Bridges Trade BioRes • Volume 3 • Number 20 • 14th November 2003

SUPERMARKETS - A NEW THREAT TO SMALL AFRICAN FARMERS

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In Brief

METHYL BROMIDE POLLUTES CHEMICALS MEETING

The fifteenth meeting of the parties to the Montreal Protocol on substances that deplete the ozone layer is taking place from 10-14 November in Nairobi, Kenya. Items discussed include: a study on the management of the financial mechanism of the Montreal Protocol, implications of entry into force of the Beijing Amendment, various issues relating to exemptions of ozone-depleting substances (ODS) from the control measures and specific interim reductions of methyl bromide. Particularly controversial at this meeting was the developed nations’ proposed phase-out of the pesticide methyl bromide, a significant ozone depleting substance, by 1 January 2005. The US, EU and Japan have cut the use of the chemical by 30 percent relative to their previous production. However, the US now argues that it needs more time to find effective substitutes due to a drop in production in farming sectors traditionally using methyl bromide. The US has therefore requested a two-year exemption from the proposed 2005 ban on production and importation, increasing its use to 39 percent in 2005 and 37 percent in 2006. The EU, however, opposes such exemptions and is unwilling to reverse on the progress made. The 134 Parties to the Protocol failed to reach a consensus on methyl bromide and are considering an extraordinary meeting of the Parties in the Montreal Protocol either in March or April next year in Montreal, Canada.

The Montreal Protocol is one of the six Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs), which has attended negotiating sessions of the WTO Committee on Trade and Environment in the past as ad hoc observer. For daily reports of the meeting and a final analysis, see IISD Linkages.

"EU and US to clash over phase-out of methyl bromide," EURACTIV, 10 November 2003; "US, ozone experts argue over methyl bromide ban," REUTERS, 13 November 2003, "Talks fail to agree on ozone damaging fumigant-US," REUTERS, 14 November 2003; "MOP-15 Highlights: 10-14 November," ENB, 10-14 November 2003.

FOREST SERVICES- THE WAY AHEAD?

Member countries of the International Tropical Timber Agreement (ITTA) met from 10-12 November in Yokohama, Japan for the second preparatory committee meeting of the IITA, which has been in place since 1984 and is now up for renewal. Discussions focused mainly on emerging markets for tropical forest services as well as property rights of indigenous peoples. Participants noted that international trade in primary products from tropical forests was continuously decreasing both in volume and in value, concluding that trade in forest services might be the best future economic option. In this context delegates raised concerns as to how to ensure that indigenous peoples and other local communities owning the forests also take part in the economic benefits of forest services. Chairman Jürgen Blaser from Switzerland suggested establishing property rights and legal frameworks in this area. Government delegates from Norway, supported by Malaysia, Venezuela, Indonesia, the Republic of Congo and the EC, warned that the ITTA and its implementing agency the International Tropical Timber Organisation (ITTO) should not duplicate the work of other international bodies such as the WTO and the CBD. Whereas Norway supported the inclusion of property rights of indigenous peoples, the EC stressed that it would prefer the ITTA only to be an agreement on commodities.

For daily coverage of the meeting, see ENB Daily Updates.

"Ecosystem Services of Tropical Forests Growing in Importance," ENS, 12 November 2003; "Prepcom II Highlights," IISD’s Earth Negotiations Bulletin, 12 November 2003.

SUSTAINABLE TRADE OF MAHOGANY BECOMES LEGALLY BINDING

On 15 November, big-leaf mahogany will be added to Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna (CITES), which will provide legally binding controls for international trade in the species (see BRIDGES Trade BioRes, 21 November 2003). In practice, this means that all shipments of mahogany will have to be accompanied with a CITES export permit, thereby assuring importers that they are buying legally and sustainably harvested timber. Furthermore, the regulation will benefit local and indigenous communities by promoting the sharing of benefits from the harvest of this highly valuable commodity. One cubic meter of big-leaf mahogany is worth around USD 1,300. According to Greenpeace, big-leaf mahogany is threatened by extinction mainly due to illegal logging practices and illegal export of the timber. In 2001, Greenpeace released a report documenting widespread illegal logging of the tree in the Brazilian Amazon. In response, the Brazilian government issued an export ban while at the same time promoting a scheme for the sustainable and legal logging of mahogany. The CITES listing provides both importing and exporting countries with measures to control the legality of the shipment and provides exporting countries with tools to manage the sustainable use and the sustainable trade of mahogany resources.

"International Mahogany Trade Comes Under CITES Control," ENS, 12 November 2003; "Experts meet in Montreal, Canada, on UN biodiversity convention," UN NEWS CENTRE, 11 November 2003.

