INTERSESSIONAL MEETING OF THE INTERGOVERNMENTAL …



INTERSESSIONAL MEETING OF THE INTERGOVERNMENTAL GROUP ON TEA Washington, DC, USA, 17-18 September 2012FINAL REPORTINTRODUCTION At its 20th session in Colombo, Sri Lanka, on 30 January to 1?February 2012, the Intergovernmental Group (IGG) on Tea agreed to hold an intersessional meeting before its next regular session to consider progress achieved by its Working Groups (WGs) in examining the issues they were assigned. As a co-sponsor of the Fifth International Scientific Symposium on Tea and Health scheduled for 19 September 2012 in Washington, DC, an event which many delegates were expected to attend, the Secretariat suggested that the intersessional be held in conjunction with this event. The IGG agreed to this suggestion.The intersessional meeting was highly successful as 50 participants representing 10 countries attended. Following the opening, the seven Working Groups (WGs) broke out into groups to discuss issues pertinent to the WG and report their recommendations to the plenary session on 18 September. Some WGs met jointly with others. Apart from the WG on Futures Market, which the meeting decided to put on hold, the objectives assigned to each of the other WGs were met. These objectives were as follows: Working Group on Maximum Residue Levels (MRLs) ? Finalize the priority list of compounds in different countries and remove anomalies and duplication of work.Working Group on MRLS in Tea Brew ? Report on progress made with the Codex Committee on Pesticide Residue (CCPR) regarding the use of the tea brew as an alternative to measuring MRLs.? Consider the draft action plan outlined in the discussion document, define the framework of a policy document required for CODEX and agree on the strategy to include the tea brew in the dietary risk assessment for tea.Working Group Tea Trade and Quality ? Review the status of compliance of ISO 3720, as a minimum quality standard, in member countries.? Develop a strategy to promote minimum quality and safety assurance of ISO 3720 parameters to the governments of consumer countries as well as to the tea trade and consumers. Working Group on Organic Tea ? Develop and agree on technical requirements and certification process for organic tea production.? Report on progress made towards considering organic tea as low energy input for financial gain through carbon trading.Working Group on Climate Change ? Agree on the specification and modus operandi of the coordination and function of the WG on Climate Change so that it can meet the deadlines established at the 20th Session of the IGG on Tea.? Develop a plan of action.Working Group on Smallholders ? Agree on the Terms of Reference of the Working Group on Smallholders ? Develop a plan of action.The meeting was presented with a mock up of the new tea website that is currently under construction. The participants approved the work done so far, and they committed to assist the Secretariat to populate the new website.Reports of the individual WGs which were adopted by the plenary are compiled below.WORKING GROUP ON TEA MAXIMUM RESIDUE LEVELS IN TEAACTIONS AND RESOLUTIONSThe WG on MRLs agreed on the priority list of chemicals, as follows:Priority List of ChemicalsData AvailabilityAction RequiredInsecticidesAcetamipridLimitedField trialsBifenthrinYesNot requiredBuprofezin1/Submitted to EUChlorfenapyrYesNot requiredChlorfluazuronYesData submissionChlorpyrifosYesNot requiredChromafenozideLimitedField trialsClothianidinYesNot requiredCypermethrinYesNot required [US, Canada*]DimethoateLimitedField trialsEmamectine benzoateIn progressField trialsFenpropathrinYesNot requiredFenpyroximateYesNot requiredFipronilIn progressField trials, ** Env Concerns?FlubendiamideIn progressField trialsFlufenoxuronYesData submission1/ Members of the WG did not have information on whether sufficient field trial data were already available for this compound. Therefore, they are to provide the WG with this information. Data AvailabilityAction RequiredInsecticides (cont’d)HexythiazoxIn progressField trialsImidaclopridYesResidue definitionPermethrinLimitedField trialsPropargite YesNot requiredSpiromesifenYesNot requiredThiaclopridYesData submissionThiamethoxamYesNot requiredλ-CyhalothrinYesData submissionIndoxycarbIn progressField trialsDichorvos1/1/ Members of the WG did not have information on whether sufficient field trial data were already available for this compound. Therefore, they are to provide the WG with this information. Priority List of Chemicals (cont’d)Data AvailabilityAction RequiredAcaricideAbamectin1/AcequinocylIn progressField trialsChlofentezine1/DicofolYesData submittedEthionYesData submissionEtoxazoleYesNot requiredFenpyroximateIn progressField trialsHexythiazoxIn progressField trialsMilbemectinNoField trialsPermethrinLimitedField trialsPolysulphide sulphurExemptedNot requiredPropargiteYesNot requiredSpiromesifen YesNot required1/ Members of