European health regulations and Brazil nuts: Implications for biodiversity conservation and sustainable rural livelihoods in the Amazon |
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| Authors: | Helen Newing Stuart Harrop |
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| Affiliation: | 1. Durrell Institute of Conservation Ecology (DICE), Dept of Anthropology , University of Kent , Canterbury, Kent, CT2 7NS, United Kingdom Phone: (44) 1227 827034 Fax: (44) 1227 827034 E-mail: H.S.Newing@ukc.ac.uk;2. Durrell Institute of Conservation Ecology (DICE), Dept of Anthropology , University of Kent , Canterbury, Kent, CT2 7NS, United Kingdom Phone: (44) 1227 827034 Fax: (44) 1227 827034 |
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| Abstract: | Abstract The Brazil nut industry comports with the principal objectives of European policy on development co‐operation (poverty reduction linked with environmental protection) and forest conservation (maintaining forest cover). However, European Regulation 1525–98 EC, which decreases acceptable levels of aflatoxins in Brazil nuts to 4 parts per billion, may cause a crash in the Brazil nut trade. Thus, European policies on food quality, development co‐operation and forest conservation are likely to operate a cross‐purposes. Brazil nut producer countries have questioned the legal basis of the Regulation in terms of scientific justification for the stricter limits on aflatoxin content and lack of conformity with international standards set by Codex Alimentarius. The EC has countered by invoking the precautionary principle. This article documents the debate in the context of the World Trade Organisation's Sanitary and Phytosanitary Agreement and discusses the implications for the relationship between agendas of trade, environment and sustainable development. |
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| Keywords: | Brazil nuts Codex Alimentarius World Trade Organization Sanitary and Phytosanitary Agreement European Community |
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