CASPIAN RANGE STATES FINALLY ADOPT CASPIAN SEA CONVENTION

Ministers from the five Caspian littoral states — Azerbaijan, Iran, Kazakhstan, the Russian Federation and Turkmenistan — met on 4 November for a ceremony at the Iranian capital, Tehran, to sign the Framework Convention for the Protection of the Marine Environment of the Caspian Sea. While four of the countries signed the treaty designed to protect the fragile environment of the Caspian Sea, Turkmenistan refused to sign the Convention, arguing that it needed more time to consider its terms. However, on 8 November Turkmeni Environment Minister Matkarim Radzhapov returned to the Iranian capital and added his name to the treaty. The Framework Convention aims to reverse ecological and environmental damage in the Caspian Sea area caused by industrial pollution, sewage and leaks from oil refineries. The sea also suffers from uncontrolled fishing of the caviar-producing sturgeon, the over-exploitation of marine resources, and the destruction of the region’s biological diversity. The adoption of the Framework Convention has been the objective of a five-year process under the Caspian Environment Programme (CEP) implemented by UNDP, UNEP and the World Bank. The initiative has also been linked to a process under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna (CITES) on the protection of Caspian sturgeon, the stocks of which have declined by 90 percent since the late 1970s (see BRIDGES Weekly, 19 June 2001). Until recently, the five littoral states were at odds over the legal status of the Caspian Sea, as this question has significant implications for each country’s share of the enormous oil reserves of the Caspian. So far, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan and the Russian Federation have struck a deal dividing the territory amongst themselves, leaving out Iran and Turkmenistan. The Convention is the first treaty adopted by the five new, young countries. The accord now goes to member governments for ratification, a process that could take several more years.

"Turkmenistan signs Caspian Sea Environmental treaty," UN WIRE, 11 November 2003; "Turkmenistan backs away from landmark Caspian agreement," IRIN, 5 November 2003; "Turkmenistan walks away from Caspian Sea treaty," UN WIRE, 5 November 2003; "Caspian states sign deal to protect caviar sea," REUTERS, 4 November 2003.

IS THE FLOWER INDUSTRY DRYING OUT KENYA’S LAKE NAIVASHA?

Fishermen and local residents living on the shores of Lake Naivasha in Kenya have recently made alarming announcements that the water levels of the Lake have been dropping for the past several years, fish stocks are declining and the lake is being polluted by chemicals. The blame for this situation has been put on the flower industry around the lake. Approximately 30 large flower farms, mainly producing cut flowers for the European markets, are situated around the lake. The flower industry is using water from the lake for irrigation purposes and has been accused of polluting the lake water through extensive use of chemicals, which has had a heavy effect on the lake’s biodiversity. The flower export is the third largest foreign cash income for Kenya, following tea exports and tourism. One of the biggest flower farms is the Dutch owned "Oserian Flowers", which states that it is constantly reviewing its production methods and developing environmentally friendly production techniques. Oserian Flowers denies dispensing chemicals into the lake and furthermore, stressed that is only using trickle irrigation for the entire farm. In order to raise the awareness of the conservation efforts, local residents have formed the Naivasha management committee. Andrew Esculen from this committee points out that "the problem that I struggle with is that the more environmentally friendly we are in our behaviour around the lake, the less competitive advantage we have". Lake Naivasha is the only fresh water ecosystem in the eastern Rift Valley with area between 114 and 991 square kilometres, depending on the rainfall.

For information on a newly established flower labelling programme, click here.

"Flower farming threatens Kenya’s fresh water lake," AFP, 3 November 2003; "Anxiety as Kenyan lake dries up," BBC, 10 November 2003.

IS BINDING TREATY ON GIANT BIRDS AND FISHING PRACTICES ENTERS INTO FORCE

On 7 November, South Africa was the fifth nation to sign the Agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels (ACAP) under the Convention on Migratory Species. Albatrosses and petrels are threatened by extinction as they get hooked on bait used in longline fishing and drown, their prey is being overfished, and they face various risks from marine pollution. The treaty will enter into force on 1 February 2004 and is seen by many environmentalists as the last chance to save the giant birds. The treaty has been welcomed by conservationists as it is a legally binding agreement obliging Parties to take specific measures to mitigate the effect of, for example, unsustainable fishing practices on the conservation status of the birds. In particular, attention is being paid to the effects of illegal, unregulated and unreported fishing, and using longline fishing practices. The first meeting of the parties to the Convention will be held next year, to establish future steps. Other countries that have ratified the Convention include Australia, New Zealand, Spain and Ecuador; the UK is said to be following soon.

"South Africa, Joins Treaty to Protect Albatrosses, Petrels," ENS, 7 November 2003; "South Africa Joins Treaty to protect Rare Sea Birds," REUTERS, 7 November 2003.

According to a new study from the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), small farmers in Africa risk being marginalised as supermarkets spread. New supermarkets are being established at a rapid rate across urban areas and rural centres in Eastern and Southern Africa, and the traditional supply and distribution systems for food, in which small farmers play an important part, are being disrupted. Millions of small farmers need to adapt to survive. In the words of Kostas Stamoulis of the FAO, "if we don’t help small farmers tap into the supply game and become players in this new market they will be left on the sidelines". In terms of benefits, the spread of supermarkets could provide a stable market for farmers’ produce, as well as create transport and distribution jobs. In order to enjoy these benefits, however, the small farmers need assistance and resources to, for example, set up cooperatives and associations to meet the volume of supply requested by the supermarkets, and learn to negotiate with large companies. Further, credit schemes could be set into place to allow small farmers to buy technology they need in order to meet new food quality and safety standards. In South Africa, 55 percent of food is sold in supermarkets, and in Kenya 200 supermarkets and 10 hypermarkets account for the same amount of sales as 90,000 small shops. The trend is unlikely to be reversed; hence the need for small farmers to adapt.

"Rise of supermarkets across Africa threatens small farmers," FAO Release, 8 October 2003.