1. At its 19th Session, the IGG agreed that at its next intersessional meeting, progress of its Working Groups (WGs) – in examining the issues they were assigned – would be considered. The intersessional meeting was held in Mombasa in July 2011 and agreed to the following recommendations: REPORT OF THE INTERSESSIONAL MEETING OF THE IGG/TEA MOMBASA, KENYA, 18-19 JULY 2011

2. Working Group on Tea Trade and Quality Work towards ensuring ISO 3720 minimum quality standards for black tea. A mandatory parameter for compliance be ISO 3720 as a minimum standard for black tea. Harmonization of the points of application and testing methods. Consumers to recognize ISO 3720 as a minimum quality standard. Recognize the difficulties encountered by producer countries to implement the ISO 3720 minimum quality standard and assist them to overcome the problems. Adopt the proposal on standards for green tea (ISO 11287).

3. WORKING GROUP ON TEA MAXIMUM RESIDUE LEVELS IN TEA Continue to generate pesticide residue data for fixation of MRLs in tea and make submissions to CODEX; Identify compounds for future field trials; Continue field trials on priority compounds; and to develop integrated pest management (IPM) for tea in the member countries. to work towards achieving the following: to develop and implement IPM strategies; to continue making MRL submissions in consuming/producing countries and to the JMPR; to develop a programme for replacement of old/banned compounds;

4. WORKING GROUP ON TEA MRLs (Cont’d) to develop priority list of pesticides; to give advance notice of changes in authorization affecting chemicals in use; and to develop an effective communication plan with stakeholders. To achieve the aforementioned, the WG agreed to identify a focal point from each member country to cooperate on the above activities.

5. WORKING GROUP ON RESIDUE IN TEA BREW To generate pesticide residue data for fixation of MRLs in tea brew for more compounds; The tea producing countries should take action to fix MRL based on tea brew; To address processing studies to refine the dietary risk assessment of tea which arose from the CCPR meeting in April 2011; and To revise and resubmit the policy document to JMPR.

6. World Tea Model Identify focal points Provide the Secretariat with individual country projections to improve the forecasting capability of the FAO World Tea Model.

7. PROPOSALS FOR THE FORMATION OF NEW WORKING GROUPS The intersessional meeting agreed in principle to the formation of two working groups; namely Working Group on Organic Tea; and Working Group on Climate Change. The scope and terms of reference will be presented to IGG for endorsement.

8. INTERACTIVE ELECTRONIC FORUM ON TEA (IEFT) Well received. “Private rooms” be set up for each Working Group. The IEFT be presented to the Group at its 20 th Session. Interested users are requested to provide their name and email address to the Secretariat.

9. THANK YOU