A new European Union directive on the minimum residue levels (MRL) of pesticides on cocoa beans takes effect on September 1, 2008. Starting that date, cocoa beans that surpass that level will be rejected. Cocoa farmers who use pesticides (and that is the vast majority in the world) will have to learn how to apply the proper pesticides in the proper amounts, warned the International Cocoa Organization (ICCO) yesterday. (more…)
Posts Tagged ‘European Union’
New EU Directive on Pesticides
Friday, July 4th, 2008“Cioccolato Puro” in Court
Friday, June 27th, 2008Here’s another chapter in the label wars. In the U.S., we know all about industry power when it comes to food labels – GMO food is not labeled, country of origin is usually not on the label but dairies that don’t process milk from cows treated with rGBH have to put a disclaimer on their product telling the buyer that there is no difference between their milk and that from treated cows. The Europeans usually have been a bit more enlightened about labelling, at least when it comes to GMO and hormones. But they have their own label problems. (more…)
Nigeria and the EU
Thursday, January 24th, 2008Once upon a time, the European Union dealt with its former colonies (the so-called ACP [African Caribbean Pacific] countries) through the mechanism of the four Lomé Agreements. These provided for non-reciprocal trade relations. The ACP countries were given duty-free access to EU markets (with important exceptions), but they did not have to offer similar concessions to the EU goods. More importantly, through STABEX, the EU provided additional funds that helped ACP countries whose earnings from the exports of primary commodities (like cocoa) dropped due to price fluctuations. (more…)