the WG did not have information on whether sufficient field trial data were already available for this compound. Therefore, they are to provide the WG with this information. Data AvailabilityAction RequiredHerbicides2,4-DLimitedField trials, **DiuronIn progressField trialsGlufosinate-ammoniumLimitedField trialsGlyphosateYesNot requiredMCPAYesNot requiredMetolachlor1/OxyfluorfenIn progressField trialsParaquatYesNot required1/ Members of the WG did not have information on whether sufficient field trial data were already available for this compound. Therefore, they are to provide the WG with this information. Data AvailabilityAction RequiredFungicidesAzoxystrobinyesNot requiredBitertanol yesData submissionChlorothalonil1/Copper hydroxideYesNot requiredCopper OxychlorideYesNot requiredCopper oxideYesNot requiredDifenoconazolLimitedField trialsHexaconazoleYesData submissionPropiconazoleYesData submissionPyroclostrobin1/TebuconazoleYesData submissionThiophanate-methylTo be doneField trialsTrifloxystrobinTo be doneField trials1/ Members of the WG did not have information on whether sufficient field trial data were already available for this compound. Therefore, they are to provide the WG with this information. OTHER DECISIONSA list and a timetable for those chemicals that are planned for submission to Codex would be distilled from the above table and would be provided to the IGG/Tea Secretariat for advance notice to Codex.The intent was to progress submissions through Codex with the view to achieve global harmonization of MRLs for tea.A paper detailing the correlation between field trial protocol and GLP supervised protocol was to be prepared. This paper would be used to persuade regulators who insist on GLP field trials to accept data generated using the IGG/Tea protocol.The communication plan was to be reviewed and comments were to be returned within two months. The Decision Tree was to be modified to remove the “accepted by secondary standards” box since it was felt that this was premature and currently too restrictive.WORKING GROUP ON MRLs in TEA BREWACTIONS AND RESOLUTIONS:The group agreed on the following action plans:To prepare a detailed methodology and policy document on how to approach the regulators following acceptance at the 44th session of the CCPR of the proposal to fix MRLs in tea based on risk assessment using the brew factor. This would act as a guidance document for fixing MRLs in tea and would be circulated to all members to assist them to approach national regulators including manufacturers. Target: three months.To organize a ring test on a few widely used pesticides among different tea producing and consuming countries within December 2013. The pesticides, test methods for tea and brew analysis to be followed and the participating laboratories would be decided in next six months. India, China, Sri Lanka, Kenya, UK, USA and Germany would participate in this ring test.WORKING GROUP ON TEA QUALITY AND STANDARD 3720ACTIONS AND RESOLUTIONS:Introduction of a self-regulating code of conduct for continuance compliance of ISO 3720 minimum quality standard Member Nations. India, Kenya, Sri Lanka have confirmed that a self-regulating code of conduct is already in place. Bangladesh, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda and Viet Nam have informed that implementation is on-going. A response is awaited from Burundi, China, Islamic Republic of Iran, Nepal and Nigeria, and Indonesia informed difficulties in conforming to the minimum standard at this stage.Collect existing literature on additional quality benefits delivered by tea conforming to ISO 3720 or higher and submission to the Chair of the Working Group. India has agreed to forward literature already available. Other Member Nations were requested to submit any related literature on or before 31 March 2013.Formulation of a road map to undertake further research on the connectivity of teas on ISO 3720 compliant and non-compliant to quality and food safety parameters as well as general health issues. In other words, establish a business model for higher safety levels.A closer synergy between the Working Group on Tea Trade and Quality and the International Standards Organization for a combined collation of information and data.The 19th session of the IGG on Tea held in New Delhi proposed a workshop for exchange of information on ISO 3720 compliant and non-compliant teas among producing and consuming countries. It was also proposed to invite ISO 3720 non-conforming countries, such as Argentina, Islamic Republic of Iran, Turkey, etc. to participate and share their problems. Sri Lanka as the present Chair of the IGG on Tea wishes to take this opportunity to propose to the Member Nations that Sri Lanka is agreeable to host the ITPF Ministerial Meeting during the second half of February 2013 (tentative) and the location to be determined since a counter proposal was made to have a neutral venue such as