trial
period in November 2004.
At the last
session a working group on Citrus Fruit was formed (Israel, South Africa,
Germany United Kingdom, Spain, Turkey and the European Community) to further
discuss maturity requirements and the simplification of the sizing provisions.
(c) Plums
TRADE/WP.7/GE.1/2004/12 (European Community)
INF.2 (South Africa)
The text
concerning inter-specific hybrids will end its trial period in November 2004.
The
delegation of South Africa will give a presentation concerning interspecific
hybrids.
5. Proposals for new UNECE Standards
(a) Draft
UNECE Standard for Shallots
TRADE/WP.7/GE.1/2004/13 (France, Germany,
Netherlands, Sweden and the United Kingdom)*
The working group will present a revised draft for
this standard.
(b) Draft UNECE Standard
for Truffles
TRADE/WP.7/GE.1/2004/14 (France, Spain, European
Commission)*
The working group will present a revised draft for
this standard.
(c) Draft
UNECE Standard for Ceps
The Specialized Section will be informed on progress
made in the working group (Finland, France, Slovakia, Bulgaria).
6. Amendments to the general texts
(a) Proposal for a layout of new terms of
reference for the Working Party and its Specialized Sections (Geneva Protocol,
Standard Layout, Working Procedures)
TRADE/WP.7/2002/9/Add.12 TRADE/WP.7/2001/6 TRADE/WP.7/2001/9,
paras. 75 to 81 TRADE/WP.7/2003/6 paras. 128-137
TRADE/WP.7/GE.1/2004/15 (Secretariat)
In the document the secretariat proposes the layout
for new terms of reference of the working party and the specialized sections
combining texts which are at present contained in the Geneva Protocol, the
standard layout and the working procedures.
The questions concerning the point of application and
consumer packages (working group: European Community and United States) were
left open in the document as more information on this question is expected from
delegations.
(b) Compatibility
of the control certificate and the UNECE layout key for trade documents
INF.3 (Secretariat)
The Specialized Section is invited to discuss if the
control certificate should be aligned with the layout key.
(c) Template
for application for inclusion of varieties (Apples, Pears, Plums, Table Grapes)
At the last session a template for amendments to the
list of varieties of the UNECE Standard for Apples was created. The delegation
of Turkey used this template in their document (see TRADE/WP.7/GE.1/2004/19)
specialized section is invited to discuss the experience with this template and
possibly create further templates for the other standards with lists of
varieties.
(d) Stickers
fixed directly on the fruit/vegetable
At the last session the standard layout was changed to
include a sentence concerning stickers directly fixed on the individual fruit/
vegetable. Since then the question arose to which standards this sentence
applies or if it should be included in all standards. In the following list of
standards the secretariat has marked those with bold where the sentence could possibly
apply:
Annonas
|
Carrots
|
Horse-radish
|
Raspberries
|
Apples
|
Cauliflower
|
Kiwifruit
|
Rhubarb
|
Apricots
|
Chinese cabbage
|
Leeks
|
Ribbed celery
|
Artichokes
|
Cherries
|
Lettuce and Endives
|
Scorzonera
|
Asparagus
|
Citrus fruit
|
Mangoes
|
Shelling peas
|
Aubergines
|
Courgettes
|
Melons
|
Spinach
|
Avocados
|
Cucumbers
|
Onions
|
Strawberries
|
Beans
|
Cultivated mushrooms
|
Peaches and
nectarines
|
Sweet peppers
|
Bilberries
|
Edible sweet chestnuts
|
Pears
|
Table grapes
|
Broccoli
|
Fennel
|
Pineapples
|
Tomatoes
|
Brussels sprouts
|
Fresh figs
|
Plums
|
Watermelons
|
Cabbages
|
Garlic
|
Radishes
|
Witloof chicory
|
7. Use of codes in UNECE Standards
(a) Use of
code marks, possibility for internationally harmonized marks
At the last session it was mentioned that the use of
code marks increases and that there should be some harmonization in the codes
used, for example that each code should start with the ISO country code.
It was decided to:
Examine the current practice in
different countries (to send out a new questionnaire)
To discuss the issue in the working
group on harmonized produce coding, keeping in mind that there should be no
duplication of the work of other organizations (e.g. the World Customs
Organization)
The secretariat suggests
to develop a questionnaire at the session and to send it out as an addendum to
the report.
(b) Working Group on internationally
harmonized produce coding TRADE/WP.7/GE.1/2004/16
(Secretariat)
The document contains the
draft report of a meeting of the working group held at the invitation of EAN
International and the European Community in Brussels in January 2004. Members
of the working group might wish to make further comments.
The delegation of EAN
International has proposed to give a comprehensive presentation at
the next meeting of the Specialized Section on Fresh Fruit and Vegetables.
8. WHO strategy on diet, physical activity and health
INF.4 (Secretariat)
The secretariat will distribute information on this
strategy at the meeting and invite a representative from WHO to report about
the progress made in this area and to discuss joint actions to promote the
consumption of fruit and vegetables.
9. Cooperation with the OECD Scheme
TRADE/WP.7/GE.1/2004/17
(OECD)
At the last session the secretariat had proposed to consider
if OECD brochures could be adopted as official interpretations of UNECE
Standards as the practice of adopting OECD texts was already established (e.g.
exchange of information on non-conformity cases). The proposal had been further
discussed at the working party where some concerns due to the different
membership of the bodies had been raised. As an experiment the OECD brochure
for tomatoes is transmitted to the specialized section for information and
discussion. No decision is expected at this session
10.List of authorities for exchange of
information on non-conformity cases TRADE/WP.7/GE.1/2004/18
(Sweden)
The delegation of Sweden compiled a list of
authorities for exchange of non-conformity information.
11.Application of UNECE Standards
INF.5 (Secretariat)
The secretariat will inform the Specialized Section on
the status of Application of UNECE Standards.
12.Workshops, seminars, training courses and other activities concerning
capacity building for the application of quality standards
The Specialized Section will be informed about
different capacity building activities already held in 2004 or planned to be
held.
13.Other business
Any other business can be discussed under this item.
14.Future work and meetings
(a) Date
and place of the next session
The next meeting of the Specialized Section has been
scheduled tentatively from 28 February to 4 March 2005.
(b) Future
work
Delegations are invited to make proposals for future
work under this agenda item.
(c) Preparation
of the next session of the Working Party
Any information to be transmitted to the next session
of the Working Party should be mentioned under this agenda item.
15.Election of officers
According
to the Commission's Rules of Procedure and established practice, the Meeting is
expected to elect a Chair and a vice-chair. At the last session the Specialized
Section elected Mr. D. Holliday (United
Kingdom) as Chair and Ms. U. Bickelmann (Germany) as its Vice-Chair.
16.Adoption of the report
The Specialized Section will adopt the report of its
fiftieth session on the basis of a draft prepared by the secretariat.
NOTE BY THE
SECRETARIAT:
Contributions should be sent to the secretariat either
on diskette by mail to :
Food Standards
Officer
UNECE Trade Division
Palais des Nations Office 432
1211 Geneva 10
Tel: (41) 22 917 2450
Fax: (41) 22 917 0629
or by e-mail to:
[email protected]
Meeting documentation will be available on our
homepage: http://www.unece.org/trade/agr/welcome.htm
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