BACKGROUND
ASEAN cooperation in the
agriculture sector dated back as early as 1968, with cooperation in food
production and supply. In 1977, the scope of cooperation was broadened to
include the greater area of agriculture and forestry as the needs have
increased. At this moment, all the activities were coordinated by the Committee
on Food, Agriculture and Forestry (COFAF). However, together with the other
four economic committees, COFAF was dissolved and its task was transferred to
SEOM.
With the adoption of
the agreement on the ASEAN Free Trade Area (AFTA) in 1992, ASEAN cooperation
in food, agriculture and forestry were directed to facilitate the realization of
intra-ASEAN trade in unprocessed agricultural products.
MANDATE
AND POLICY FRAMEWORK
·
Ministerial
Understanding on ASEAN Cooperation in Food, Agriculture and Forestry, 1993
The Ministerial Understanding on
ASEAN Cooperation in Food, Agriculture and Forestry, signed by the Fifteenth
Meeting of the ASEAN Ministers on Agriculture and Forestry (AMAF) in Bandar Seri
Begawan on 28 October 1993, identified seven priority areas of cooperation, viz:
i. Strengthening food
security in the region;
ii. Facilitation and
promotion of intra- and extra-ASEAN trade in agriculture, fishery and forest
products;
iii. Technology
generation and transfer to increase productivity and develop agribusiness and
silvobusiness;
iv. Agricultural rural
community and human resources development;
v. Private sector
involvement and investment;
vi. Management and
conservation of natural resources for sustainable development; and
vii. Strengthening ASEAN
cooperation and joint approaches in addressing international and regional
issues.
·
Second ASEAN
Informal Summit, 15 December 1997
The Second Informal ASEAN
Summit, held on 15 December 1997 in Kuala Lumpur agreed that the ASEAN Vision
2020 Statement for the food, agriculture and forestry sector would be to
“enhance food security and international competitiveness of food, agriculture
and forest products to make ASEAN a leading producer of these products and to
promote the forestry sector as a model in forest management, conservation and
sustainable development”.
·
20th
AMAF Meeting, 17-18 September 1998, Hanoi
Taking into consideration this
conceptual framework of the HPA to implement the ASEAN Vision 2020, the 20th
AMAF Meeting, held on 17-18 September 1998 in Hanoi, adopted the Strategic Plan
of Action on ASEAN Cooperation in Food, Agriculture and Forestry for the period
of 1999-2004. The Strategic Plan of Action covers the overall cooperation in the
three major sectors i.e. food, agriculture and forestry, but would greater
emphasis on strengthening food security arrangements in the region, enhancing
the international competitiveness of food, agriculture and forest products and
strengthening ASEAN position in international fora.
STRATEGIC PLAN OF ACTION ON
ASEAN COOPERATION IN FOOD, AGRICULTURE AND FORESTRY
Objective
To formulate and implement
regional cooperation activities to enhance the international competitiveness of
ASEAN's food, agricultural and forestry products as well as further strengthen
the region's food security arrangement and joint positions in international fora.
Strategic Thrust
The Strategic Plan on ASEAN
cooperation in food and agriculture will adhere closely to the priority areas of
cooperation identified by the 1993 Ministerial Understanding on ASEAN
Cooperation in Food, Agriculture and Forestry, but with greater emphasis on
strengthening food security arrangements in the region, enhancing international
competitiveness of the food and agriculture sectors and strengthening ASEAN's
joint positions in international fora. The strategic thrusts are:
i. Strengthening of
Food Security Arrangements in the Region;
ii. Enhancement of
International Competitiveness of ASEAN Food and Agricultural
Products/Commodities;
iii. Enhancement of
ASEAN Cooperation and Joint Approaches on International and Regional Issues;
iv. Development and
Acceleration of Transfer and Adoption of New Technologies;
v. Enhancement of
Private Sector Involvement; and
vi. Management,
Sustainable Utilization and Conservation of Natural Resources.
As regional cooperation in
forestry has taken a new dimension in ASEAN, with the scope of cooperation
expanding to cover more aspects of the sector, the strategic thrusts for
cooperation in forestry will be more specific, while still keeping to the
general essence of the original priority areas. These will be:
i. Sustainable forestry
management;
ii. Strengthening ASEAN
cooperation and joint approaches in addressing international and regional
forestry issues;
iii. Promotion of intra-
and extra-ASEAN trade in forest products and private sector participation;
iv. Increasing
productivity and efficient utilization of forest products; and
v. Capacity building and
human resources development.
