1. Economic Partnership Agreements with ACP countries – Perspective of DG SANCO
Information Seminar for EU outermost regions and overseas countries and territories June 2005
DG Health and Consumer Protection E W. M. Maier

2. The main components of EPA’s
Development of Trade Opportunities
Intra-Regional Trade Facilitation
Trade between Region and EU

3. More independence from world market
Regional Trade
More independence from world market
Diversification, broader product range
More value added products
Regional Product Standards
Regional markets
Regional economic growth

4. Trade between Region and EU
Compliance with International Standards
Informal Standards apply as well
Narrow product range
Consumer market
Vulnerable to market fluctuations
Market entry – cost of compliance
Strong competition

5. Possible regional standards
Animal Health
Foot and mouth disease
Plant Health
Measures adapted to endemic situation
Plant Protection
Product authorisation, GAPs
Informal Standards
Quality parameters

6. Elements for Standard Setting
Standard definition
Translation into national rules or equivalence agreements
Implementation – Institutional capacity
Monitoring and Enforcement
Certification
Mutual inspection and control
Dispute settlement

7. Prioritisation
Identification of priority products for Regional and International Trade
Involvement of Private Sector
Priority setting
Identification of needs
Capacity building and technical assistance
Stepwise harmonisation of standards

8. Documentation on the web
General Information, link to FVO:
Standing Committee for the Food Chain and Animal Health:
Lists of establishments:
Rapid Alert System Publications:
European Food Safety Authority: