South Asia Watch on Trade, Economics & Environment (SAWTEE)

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Book Review

Food safety regulation concerns and trade: The developing country perspective

International food safety regulations are emerging as a source of friction between developed and developing countries. These regulations have acted as non-tariff barriers (NTBs) for exports from developing countries as developed countries have used them with a protectionist intent. In particular, agricultural exports from developing countries are the most affected.

These are some of the issues the book Food Safety Regulation Concerns and Trade: A Developing Country Perspective ? jointly edited by researchers Dr Rajesh Mehta and Dr J George, affiliated to Research and Information Systems for Developing Countries, New Delhi ? attempts to address.

For anyone examining the problems faced by developing countries with regard to market access in developed countries, the one that would prominently feature would be the NTBs arising in the pretext of food safety. There are concerns that developed countries misuse the flexibility available under the Agreement on the Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) Measures by imposing standards higher than international norms through stringent regulations on the basis of very detailed environmental risk assessments. The 10 chapters deal with various facets of food safety regulation and sanitation issues as well as some country specific case studies.

The relevance of this book lies not just in its overall content, but also in the manner the chapters have been structured. Though a large part of the book is viewed in the Indian context, it also addresses relevant issues of concern and interest to all developing countries.

The reader is first introduced to the key issues relating to food safety from a global and local perspective. The introductory chapter also provides an overview of the multilateral arrangements and India?s national policy framework relating to food safety regulations.

Several case studies provided in the book help to quench readers? thirst to learn of the implications of the food safety regulations on specific industries. For example, chapter 8 on ?Response of Poultry Sector to SPS Measures? would certainly be an issue of interest to not just the industry-related reader, but also to others who want to enhance their understanding of the ramifications of food-related regulations.

Though the book tries to simplify technical issues, the shortcoming is that the book does not go far enough in this regard. For instance, the complex formulae used in some of the chapters demand further explanation and clarification for a better understanding.

Altogether, 13 authors have jointly and individually contributed to this book. The editors have jointly authored the first and the last chapters. The book is indispensable not just for someone who is aware of the food safety issues, but also to the wider development community. Last but not the least, the book?s high standard is owed to its excellent editing.

(Mr Sharma, a Kathmandu-based freelancer, writes on trade and development issues)

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