Trade and Standards:A Commercial Perspective

Philip Turner

Fonterra

Economics Conference- Standards Session

The importance of standards

• Ensure the safe flow of food across borders

• Build and protect consumer confidence

BUT

• Growing in number and complexity

The Negative Costs of Standards

Expectations Reality

Example: Milk fat standards

• Important to test for milk fat adulteration

• But many tests do not align with global best practice

• Must focus on addressing non-harmonisation

• Inudstry role in sharing global best practice

What’s ahead?

• New pressures and expectations

• Standards focused on sustainability, nutrition and wellbeing

• Industry role in standard development

• Collaboration is critical

Opportunities

• Systems Recognition / Equivalence

• International standards based on sound science

• Role of the private sector in reform and development

• IDF as a vehicle to influence standard setting

Thank You