The initial Strategic Plan
covers the period of 1999 to 2004, so as to be consistent with the first phase
of the Plan of Action to implement the ASEAN Vision 2020.
Prior to the expiration of the
Strategic Plan of Action (SPA) on ASEAN Cooperation in Food, Agriculture and
Forestry (1999-2004) preparation was made for the formulation of the new SPA
(2005-2010). As part of the exercise all the ASEAN Sectoral Working Groups
conducted a review of their activities and evaluated their achievements over
the past five years .
To assist in the review, a
research project commissioned by the ASEAN Australia Development Cooperation
Programme (AADCP) – Regional Economic Policy Support Facility, entitled
“Background Paper for the Strategic Plan of Action on ASEAN Cooperation in Food,
Agriculture and Forestry (2005-2009)” was undertaken. This study alongside
consultations and meetings of ASEAN officials concluded that the overall ASEAN
Cooperation in Food, Agriculture and Forestry has made considerable progress in
accordance to the stated objectives. The review also concluded that the current
strategic trusts, as stated in the SPA (1999-2004), were still consistent and
relevant with the trends and issues for cooperation in the next 5-year period.
The SOM-AMAF, during its Special Meeting in August 2004 in Kuching, Malaysia
agreed that ASEAN cooperation in food, agriculture and forestry maintain the
current strategic thrusts and continue with the ongoing activities; while
several areas of importance, which had evolved and emerged throughout the past
years, would be incorporated as newly proposed activities for cooperation. All
ASEAN sectoral working groups were tasked to come up with detailed action
programmes for their respective areas.
The new
SPA for 2005-2010 was endorsed by the ASEAN Ministers on Agriculture and
Forestry in October 2004 in Yangon.
A. SECTOR : FOOD
A1. SUB-SECTOR:
FOOD SECURITY
STRATEGIC
THRUST1 : STRENGTHENING FOOD SECURITY ARRANGEMENTS
IN THE REGION
Action Programme 1:
Strengthening of ASEAN food
security statistical database and information to provide technical and
institutional assistance for initiative hitherto undertaken by the ASEAN Food
Security Reserve Board (AFSRB) and its secretariat to compile, manage and
disseminate statistical data and information on food and food security which
will pave the way for a more effective planning of food production and trade
within the region.
1.1 The AFSRB Secretariat
to explore opportunities to strengthen links with the database of other
organizations with ASEAN, such as AFSIS and agencies such as FAO and USDA to
complement their existing database
1.2
Member Countries
to make their national information readily available to the AFSRB Secretariat
1.3 Dissemination of data and
information on food and food security through various means of communication
such as websites, within and outside of ASEAN Member Countries.
Action Programme 2 :
Establishment of a Regional Food
Security Information System for ASEAN to allow Member Countries to effectively
forecast, plan and manage their food supplies and utilization for basic
commodities using up-to-date techniques as well as to provide information for
investors to undertake investments and/or joint ventures in food production in
conducive areas.
2.1 Collection
and periodic updating of information on: (2005-2010)
i.
supply and demand/utilization account for commodities such as
rice, corn, soybean and sugar;
ii. current production
prospects, based on crop monitoring and crop forecasting using improved and
up-to-date methods and techniques, e.g. remote sensing combined with
agro-meteorological observations;
iii.
international/regional trade, including prices, quantities traded, transport
costs, freight rates, transport capacities etc.; and
iv.
Member Countries' policies and eventual policy changes related to
areas affecting food security (e.g. agricultural production policies, trade
policies etc.).
2.2
Establishment and maintenance of food security related baseline
data for each Member Country and aggregated for the region and continuous
development of this database. (e.g. population, consumption, food requirements,
storage/transport infrastructure etc.) (2005-2010).
2.3
Establishment and maintenance of food security related baseline
data for each Member Country and aggregated for the region and continuous
development of this database. (e.g. population, consumption, food requirements,
storage/transport infrastructure etc.) (2005-2010).
Action Programme 3 :
Review of the Agreement on the
ASEAN Food Security Reserve to realize effective cross-supply arrangements of
food, especially rice, from food surplus countries, or other Member Countries,
to food-deficit countries during normal conditions and in times of emergency.
3.1
Review of the earmarked quantity for the ASEAN Emergency Rice
Reserve (AERR) to cater the development of the East Asia Emergency Rice Reserve
(EAERR). (AMAF+3)
3.1.1 The establishment of a
Pilot Project of the East Asia Emergency Rice Reserve to confirm mechanisms and
workability of the EAERR (2005-2010)
3.2
Establishment of Plans for renewing Food Reserve Arrangement from
the Surplus Member Country(ies) to the Deficit Member Country during normal as
well as in times of emergency and/or other justifiable conditions.
