INTERNATIONAL FOOD POLICY RESEARCH INSTITUTE IFPRI Conducted by Charles Lee, Terry Tang, Dave Wu, Changhao Zhou Food Safety and Food Security

IFPRI Page 2 Why are Food Safety Regulations Needed? 1.$ billion per year in food trade$ billion per year in food trade  To increase export partners so as to increase case of exporting  To minimize financial loss caused by food-security related matters  To increase agricultural intensity  Biological contamination is a major cause of death in developing counties

IFPRI Page 3 Food Exports Otsuki, T, J. Wilson, and M. Sewadeh. 2001

IFPRI Page 4 Why is government intervention needed?  Incomplete markets for food safety  Imperfect information

IFPRI Page 5 Are There International Standards? - Yes WW TO Agreement on the Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (SPS) EEstablished January 1, 1995 FFinal decision: Uruguay Round of multilateral trade negotiations BBenefits

IFPRI Page 6 Benefits of SPS  Consumers are receiving food that is safe to eat  Avoid standards that lead to excessive trade restrictions  Set basic rules for food safety  Sovereignty in setting country-specific regulations  Regulations based on science  No unjustified or arbitrary discrimination to counties with similar conditions

IFPRI Page 7 Impediments to Food Safety Regulation in Developing Countries  Lack of food act  Lack of food control infrastructure  Lack of facilities to implement food control practice properly  Shortage of train staff  Lack of qualified judges

IFPRI Page 8 Why are Developing Countries Lagging Behind?  Limited financial and physical resources  Low purchasing power  Importance on political agenda  Lack of motivation  Low capacity  Fragmented food system

IFPRI Page 9  Underdeveloped post-harvest infrastructure  Inappropriate technology  Food service establishment are poorly maintained  Constant changes in Codex Alimentarius Why are Developing Countries Lagging Behind?

Things We Can Do 1.Appeal to the government concerned to take actions in inspecting food more effectively before they are put into the market. 2.To call on the concerned government to supervise food production process of the food factories. 3.As consumers,we should check the item carefully before we take it.