Does harmonization reduce the impact of SPS measures on agricultural exports? An assessment from the Chilean fruit sector

Non-tariff measures (NTMs) are relevant to agricultural trade policies, especially since trade negotiations have significantly decreased tariffs. Countries impose Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (SPS), a technical NTM, to protect human, animal, and plant health by regulating specific food quality and safety aspects. This article aims to assess the impact of SPS measures imposed by Chile’s main trading partners on agricultural trade, specifically on the value of fruit exports. It also seeks to determine the effects of harmonizing technical regulations between Chile and its partners. We estimated a gravity equation as a negative binomial regression model with Chilean fruit exports to main destination markets from 2010 to 2019 as the dependent variable. Our results confirm a negative impact of foreign SPS measures on Chilean fruit exports. However, that impact is mitigated if Chile has a harmonized SPS measure. Thus, we can conclude that harmonization reduces the negative effects of foreign SPS measures on exports. Our results suggest that trade agreements, which often contain a chapter on SPS, positively contribute to SPS harmonization and mitigate SPS’s negative impacts on trade flows. Highlights: Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (SPS), aim to protect human, animal, and plant health by regulating specific food quality and safety aspects. The impact of SPS on trade flows has been largely analyzed with heterogeneous results depending, among others, on their characteristics, as the level of harmonization. Harmonization reduced the negative effects of SPS measures on Chilean fruit exports flows. Trade negotiations might positively contribute to SPS harmonization, especially whether agreements have an SPS chapter that encourages coordination.Non-tariff measures (NTMs) are relevant to agricultural trade policies, especially since trade negotiations have significantly decreased tariffs. Countries impose Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (SPS), a technical NTM, to protect human, animal, and plant health by regulating specific food quality and safety aspects. This article aims to assess the impact of SPS measures imposed by Chile’s main trading partners on agricultural trade, specifically on the value of fruit exports. It also seeks to determine the effects of harmonizing technical regulations between Chile and its partners. We estimated a gravity equation as a negative binomial regression model with Chilean fruit exports to main destination markets from 2010 to 2019 as the dependent variable. Our results confirm a negative impact of foreign SPS measures on Chilean fruit exports. However, that impact is mitigated if Chile has a harmonized SPS measure. Thus, we can conclude that harmonization reduces the negative effects of foreign SPS measures on exports. Our results suggest that trade agreements, which often contain a chapter on SPS, positively contribute to SPS harmonization and mitigate SPS’s negative impacts on trade flows. Highlights: Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (SPS), aim to protect human, animal, and plant health by regulating specific food quality and safety aspects. The impact of SPS on trade flows has been largely analyzed with heterogeneous results depending, among others, on their characteristics, as the level of harmonization. Harmonization reduced the negative effects of SPS measures on Chilean fruit exports flows. Trade negotiations might positively contribute to SPS harmonization, especially whether agreements have an SPS chapter that encourages coordination

Estudios de caso de rechazos en frontera de exportaciones alimentarias latinoamericanas por motivos relacionados con medidas técnicas no arancelarias

El presente trabajo tiene por objeto hacer un análisis de los rechazos en frontera de exportaciones latinoamericanas de alimentos por incumplimiento de requisitos técnicos. Para ello, se presentan tres estudios de caso con los que se trata de abarcar la diversidad regional: Chile, Costa Rica y República Dominicana. Para cada uno de ellos se analizaron las exportaciones agroalimentarias enviadas a Estados Unidos y la Unión Europea desde enero del 2002 hasta diciembre de 2013, en base a los rechazos y los motivos. Al respecto, se observa que el país con más casos de rechazo de exportaciones es República Dominicana, siendo el principal motivo la presencia de pesticidas, fallas en la manufactura del producto o porque éste estaba sucio/descompuesto. Para Costa Rica, los principales motivos de rechazo son presencia de pesticidas, fallas de manufactura y etiquetado no acorde a lo exigido en los mercados de destino. Mientras que para Chile los principales motivos son que los productos estaban sucios/descompuestos o con fallas en la manufactura. Considerando los resultados obtenidos, se concluye que Costa Rica y República Dominicana tienen mejoras que realizar principalmente en su etapa productiva, mientras que Chile en su etapa post productiva. Esta investigación supone una contribución al estudio del impacto de los requisitos técnicos en el comercio internacional, así como a la incipiente literatura sobre rechazos de exportaciones, la cual ha tenido un escaso desarrollo para América Latina