3.2.1 Establishment of a
guideline for the emergency rice reserve as operational activities to respond
to emergency situation with particular emphasis on strengthening household food
security (2005-2010)
Action Programme 4 :
Study on Long-term Supply and
Demand Prospects of Major Food Commodities such as rice, corn, soybean and
sugar in ASEAN
4.1
Study on supply and demand/utilization of rice, corn, soybean and
sugar
4.2
Review and analyze international/regional trade information,
including prices, quantities traded, transportation cost and capacities, etc
4.3
Review and analyze Member Countries' policies and eventual policy
changes related to areas affecting food security (e.g. agricultural production
policies, trade policies, etc.).
4.4 Assessment of
current ASEAN Member Countries' requirements and management of food products and
their government's coordinating efforts in the provision of food.
A2. SUB-SECTOR: FOOD HANDLING
(HALAL FOOD)
STRATEGIC THRUST 2:
ENHANCEMENT OF INTERNATIONAL COMPETITIVENESS OF ASEAN FOOD AND AGRICULTURAL
PRODUCTS/COMMODITIES
Action Programme 1 :
Enhancement of intra- and
extra-ASEAN trade and long-term competitiveness ASEAN's food and agricultural
products/ commodities.
1.1 Intensification of
cooperation in production and processing technology development and transfer and
enhancement of development, harmonization and adoption of quality standards for
products through:
1.1.1
Establishment of
ASEAN Scheme for Accreditation of Halal Food Establishment. (2005-2010)
1.1.2
Registration and
Compilation of Halal Food Additives. (2005)
1.1.3
Capacity Building
Programme of Halal Food Activities (2005-2010)
·
Training of Halal
Food Inspectors (Singapore).
·
Training of Halal
Food Auditors (Indonesia).
·
Training of
Laboratory Analyst (Thailand).
1.1.4
Exchange of Halal Food Information among ASEAN Member Countries (
(2005-2010)
·
Calendar of Events
of Halal Food Activities.
1.2
Implementation of
ASEAN guidelines on "halal" food for both intra- and extra-ASEAN trade.
B. SECTOR :
AGRICULTURE
B1. SUB-SECTOR: CROPS
STRATEGIC THRUST 2:
ENHANCEMENT OF INTERNATIONAL COMPETITIVENESS OF ASEAN FOOD AND AGRICULTURAL
PRODUCTS/ COMMODITIES
Action Programme 1 :
Enhancement of intra- and
extra-ASEAN trade and long-term competitiveness of ASEAN's food and agricultural
products /commodities.
1.1
Monitoring of the
Implementation of the CEPT Scheme for AFTA for crop products.
1.2
Intensification of
cooperation in production and processing technology development and transfer and
enhancement of development, harmonization and adoption of quality standards for
products through:
1.2.1 Harmonization of
phytosanitary measures for crop products.
i.
Compilation and comparative analysis of endemic
pest lists for selected crops. (2005-2010)
·
Dendrobium orchid
- cut flower (Singapore)
·
Citrus - fruit
(Brunei Darussalam)
·
Mango - fruit
(Indonesia)
New commodities:
·
Durian - fruit
(Indonesia)
·
Banana - fruit
(Malaysia)
ii.
Development of cross-border management procedures for rice and
potato (2005-2010)
1.2.2
Enhancement of
compliance to WTO/SPS requirements for market access and competitiveness
i.
Revision of quarantine/ endemic pest lists through
surveys according to ISPM standards. (2005-2010)
ii.
Rehabilitation/
development of biological collections and databases to underpin pest lists.
(2005-2010)
iii.
Capacity building
and ASEAN cooperation in pest diagnostics and identifications. (2005-2010)
iv.
Regional protocols
for pest surveys. (2005-2010)
1.2.3
Strengthening
national frameworks for Pest Risk Analysis (PRA).
i.
Capacity building in PRA. (2005-2010)
ii.
Development of
shared database of pest information and IRAs on exotic pest threats. (2005-2010)
1.2.4
Biosecurity
planning.
i.
Compilation of an ASEAN list of common exotic pest
threats and potential invasive alien species, including comprehensive biological
data and intervention strategies. (2005-2010)
ii.
ASEAN cooperation
in contingency planning incursion management and emergency response procedures.
(2005-2010)
1.2.5 Harmonization of
maximum residue limits (MRLs) of commonly used pesticides for vegetables that
are widely traded between ASEAN Member Countries. (2005-2010)
i.