Brazil. Initiate a pragmatic programme to prevail upon the governments of consumer countries, tea trade and consumers of importing countries to demand tea complying with ISO 3720 parametres or above in view of better quality and safety. It is believed that a lot of research has already been done by consumer countries on tea consumption connected with human health benefits. If such research has been done utilizing teas compliant with ISO 3720 or above, such data could be availed as a starting point for this exercise.Identifying donor funding/technical assistance for countries requiring support in the implementation of ISO 3720 minimum quality standard.The Working Group recognizes the establishment of a minimum quality standard for green tea and the significant growth in the production and demand for green tea globally and therefore proposes to recommend the introduction of a self-regulating code of conduct conforming to ISO 11287 minimum quality standard for green tea manufacturing. Japan agreed to be Co-Chair of this Working Group, which was endorsed by the Members.The Group discussed the need for defining a uniformed global sustainability standard governing the tea value chain and proposed suggestions from Members for arriving at a consensus on this issue.WORKING GROUP ON ORGANIC TEAISSUES TO BE DEALT WITH BY THE WORKING GROUPGenerating market information and developing market strategies Technical requirementsCertification processes for tea productionCollecting and sharing information on production, package of practice, research and developmentConsidering organic tea as low energy input for financial gain through carbon tradingJoining the organic movement for sustainabilitySuggestions of the Working Group:Generating market information and developing market strategiesThe WG recognized that in the past, excellent market study reports were produced by the Secretariat of IGG on Tea. Given the difficulties in collecting market information from various countries, the WG felt that the Secretariat was well placed to generate market information required for formulating marketing strategies.The WG therefore recommended that the exercise be undertaken by the Secretariat in collaboration with the member countries.Technical requirementsThe WG recognized that under the overall supervision of the IGG on Tea, the technical requirements had been sufficiently codified under a project on organic tea funded by the Common Fund for Commodities: in China, Phase I (completed) and in India, Phase II (nearing completion). The WG therefore recommended that the outcome of the projects – particularly the package of practices recommended – be adopted by member countries if possible, with appropriate adjustments suiting the local conditions. Certification processes for tea productionThe WG recognized that several developed countries have put in place their own National Standards for organic agriculture.The WG recommended that the IGG on Tea Secretariat collate common features of such National Standards and that they be made available to organic tea producing counties to enable them to align their standards in order to gain equivalency in the importing countries.Collecting and sharing information on production, package of practice, research and developmentThe WG recognized the pioneering research and development work already undertaken by China and India under the CFC-funded organic tea project. The WG therefore recommended that this issue be jointly dealt with by the Tea Board of India (TBI) and the Tea Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (TRI CAAS).TBI was to collect and share information on production, package of practice and research and development relating to black organic tea.TRI CAAS was to collect and share information on production, package of practice and research and development relating to green organic tea.5 & 6. Considering organic tea as low energy input for financial gain through carbon trading and joining the organic movement for sustainabilityThe WG recognized that both technical and administrative aspects for gaining carbon credit were being studied by the TRI CAAS.The WG felt that quantification was important for possible carbon credit marketing. It was noted that two critical technical issues were being studied by the TRI CAAS:Carbon sequestration in organic tea soils and its quantification; andMitigation of greenhouse gases emission in organic tea fields compared to the conventional ones and its quantification.It has also been noted that TRI CAAS has taken up a project on “Tea safety and key standardization”, and that TRI CAAS might be requested to share the protocol of the on-going studies with the other tea research institutes for replicating the trials and quantification.The sustainability issues needed to be addressed fully before encouraging any one to join the organic movement for sustainability. WORKING GROUP ON CLIMATE CHANGEACTION PLAN1.Database DevelopmentSpatio-temporal dataBiophysical (meteorological, soil, crop, management etc.)Socio-economic (demographic, costs, income etc.)