Estrategias de desarrollo rural con enfoque de género en Chile: el caso del programa “Formación y capacitación para mujeres campesinas”

La agricultura familiar campesina presenta limitaciones en sus capacidades productivas, las cuales se acentúan en el caso de las mujeres jefas de explotación, situación cada vez más frecuente en países de América Latina como Chile. En este contexto, el presente artículo tiene como objetivo analizar el caso específico del programa “Formación y capacitación para mujeres campesinas” del Instituto de Desarrollo Agropecuario de Chile, ejecutado en convenio con la Fundación para la Promoción y el Desarrollo de la Mujer. Lo anterior mediante la descripción de los principales elementos del programa, así como la caracterización de sus beneficiarias en un área específica. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.22518/16578953.53

Small-scale farmers’ attitudes and perceptions toward associations: an exploratory analysis at the central zone of Chile

ABSTRACT: Small-scale farmers are essential food suppliers, especially in developing countries, but they face many constraints that limit their productivity and returns. Associating with other farmers (for instance, through cooperatives) has been shown to be a strategy to mitigate these constraints; however, there are limitations in farmers’ participation and commitment to associations. This research explored small-scale farmers’ attitudes and perceptions of associations. This paper considered the district of Cauquenes, a rural area in central Chile. A total of 71 small-scale farmers were surveyed. The data were processed using descriptive, multivariate, and qualitative techniques. The results showed that the farmers had limited knowledge of and experience with associations. They also did not see participation in an association as necessary for improving their business outcomes. They were also reluctant to accept a possible loss in decision-making power or the possibility of being scammed or tricked. The factors underlying farmers’ attitudes toward associations were “Uncertainty of economic benefits” (23.3% of variance), “Technical-economic limitations perception” (15.2%), “Distrust” (10.8%), and “Individualism” (9.8%). These results suggested that policies are needed to improve farmers’ experience with and knowledge of associations, considering the cultural variables that affect distrust and focusing on existing uncertainties. The associative processes need to allow for progressive commitment, expedite tangible results, and provide continuous technical and motivational support

Mortality and pulmonary complications in patients undergoing surgery with perioperative SARS-CoV-2 infection: an international cohort study

Background: The impact of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) on postoperative recovery needs to be understood to inform clinical decision making during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. This study reports 30-day mortality and pulmonary complication rates in patients with perioperative SARS-CoV-2 infection. Methods: This international, multicentre, cohort study at 235 hospitals in 24 countries included all patients undergoing surgery who had SARS-CoV-2 infection confirmed within 7 days before or 30 days after surgery. The primary outcome measure was 30-day postoperative mortality and was assessed in all enrolled patients. The main secondary outcome measure was pulmonary complications, defined as pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome, or unexpected postoperative ventilation. Findings: This analysis includes 1128 patients who had surgery between Jan 1 and March 31, 2020, of whom 835 (74·0%) had emergency surgery and 280 (24·8%) had elective surgery. SARS-CoV-2 infection was confirmed preoperatively in 294 (26·1%) patients. 30-day mortality was 23·8% (268 of 1128). Pulmonary complications occurred in 577 (51·2%) of 1128 patients; 30-day mortality in these patients was 38·0% (219 of 577), accounting for 81·7% (219 of 268) of all deaths. In adjusted analyses, 30-day mortality was associated with male sex (odds ratio 1·75 [95% CI 1·28–2·40], p\textless0·0001), age 70 years or older versus younger than 70 years (2·30 [1·65–3·22], p\textless0·0001), American Society of Anesthesiologists grades 3–5 versus grades 1–2 (2·35 [1·57–3·53], p\textless0·0001), malignant versus benign or obstetric diagnosis (1·55 [1·01–2·39], p=0·046), emergency versus elective surgery (1·67 [1·06–2·63], p=0·026), and major versus minor surgery (1·52 [1·01–2·31], p=0·047). Interpretation: Postoperative pulmonary complications occur in half of patients with perioperative SARS-CoV-2 infection and are associated with high mortality. Thresholds for surgery during the COVID-19 pandemic should be higher than during normal practice, particularly in men aged 70 years and older. Consideration should be given for postponing non-urgent procedures and promoting non-operative treatment to delay or avoid the need for surgery. Funding: National Institute for Health Research (NIHR), Association of Coloproctology of Great Britain and Ireland, Bowel and Cancer Research, Bowel Disease Research Foundation, Association of Upper Gastrointestinal Surgeons, British Association of Surgical Oncology, British Gynaecological Cancer Society, European Society of Coloproctology, NIHR Academy, Sarcoma UK, Vascular Society for Great Britain and Ireland, and Yorkshire Cancer Research