Harmonization of MRLs for
identified pesticides.
ii.
Implementation and review of the
endorsed harmonized MRLs.
1.2.6
Establishment of ASEAN Genetically Modified Food (GMF) Testing
Network
(2005-2010)
i.
Technical cooperation and capacity building.
ii.
Information
sharing
1.2.7
ASEAN Standards
for Horticultural Produce. (2005-2010)
i.
Establishment of ASEAN Harmonized Standards for:
·
Mango,
·
Pineapple
·
Durian
·
Papaya
·
Pummelo
·
Rambutan and
·
Mandarin
1.3
ASEAN-Pesticide
Database Network (2005-2010)
1.3.1 Compilation of
information on the national pesticide regulations
1.3.2 Common system for
accessing database through electronic media
1.3.6
Establishment of
database on a range of aspects related to facilitation of control and management
of pesticides
1.3.7
Harmonization of
regulatory processes.
STRATEGIC THRUST
3: ENHANCEMENT OF ASEAN COOPERATION AND JOINT APPROACHES IN INTERNATIONAL
AND REGIONAL ISSUES
Action Programme 1 :
Strengthening Joint Positions in
Addressing Non-trade Issues at International Fora to Protect the Interest of
ASEAN Member Countries.
1.1 Coordinating
and strengthening joint positions on international and regional fora and
organizations such as WTO, FAO, APEC, Codex and ASEAN Dialogue Partners.
1.2 Pursuing common
positions on international commodity issues.
STRATEGIC THRUST 4 :
DEVELOPMENT, ACCELERATION OF TRANSFER AND ADOPTION OF NEW
TECHNOLOGIES
Action Programme 1 :
Conduct of collaborative
training and workshop to develop new/ improved technology in agricultural
production, postharvest and processing activities.
1.1
Identification of improved production/ post-harvest technologies available in
the region and elsewhere for possible adoption in ASEAN Member Countries.
1.1.1
AADCP Project on
Quality Assurance System for ASEAN Fruits and Vegetables (2004-2007)
1.1.2
Technology
Cooperation for Improvement of Efficiency in the Handling of Perishable Crops in
ASEAN Countries. (2005)
1.2
Establishment of
ASEAN –AVRDC Regional Network for Vegetable Research and Development.
(2005-2010)
1.2.1
Project on
Collection, Conservation and Evaluation of Indigenous Vegetables
1.2.2
Project on
Identification of Genes Involved in Abiotic and Biotic Stress Resistance among
Asian Leafy Vegetables;
1.2.3
Project on
Development of Post-harvest Technology for Major Vegetable Crops of ASEAN.
1.2.4
Project on the
Enhanced AARNET Linkage through Improved Vegetable Information Exchange;
1.2.5
Project on the
Collation of Information about Status of Seed Production.
B2. SUB-SECTOR: FISHERIES
STRATEGIC THRUST 1 :
STRENGTHENING OF FOOD SECURITY
ARRANGEMENTS IN THE
REGION
Action Programme 1 :
Study on Long-term Supply and
Demand Prospects of Major Food Commodities (fish and fisheries products) in
ASEAN Member Countries.
1.1 Pursue the
implementation of the ASEAN-SEAFDEC’s Resolution and Plan of Action on
Sustainable Fisheries Sustainable Fisheries for Food
Security for the ASEAN Region (2005-2010)
1.2
Identification of
the factors of production such as quality broodstock and other good production
practices.
1.2.1 Establishing
network in collaboration with various international organization such as NACA,
MRC, SEAFDEC in sharing information and assessment of fish stock. (2005-2010)
Action Programme 2 :
Promotion of rural fisheries
development.
2.1 Establish village-fish
ponds and school fish ponds in rural poor community in selected ASEAN countries.
STRATEGIC THRUST 2:
ENHANCEMENT OF INTERNATIONAL COMPETITIVENESS OF ASEAN FOOD AND
AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS/ COMMODITIES
Action Programme 1 :
Enhancement of intra- and
extra-ASEAN trade and long-term competitiveness of ASEAN's food and agricultural
products /commodities.
1.1 Monitoring of the
implementation of the CEPT Scheme for AFTA for fisheries products.
(2005-2010)
1.1.1
Updating of the
number of tariff lines of fisheries products that are in the Inclusion List
(IL), Temporary Exclusion List (TEL), General Exception (GE) and Sensitive List
of the CEPT Scheme.
1.1.2
Monitoring of
tariff reduction schedules of the fisheries products in the IL.