(Data quality check, bridging missing data gaps, fairly good resolution for both spatial and temporal data for bio-physical database)2.Impact Analysis –MethodologyTrend analysisMeteorological dataLong term trends and comparison with long term normalsFrequency of extreme eventsCrop data (production & quality)(Tea quality data on long term basis from the same area/cultivar– if available TF, TR to start with)Future scenarios developmentUsing appropriate model or consortium of models (preferably 1km grid)Long term future climate (For IPCC, A1B scenario)Immediate future weather Socio-Economic analysis(Potential partners FAO –e.g. for Global Agro-ecological zones)3.Work out interaction between Genotype (G) x Environment (E) x Management (M) which is the prime driver of productivityTest existing and emerging cultivars for future climate scenarios (in OTC to begin with)Use GIS to identify vulnerable regions and suitable areas4.Identify adaptation strategies/Agronomic practices – via developing decision support system frameworkCombine surface, satellite and simulation data (model outputs) – nowcasts/ forecast and future climate scenariosTimelines: Points 1-3 – report by the next IGG on Tea meetingReasonable progress on point No 4.WORKING GROUP ON SMALLHOLDERSACTIONS AND RESOLUTIONSCollect and collate information on smallholder profileTotal area under cultivation (Hectares)Area under smallholdingsEconomic sizeTotal number of tea factoriesNumber of factories handling smallholder leafTotal production in the country – Black and Green Tea ( Indicate separately)Percentage contribution by smallholders to the country’s production – Black and Green Tea separatelySize class distribution of smallholdings Below 0.4 Ha- Number of smallholders Extent (Ha)>0.4 <1 Ha- Number of smallholdersExtent (Ha)>1 Ha <5 Ha- Number of smallholdersExtent (Ha)> 5 Ha- Number of smallholdingsExtent (Ha)Availability of labour for harvesting (Migration of labour from tea growing areas)Any regulation governing the payment for green leaf to smallholdersCommunity based organizations for smallholders/ Smallholder societies / CooperativesMarketingWhat percentage of production is soldVia AuctionVia Direct SalesTechnology transfer and monitoring GAP/quality issues Government Interventions/Government regulationsAny subsidies /Assistance forLand development activitiesInputsAny otherSpecific issues (if any) confronting smallholdersTimeframe: Provide information to the Chair of this WG by 31 December 2012Action PlanAnalysis of data by originIdentify challenges and issues amongst smallholders, including enabling policies, capacity building, education, food security, land tenureArrange exchange/exposure visits amongst member countriesWG recommendations to be submitted by 31 March 2013Education and training of smallholdersWORKING GROUP ON FUTURES MARKETACTIONS AND RESOLUTIONSThe progress made since the group was set up at the 20th session on the FAO IGG in Colombo was reviewed and the inputs presented by the group chair, India were examined. The following concerns were noted that:Tea, being unique in its heterogeneity, perishability, quality variations and production patterns vis-à-vis any other commodity, would not lend itself to being traded as a commodity future. This was reinforced by the literature on the subject cited by the WG’s Chair and Coordinator.The introduction of index futures in tea, though theoretically feasible and perhaps desirable, posed several challenges, even assuming that a credible, reliable and transparent index could be identified and maintained.The evidence found by different researchers on the introduction of index futures in many other commodities upon their price level and variability was mixed and often divergent.The introduction of appropriate indexes and their maintenance also posed a problem. Auction price indexes were thought to be suitable proxies, but countries with a robust tea auction system often lacked developed capital markets, and countries with developed financial infrastructures either had no tea auction centre or had auction centres which were no longer representative of the true market dynamics in the country.A futures market in tea would result in its further commoditization whereas, in view of its heterogeneity, it might be able to be sold as a niche product rather than a commodity which would assist it to move up the value chain.Existing price stabilization mechanisms by way of forward contracts and private sales, already exist in different producing countries. Futures contract might destabilize these mechanisms.Hence the WG concluded that there may be more cons than pros in introducing tea futures and until adequate, consistent evidence was available to demonstrate that the introduction of index futures in a commodity was beneficial to