Thirty-First Session of PROVISIONAL AGENDA FOR THE THIRTY-FIRST SESSION

NOTE by the secretariat: Document numbers in square brackets have been reserved for papers not received by the secretariat at the time of the preparation of the agenda. They will either be distributed before the meeting in the original language only (if received until 6 weeks before the session) or at the session as informal papers (if received later). They will also be available on the homepage if sent in electronic format.

Proposed timetable

ANNOTATIONS

Item 1 Adoption of the agenda

Document for this session:                   TRADE/WP.7/GE.6/2001/1

According to the Commission's Rules of Procedure, the first item on the provisional agenda is the adoption of the agenda.

Item 2 Matters of interest arising since the thirteenth session

Document for this session:                   TRADE/WP.7/GE.6/2001/2

Document TRADE/WP.7/GE.6/2001/2 sums up the relevant outcome of the fourth session of the Committee for Trade, Industry and Enterprise Development and the fifty-sixth session of the Working Party on Standardization of Perishable Produce and Quality Development.

Item 3 Report of the Meeting of Rapporteurs on Standardization of Seed Potatoes

Document for this session:                   TRADE/WP.7/GE.6/2001/3

A meeting of rapporteurs took place in Moscow from 24-27 October 2000. The report of these meetings will be taken into account under several agenda items of this session.

Item 4 Review of the UN/ECE Standard for Seed Potatoes

Document for this session:                   TRADE/WP.7/2001/11/Add.20 (Text of the standard in force)

(a)       Review of Part II, Subpart E

Discussion at the last session:     see TRADE/WP.7/GE.6/2000/8 paras. 12-18

The text provisionally adopted at the last session was not included in the standard because there was no consensus on this question. The Secretariat has asked the legal counsel for advise and will report on any answers at the sessions.

(b)       Introduction of sub-divisions in the categories

Discussion at the last session:     see TRADE/WP.7/GE.6/2000/8 paras. 27-33

Document for this session:                   [TRADE/WP.7/GE.6/2001/4]

This question was discussed at the last session with the goal to introduce more flexibility into the standard. At the meeting of rapporteurs in Moscow it was mentioned that a harmonized subdivision of categories could lead to more transparency in the market. It is expected that Canada will submit a proposal at this session.

(c)       Integration of pre-basic TC into the annexes

Discussion at the last session:     see TRADE/WP.7/GE.6/2000/8 paras. 30-31

The question was raised at the last session by the delegation of the Russian Federation and an informal document was prepared. A new proposal is expected.

(d)       Discussion on areas of certification schemes that might benefit from further standardization

The Specialized Section may wish to identify areas of quality of seed potatoes which would benefit from further standardization (yield, varietal purity, classification, homogenity of the seed lot etc.) possibly in connection with the identification of the concerns of seed buyers.

Item 5 Routine procedures for sampling

Document for this session:                   [TRADE/WP.7/GE.6/2001/5 (France, Netherlands]

The rapporteurs from the Netherlands and France will present the finalised version of the Annex on sampling to the Specialized Section.

Item 6 Questionnaire on certification schemes

Discussion at the last session:     see TRADE/WP.7/GE.6/2000/8 paras. 41-43
Document for this session:                   TRADE/WP.7/GE.6/2001/6 (Secretariat)
                                                          TRADE/WP.7/GE.6/2001/6 (Secretariat)

At the meeting of rapporteurs it was agreed that the Secretatiat and the Chairman finalise the questionnaire. The documents contain the final questionnaire which has been sent out to countries. The Specialized Section will be informed about any preliminary results.

Item 7 Status of the revised UN/ECE Standard for Seed Potatoes, its promotion and future role

At the last meeting of the Specialized Section and at the meeting of rapporteurs in Moscow the role of the UN/ECE standard was discussed. It was decided to hold a coordination meeting with representatives of IPPC, EPPO and NAPPO to discuss the roles of the different organisations and a closer cooperation. The Chairman and the Secretariat will report any developments concerning this question.

Item 8 Implications of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) for the standard

Discussion at the last session:     see TRADE/WP.7/GE.6/2000/8 paras. 44-51

At the last session it was decided to discuss the implications of GMOs on the standard.

Item 9 Concerns of seed buyers

Discussion at the last session:     see TRADE/WP.7/GE.6/2000/8 paras. 39-40

Delegations may wish to report on concerns of seed buyers in their countries.

Item 10 Development of explanatory material concerning diseases and parasites

The Specialized Section is invited to discuss whether it would be useful to develop an internationally harmonized compendium for potato diseases and parasites.

Item 11 Matters of Interest related to the activities of the:

    -   European Union
    -   World Trade Organization
    -   European and Mediterranean Plant Protection Organization (EPPO)
    -   North American Plant Protection Organization (NAPPO)
    -   International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC)

These organizations have been invited to bring any matters of interest to the Meeting under this item.

Item 12 Preparation of the meetings of rapporteurs and the next session of the Specialized Section

(a) Date and place of the next meeting of rapporteurs and the Specialized Section

(b) Establishment of long and short term objectives

Item 13 Preparation of the 57th session of the Working Party on Standardization of Perishable Produce and Quality Development

Delegations are invited to mention any item that should be brought to the attention of the Working Party.

Item 14 Other business

Any other area of interest can be discussed under this agenda item.

Item 15 Election of officers

According to the Commission's Rules of Procedure and established practice, the Specialized Section is expected to elect a Chairman and two Vice-Chairmen. At its thirtieth session the group elected Mr. P.G. Bianchi(Italy) as its Chairman and Mr. U. Kimmel (Israel) and Mr. P. Miauton (Switzerland) as its Vice-Chairmen.

Item 16 Adoption of the report

The Working Party will adopt the report of its thirty-first session on the basis of a draft prepared by the secretariat.

NOTE BY THE SECRETARIAT: Contributions should be sent to the secretariat either on diskette or by mail to: Food Standards Officer UN/ECE Trade Division Palais des Nations Office 432 1211 Geneva 10 Tel: (41) 22 917 2450 Fax: (41) 22 917 0041 or by email to: agristandards@unece.org Meeting documentation will be available on our homepage: http://www.unece.org.unecedev.colo.iway.ch/trade/agr/welcome.htm