Energy Conference Considers Trade Issues	A recent conference among major players in the realm of energy has called on the global trading system to support the stability and fairness of energy trade. Gerald Doucet, Secretary General of the World Energy Congress, suggested that the WTO should "open a new chapter" of energy negotiations, looking in particular at new issues arising due to the need to significantly increase the use of clean and renewable energy. more
Farmers' Rights, Funding Discussed at Seed Treaty Meeting	A recent meeting on the preservation and exchange of agricultural seeds saw divisive discussions on farmers' rights and funding issues that underpin the implementation of a relatively new treaty on the topic. more
Brazil, Peru Discuss New Ideas on Environmental Goods Liberalisation	Negotiations on expedited liberalisation for environmental goods and services were front and centre at last week's meeting of the WTO Committee on Trade and Environment-special session (CTE-SS). more

In Brief

Study: Marine Shipping Highly Polluting Greenpeace: Palm Oil Expansion a Pending Climate Catastrophe EU, Switzerland Distant from Other Members in WTO-MEA Talks Tropical Timber Organisation Waiting for New Agreement to Enter Into Force

Events    &   Resources
Events	19 November, Geneva, Switzerland: STOCKHOLM CONVENTION POPRC-3. The third meeting of the Persistent Organic Pollutants Review Committee of the Stockholm Convention. Internet: http://www.pops.int
	More Events...
Resources	THE IMPLICATIONS OF PRIVATE-SECTOR STANDARDS FOR GOOD AGRICULTURAL PRACTICES EXPLORING OPTIONS TO FACILITATE MARKET ACCESS FOR DEVELOPING-COUNTRY EXPORTERS OF FRUIT AND VEGETABLES: EXPERIENCES OF ARGENTINA, BRAZIL AND COSTA RICA. By UNCTAD, November 2007. This publication analyses the developmental and market access impact of new, ever more stringent and complex private standards on food safety, health and environmental requirements (mostly set by large and globally acting supermarkets) on fresh fruit and vegetable exports from Central and South American countries. These private standards, although voluntary in legal nature, are often de facto mandatory for producers and exporters through the buying power of those setting and applying them. The wider use of these standards can help to increase efficiency of fruit and vegetable production, offer safer and healthier produce for consumers, improve occupational safety of producers, and facilitate access to lucrative export and domestic markets. Internet: http://www.unctad.org/trade_env/test1/publications/UNCTAD_DITC_TED_2007_2.pdf
	More Resources...
ISSN 1682-0843