its spot price behaviour in terms of level and variance, further steps on the development and introduction of tea futures be kept in abeyance.ConclusionTo revisit the issue when the situation demands in the medium term.NEW WEBSITE OF THE IGG ON TEAThe intersessional meeting approved the mock up of the new website that was presented by the Secretariat, and commitment was provided to assist the Secretariat to populate it. The website was still very much work-in-progress, and the Secretariat would present an update at the next regular session of the IGG on Tea.ANNEX ILIST OF PARTICIPANTSCanadaMs Louise RobergeTea Association of Canadalouise.roberge@tea.caChinaZongmao ChenProfessorTea Research InstituteChinese Academy of Agriculture SciencesHYPERLINK "mailto:chenzm@mail."chenzm@mail.Wenyan HanProfessorTea Research InstituteChinese Academy of Agricultural Scienceshanwy@mail.Zhi LinProfessorTea Research InstituteChinese Academy of Agricultural Scienceslinz@mail.Cai JunChina Chamber of CommerceCFNAchinatea_cfna@Qu XinyingChina Chamber of CommerceCFNAquxinying@.cnIndiaM.G.V.K. BhanuChairmanTea Board of Indiachairmanteaboard@A.K. BarooahTea Research Association of IndiaHYPERLINK "mailto:ak.b@"ak.b@R.M. BhagatR&D CoordinatorTea Research Association of IndiaHYPERLINK "mailto:rmbhagat@"rmbhagat@India (Cont’d)C.S. BediChairmanIndian Tea Associationcs.bedi@Mr Biswajit BeraTea Board of Indiabiswajittra@yahoo.co.inMr P.K. BezboruahManaging DirectorBokahola Tea Co. Ltd.and Addl. Vice-ChairmanTea Research Association of Indiabezboruah@Ashok Kumar BhargavaManaging Director APJ GroupAdl Vice-Chairman Indian Tea Assn.akbhargava@Gangan BoriahDirectorTea Board of IndiaHYPERLINK "mailto:boriah01@"boriah01@Ms Nandini DattaDeputy Director of Tea PromotionTea Board of IndiaNandini.teaboard@Damodar Prasad MaheshwariChairmanTea Research Assn of Indiadpm@P. MohankumarDirectorUPASI Tea Research Institute of IndiaHYPERLINK "mailto:drp.mohankumar@"drp.mohankumar@N. MuraleedharanDirectorTea Research Assn of IndiaHYPERLINK "mailto:tratjorh@"tratjorh@India (Cont’d)Joydeep PhukanSecretaryand Coordinator, FAO-IGG/Tea for IndiaTea Research Association of Indiajoyphukan@Arijit RahaAddl. SecretaryIndian Tea Associationita@IndonesiaRachmat BadruddinChairmanIndonesia Tea Boardindotea@.idJapanMr Takafumi KatsumataJapan New Business CouncilTsuchinokok812@yahoo.co.jpNaoyuki HashimotoMemberJapan Tea Exporters Assn.HYPERLINK "mailto:Japantea1953@yahoo.co.jp"Japantea1953@yahoo.co.jpKotaro TanimotoVice PresidentJapan Tea Exporters Assn.Japantea1953@yahoo.co.jpYumiko SerizawaSecretaryJapan Tea Exporters’ Assn.HYPERLINK "mailto:Japantea1953@yahoo.co.jp"Japantea1953@yahoo.co.jpKatsuyuki YoshidaNARO Institute of Vegetable and Tea Sciencenaro-cms@ml.affrc.go.jpKenyaMs Sicily KariukiManaging Director, Tea Board of Kenya and Vice-Chairperson of the IGG on TeaHYPERLINK "mailto:info@teaboard.or.ke"info@teaboard.or.keDavid KamauSoil ChemistTea Research Foundation of Kenyainfo@tearesearch.or.keKenya (Cont’d)John K. BoreHorticulturistTea Research Foundation of Kenyainfo@tearesearch.or.kePeter N. KibikuTea Board of KenyaHYPERLINK "mailto:pkibiku@teaboard.or.ke"pkibiku@teaboard.or.keSamuel Onyango OgolaEngineerTea Board of Kenyaogola@teaboard.or.keSri LankaH.E. Jaliya WickramasuriyaAmbassadorEmbassy of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka in the United States of AmericaMs Janaki KuruppuChairmanTea Board of Sri LankaandChairpersonIGG on Teajanakik@I. Sarath B. AbeysingheDirectorTea Research Institute of Sri LankaHYPERLINK "mailto:isarathb@yahoo.co.uk"isarathb@yahoo.co.ukMethmal AriyasenaDirectorDanduwangala Factory (Pvt) Ltdmethma@Hasitha de AlwisDirector, PromotionSri Lanka Tea Boardpromotion@Jayantha KeragalaChairmanCTTAHYPERLINK "mailto:jayantha@impratea.lk"jayantha@impratea.lkSri Lanka (Cont’d)Sudata MunasiongheChief Executive OfficerJohn Keely PLCsudath.jkl@Lalith ObeysekereChairmanCeylon Planters Associationlalithobey@Anil PereraChief Executive OfficerTea Smallholder Factories PLCanil.tsfl@Sarath SirisenaManaging DirectorLanka Commodity Brokerssaraths@lcbl-M.A. Wijeratnemadawalawije@yahoo.co.ukUnited Republic of TanzaniaMr Mathias Assenga BenedictTea Board of TanzaniaHYPERLINK "mailto:info@"info@Emmanuel F. SimbuaExecutive DirectorTea Research Institute of Tanzaniaesimbua@trit.or.tzUnited Republic of Tanzania (Cont’d)Mr Mustafa H. UmandeTanzania Smallholders Tea Development Agencymustafaumande@United KingdomMs Katie DonnellyTata Global BeveragesHYPERLINK "mailto:katie.donnelly@"katie.donnelly@United States of AmericaMr Joseph SimranyPresidentTea Association of the USAHYPERLINK "mailto:simrany@"simrany@Peter F. GoggiExecutive Vice PresidentTea Association of the USAHYPERLINK "mailto:Peter.goggi@"Peter.goggi@James Hayes-BohananProfessorBridgewater State UniversityJHAYESBOH@bridgew.eduAndrew ScottTea ExpertNestlé PTC OrbeAndrew.Scott@rdor. ................
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