Many of these concern quality, environmental and social requirements, and have become known as sustainability standards. While they can sometimes act as a barrier to small-scale farmers seeking to sell their products in developed countries, such standards also offer considerable opportunities. The market for organic and fair trade goods, for example, is expanding much more rapidly than that of conventional food.

The panel, “Making sustainability standards work for pro-poor agricultural development and trade,” agreed that some standards were more favourable to small producers than others.

Panelists identified four main elements in strategies to help small producers manage sustainability standards. National programmes on good agricultural practices need to be clear and take into account a variety of issues and interests; the interests of small farmers should be considered in setting sustainability standards; efforts should be made to streamline and harmonize such standards; and mechanism should be found to minimize compliance and certification costs for small farmers.

The panel included ministers and senior officials from developed and developing countries.