« 00024 · Edit Form · 00026 »
Els Wynen (2004) Impact of organic guarantee systems on production and trade in organic products
Paper,
International Task Force on Harmonization and Equivalence
Document:
impact_of_organic_guarantee_systems.pdf
Abstract
The need for standards, with an accompanying certification system, in organic agriculture, causes problems for different players in the organic market. On the one hand, in the present situation extra direct costs (for inspection and certification) and indirect costs (related to production and marketing) can be expected as compared with a situation of increased harmonization. These extra costs can be expected both for producers and other players in the supply chain, such as processors, wholesalers and retailers. On the other hand, some exporters and producers in importing countries may be disadvantaged
by a move towards increased harmonization. Consumers, especially in the importing countries, should be expected to gain with increased harmonization, when all effects have worked themselves through the system.
This study set out to quantify the benefits from harmonization of organic standards and certification. The first part looks at the concepts involved with harmonization in the organic sector. The second part attempts to quantify the issues. As with most changes,
gains and losses would not be evenly distributed, so an analysis of the changes due to harmonization includes not only the gains but also identifies the winners and losers. At this stage, only the wheat and coffee sectors have been included in the analysis.
Keywords: harmonization of organic certification requirements, cost comparisions.
Relevance to our study:
This paper examines the present situation of a non-harmonized certification system and it effect on direct and indirect costs. The paper looks at the concerpts involced with harmonization and quantifies the issues. The paper discusses ways to solve the situation of divergent standards of certification and looks at the effects of the certification requirements with and without harmonization, providing a clear comparision.
Relevancy on a scale from 1 to 5 = 4
Review status: Finished
Review started on 2009–04–17
Reviewed by Jane Vine?
Comments:
