General Objectives :
The general objective of WP7 is to analyse the implications of NTMs in high-income markets and regions - including private standards as well as public regulations - for developing countries, in particular the least developed countries of Sub-Saharan Africa, through the analysis of specific case-studies.
Specific objectives:
- To analyse the restrictiveness of NTMs - with a specific focus on private standards - for developing country exports into high-standards markets such as the EU and the EU's main competing players (US, etc.). Specific research questions and issues include (a) the development of private standards, (b) the link between private and public standards, (c) the differential adoption of private standards, (d) the emergence of public programs to support private standards compliance, and (e) the consequences of all this for food businesses in developing countries.
- To analyse the development implications of NTMs - public as well as private standards - in terms of economic growth, income mobility and poverty reduction in developing countries. Specific research questions and issues include (a) the restructuring of developing countries' food supply chains in response to NTMs, (b) the consequences for efficiency in food production and trade in developing countries, and (c) the consequences in terms of inequality and overall poverty reduction.
Work Package leader / co-leader: Miet Maertens and John Humphrey