What role for non –state actors in the negotiations and implementation of the EPA’s

1. 10TH REGIONAL SEMINAR OF ACP – EU ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL INTEREST GROUPSGABORONE BOTSWANA 28 -30 June 2009 What role for non –state actors in the negotiations and implementation of the EPA’s J. Hoffmann Agricultural Trade Forum, Namibia Member of the SADC Civil Society Programme.

2. Why Participation? • The Namibian Agricultural Union has ben invited to this seminar. • The Agricultural Trade Forum is mandated by the NAU/NNFU to represent these agricultural umbrella bodies in all issues related to trade. • Thus the ATF was asked to represent the agricultural value chain at this importnat event.

3. THE AGRICULTURAL TRADE FORUM OF NAMIBIA • AGRICULTURE: Focussed on agricultura isues only • TRADE: representing the agricultural value chain of Namibia in all regional and international trade negotiations of Namibia in the SACU and as part of the SACU trade machine in the SADC, Mercosur, Efta, Tidca and India trade negotiations. • Also in SADC EPA – EC negotiations.

4. THE AGRICULTURAL TRADE FORUM OF NAMIBIA II • Forum: Representation of the whole agricultural value chain from producer Unions, the marketing boards, the processing and import and export industry. • FINANCING: By the private sector only, no Government or NGO or EC funding is used for the functions of the ATF. However, outside funding is sourced from different donors for consultancies that are relevant for the negotiation process.

5. HOW DO WE WORK? • Close cooperation with the relevant Namibian Ministries – Finance, Trade and Industry and Agriculture. Member of the official Namibian negotiation team. • Even closer cooperation with Namibian agricultural stake holders. • Regular workshops with all stakeholders on the different negotiation processes.

6. How do we work II • Bi monthly meetings to report back on the different trade issues open to all members and to civic society. • Representatives of the Government are invited and participate. • Quarterly Public Dialogue seminars on trade ( not only agriculture) topics. Attendance up to 80 participants – Diplomats, Government officials, the business sector, civic society, media – TV, the press and press agencies.

7. How do we work III • Information is very important. Especially through the National Farmers Union , representing about 200 000 small scale farmers all over Namibia. • Employing and training officials from the NNFU to visit all small scale farmers organisations. • Giving regular presentations to the umbrella bodies of the NAU, and the marketing Boards

8. How do we work IV • Regular contact with the Delegation – sometimes invited to the EU Ambassador’s meeting to make a presentation on agricultural trade issues. • Staff: 2 Trade advisors and one back stopper. • Important: Highly trained experts with good networking skills. • Stakeholders are prepared to finance the ATF – budget > 1,2 mill N$.

9. The Namibia Trade Forum • Government driven ( and financed) umbrella body for the whole Namibian private sector and civic society – ATF a founder member and one of the 6 directors of the NTF. • Challenges to the NTF and the ATF: To harmonise the different objectives not only in the agricultural sector but in the whole private sector of the Namibian private sector.

10. Closing Remarks • The initiative for creating an ATF came from the private sector. • By really being of use to its stakeholders, the ATF will be financed even in the economic crisis in a three year revolving budget. Thank you for your attention. The ATF Team.

11. The EPA and agricultural trade • What are the key issues: • DFQF market access for virtually all agricultural products with initialing ( signing of the IEPA. • What are the problems: • SPS and Eurogap issues. ( Globalgap) • Residues • Rules of Origin

12. The SADC - IEPA • Agricultural import issues of the EU are not insurmountable. • But other provisions in the SADC – IEPA made it difficult for Namibia to initial only with reservations. • The Namibia specific issues are the following: • No NTB’s inside the SACU or SADC – EPA • No new export taxes ( definition of export taxes)

13. The SADC IEPA II • Very stringent IIP provisions • No measures regarding food security are allowed • Very stringent dispute settlement provisions. • These were resolved at the last negotiation round between SADC – EPA and the EU Commission – Swakopmund March 2009. • But – can only be implemented in a full EPA.

14. The SADC IEPA III • Not resolved: • Definition of parties • The MFN clause ( although softened in Swakopmund, no agreement). • The IEPA was signed by BLS and M will sign end of June. Namibia did not sign, clearly indicating that the out standing issues be resolved.

15. Stand of Play SADC IEPA • DFQF market access for BLS and M is guaranteed by signature of IEPA. • Market access is regulated for South Africa through a separate FTA; the TDCA. • Angola as an LDC can trade under the EBA provisions. • Namibia is dependent on the goodwill declaration by the EC that it will not be removed from Annex 1 !

16. Summary: • Agriculture is at the heart of all Trade negotiations. • The danger for EU producers through exports from ACP member states is minimal. • However for many ACP member states especially for SADC –EPA member states export to EU markets is highly important: forward and backward linkages and developmental aspects.

17. Thank you • Although this overview may be specific to SADC – EPA, the principles are applicable to all ACP member states. The Agricultural Trade Forum of Namibia