1.2 Intensification of
cooperation in production and processing technology development and transfer and
enhancement of development, harmonization and adoption of quality standards for
products.
1.2.1
Standardization of Quality control measures and processing techniques for fish
and fisheries products.
i) Implementation of
AADCP project on Quality Assurance and Safety of Fish and Fishery Products-
HACCP Approach (2004-2007)
1.2.2
Standardization and development of good aquaculture practices, particularly for
shrimps. (2005-2010)
i) Establishment of the
ASEAN Network on Cultured Shrimp Inspection Authority (2005)
ii) Assuring Quality and
Safety in Shrimp Aquaculture Production and Trade
1.3
Harmonization of fisheries SPS
measures among ASEAN Member Countries.(2005-2010)
1.3.1
Encourage and
educate the fishery stakeholders to enable production of fishery products
through a Code of Conduct measures issued by FAO to promote the development of
“Made in ASEAN” products and services. (2006)
1.3.2
Comply with Good
Aquaculture Practices (GAP) in order to produce a better quality of aquaculture
products that can compete in the international markets as an ASEAN Product
1.3.3
Adopt the WTO
Agreement on Sanitary and Phyto-Sanitary Measures and develop implementation
guidelines appropriate for ASEAN (2008)
1.3.4
Comply with
Hazards Analysis Critical Control Point standard unanimously among ASEAN
countries that have been approved by WHO and FAO
1.3.5
Establish MRA for
selected fisheries products. (on-going exercise)
1.4
Study to
Strengthen the Competitiveness of ASEAN Fisheries Products in International
Markets. (2005-2010)
1.4.1
Specification of
problems and constraints facing production of fisheries products in view of
competitiveness in international markets.
1.4.2
Formulation of
appropriate measures to integrate efforts of ASEAN Member Countries in a common
programme
STRATEGIC THRUST 3 :
ENHANCEMENT OF ASEAN COOPERATION AND
JOINT APPROACHES IN
INTERNATIONAL AND
REGIONAL ISSUES
Action Programme 1 :
Strengthening ASEAN's
cooperation and joint approaches in addressing issues and problems affecting
trade in the region's food and agricultural products/ commodities
1.1
Pursuing common
positions on international commodity issues.
Action Programme 2 :
Strengthening joint positions in
addressing non-trade issues at international for a to protect the interest of
ASEAN Member Countries.
2.1 Coordinating and
strengthening joint positions on international and regional fora and
organizations such as WTO, FAO, APEC, CODEX, and ASEAN Dialogue Partners.
STRATEGIC THRUST 5 :
ENHANCEMENT OF PRIVATE SECTOR INVOLVEMENT
Action Programme 1 :
Continuous consultation with the
private sector at all meetings of ASWGFi, particularly with regard to trade
issue in international and regional fora
1.1
Inviting private
sector to participate in meetings of ASWGFi, wherever relevant.
Action Programme 2 :
Promotion of private
sector investment in ASEAN
2.1 Inviting private sector
to participate in meetings of ASWGFi on business opportunities.
STRATEGIC THRUST 6 :
MANAGEMENT, SUSTAINABLE UTILIZATION AND
CONSERVATION OF
NATURAL RESOURCES
Action Programme 1 :
Strengthen information network
for the sharing of information, such as inventory of resources on fish/aquatic
species and genetic diversity.
1.1
ASEAN-SEAFDEC
collaboration on Improvement of Fisheries Statistic System and Mechanism
1.2
ASEAN-SEAFDEC
collaboration on Information Collection for Sustainable Pelegic Fisheries in
South China Sea
1.3 ASEAN-SEAFDEC
collaboration on Digital Atlas
1.4 ASEAN-SEAFDEC
collaboration on establishment of Disease Surveillance System of Aquatic Animals
Action Programme 2 :
Joint R&D efforts
in the areas of conservation, management and the utilization of biodiversity for
economic benefits.
2.1 ASEAN-SEAFDEC
collaboration on Management of Fisheries and utilization of Shark in Southeast
Asia
Action Programme 3 :
Promotion of sustainable
development through natural resources management.
3.1
ASEAN-SEAFDEC
Collaboration on Conservation and Management of Sea Turtles in Southeast Asian
Countries
3.2 ASEAN-SEAFDEC
Collaboration on Promotion of Mangrove-friendly Aquaculture in Southeast Asian
3.3 ASEAN-SEAFDEC
collaboration on Regionalization of the Code of Conduct for Responsible
Fisheries.
3.4 ASEAN-SEAFDEC
collaboration on Coastal Resource Management
Action Programme 4 :
Fish Trade and Environment
