Tunisia: increased cooperation in the agricultural sector
February 19, 2016
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Tunisia and the EU met in early February to discuss the state of their agricultural cooperation and from this derived a Tunisian request for support for the “upgrading” of this sector in order to improve the competitiveness of its products and diversify opportunities in Europe. This is what has emerged from the “operational conclusions”, published on 15 February 2016 by the European Delegation in Tunisia, which reflects the work of the 6th Agriculture and Fisheries subcommittee on 4 February in Brussels. There are also the ‘conclusions’ from the previous consultation conducted by Tunisia and the European Commission with local civil society in late 2015.
Tunisia presented the broad outlines of its national strategy and is expressing a particular request regarding ‘organic’ products and their standards, including on ‘triangular recognition’ which involves its trade both with the EU and the United States. It is also pushing for an ‘assessment of risks regarding health, climate and management of fish stocks. As far as the EU is concerned this support is possible but depends on the extent of the available means.’ Tunisia has also ‘found statistical discrepancies’ and is calling for this to be worked on together.