Desmond A. Ali, Ph.D. - Caribbean Export Development Agency

Desmond A. Ali, Ph.D.Executive DirectorCaribbean Poultry Association

I have heard that people may becomedependent on us for food... To me, that wasgood news because before people can doanything, they have got to eat. And if youare looking for a way to get people to leanon you and be dependent on you, in termsof their cooperation with you, it seems tome that food dependence would be terrific.(US Senator Humphrey in 1957)

Senator John Block, USA Secretaryof Agriculture 1986: The push bysome developing countries tobecome more self-sufficient in foodmay be reminiscent of a by-goneera. These countries could savemoney by importing more of theirfood from the USA.

The Story of Gladstone Farms1999 – Formation of CPAMain Actor was Bruce Hanson,CEO2004 – Gladstone disappears

WTO Agreement of 1994•Rules-based disciplines•AOA, SPS & TBT•Are there two sets of rules:One for the developed countries?Another for the developing countries?

Norway, Agriculture & the WTO• For Budget 2013, Norway changed tariffstructure for meat & cheese imports fromspecific to ad valorem• Norway is part of the EEA with tradeliberalisation as a key objective• Yet Norway introduced new tariffs of 439%(5X current) on lamb and 2X on beef2013-03-07 Caribbean Poultry Association 6

Minister :NorwayNorwegian agriculture needs an import regimethat allows for sustainable domesticproductionAt 6 th WTO Trade Policy Review 9-11 Oct 2012, Norway’s Head ofDelegation:We note that the secretariat’s report portraysNorway as “extreme” when it comes toagriculture. We do, however, make noapologies for our agriculture policy2013-03-07 Caribbean Poultry Association 7

Two most heavily defendedagribusiness sectors in developedcountries:•Dairy•Poultry

Advantages of Poultry• Fast growing (38-42 days-genetic potential)• Excellent source of high quality protein• Neutral in respect of consumption taboos• Very versatile• Best feed conversion ratios in livestock (1.65to 2.15)• Lowest carbon footprint in livestock

The Caribbean Poultry Industry• Modern technologically-driven• The largest agribusiness in the region• Significant capital investments• Fully private, fully local• Large rural employment especially women• Outside Government, the biggest employer oftertiary-trained graduates

Caribbean peoples & poultry• We love poultry meats (32-42kg/capita/annum• Table egg consumption is small but increasing• We are in the invidious geographical locationbetween the two largest global poultryexporters namely Brazil & USA

Industry problems• Increasing imports even from non-approvedcountries• Incl. Haiti, we are the fifth largest exportmarket for USA-sourced dark poultry meats• Why are we seeing increasing imports?

The USA & Poultry• Preference is for white breast meat & wings• Dark meat is a residual product• Caribbean peoples love dark poultry meats

Can we export?• Yes, we can (capacity)• No, we cannot (SPS, TBT)• Advocacy• Our move to value-added products

Forms of Advocacy• Building the CPA as a reliable and trustedpartner• Public sector-private sector-academia linkages• Fundamental studies to support our positions• Development of Standards

Forms of Advocacy• HS Tariff Codes & descriptors• Assisting Caribbean States without productioncapacity to build modern poultry industries• Windows of opportunity in agreements

Major areas of CPA Advocacy• Update the regulatory framework• Update government infrastructure• State procurement policies• Make CAHFSA operational

Emphasis on intra-regional trade• Supply fast-food franchises in the region• Corn from Belize (10 containers per week,50,000 lb/container, already passed 12M lb)• Value-added products

2013-03-07 Caribbean Poultry Association 19

The Caribbean Poultry Industry• > 50 years in existence• Crucial source of Caribbean people’s nutrition• Important contributor to Caribbean socioeconomicdevelopment• We are here for the long haul

Like Sports last eveningTHE CARIBBEAN POULTRY INDUSTRY ISBUILT TO LAST