Reducing the environmental impact of surgery on a global scale: systematic review and co-prioritization with healthcare workers in 132 countries

Abstract Background Healthcare cannot achieve net-zero carbon without addressing operating theatres. The aim of this study was to prioritize feasible interventions to reduce the environmental impact of operating theatres. Methods This study adopted a four-phase Delphi consensus co-prioritization methodology. In phase 1, a systematic review of published interventions and global consultation of perioperative healthcare professionals were used to longlist interventions. In phase 2, iterative thematic analysis consolidated comparable interventions into a shortlist. In phase 3, the shortlist was co-prioritized based on patient and clinician views on acceptability, feasibility, and safety. In phase 4, ranked lists of interventions were presented by their relevance to high-income countries and low–middle-income countries. Results In phase 1, 43 interventions were identified, which had low uptake in practice according to 3042 professionals globally. In phase 2, a shortlist of 15 intervention domains was generated. In phase 3, interventions were deemed acceptable for more than 90 per cent of patients except for reducing general anaesthesia (84 per cent) and re-sterilization of ‘single-use’ consumables (86 per cent). In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for high-income countries were: introducing recycling; reducing use of anaesthetic gases; and appropriate clinical waste processing. In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for low–middle-income countries were: introducing reusable surgical devices; reducing use of consumables; and reducing the use of general anaesthesia. Conclusion This is a step toward environmentally sustainable operating environments with actionable interventions applicable to both high– and low–middle–income countries

Incidencia de las políticas públicas en la evolución del sector agrícola-ecológico: el caso de Andalucía, España

El presente trabajo tiene por objeto analizar el papel de las políticas de apoyo a la agricultura ecológicaen el efectivo fomento sectorial, a partir del caso de la Comunidad Autónoma de Andalucía, España, lamás importante en superficie y número de operadores del país. Para ello se identifican en primer lugar lasprincipales políticas a escala regional, nacional y supranacional que han repercutido potencialmente enla oferta del sector. A continuación, se expone la evolución de las principales variables relacionadas conel mismo (superficie, productores, demanda, etc.). Basado en lo anterior, se concluye que es presumible laexistencia de una relación entre las ayudas a la producción ecológica y la evolución sectorial

Is it only suitable for a few? WTO member participation in Specific Trade Concerns and Disputes on SPS/TBT according to their income levels

The objective of this paper is to describe the divergences in the participation of WTO country members in Specific Trade Concerns and disputes in relation to sanitary, phytosanitary and technical measures (SPS/TBTs) according to their income level. For this, data was compiled and synthesized from the WTO I-TIP and Dispute Settlement Gateway databases for the period 1995-2012. This data was then grouped according to the development level of the member(s) involved, using the World Bank annual classification (high income country, upper-middle income country, lower-middle income country and low income country). The results obtained evidence that the participation of WTO members in the mechanisms considered has been very diverse, according to their economic level; with high income countries much more active than developing and least developed countries

Nutritional Regulation and International Trade in APEC Economies: The New Chilean Food Labeling Law

In many countries, economic growth has induced a general change in eating patterns, from high rates of malnutrition, to recurrent obesity problems and other health related issues in the population. Changes to nutritional labeling regulations that are aimed at providing more information to the consumer have been part of the strategy to fight obesity. Mandatory labeling schemes constitute a technical barrier to trade (hereinafter “TBT”), which must respect the principles of the WTO TBT Agreement. This article examines the new Chilean Food Labeling Law and the accompanying regulation in effect since 2016 which together form one of the earliest methods to mandate front-of-pack food labeling, while focusing on its compatibility with WTO law and its implications for other APEC economies. We present a review of the origin and content of the Chilean regulation and the discussion of the WTO TBT Committee, complemented with the analysis of related WTO jurisprudence and the response from the food industry