Agrifoodstandards.net Newsletter July 2007

Exploring ways to create opportunities and identify favourable outcomes for small-scale producers in developing countries to participate in international horticultural supply chains - in particular those in the UK. The rise of private standards and the current and changing public standards impacting the horticultural sector give strong concerns that the way these supply chains are managed - through standards and certification processes - are also a potential barrier to entry for smaller producers and enterprises. Over a three-year period, the project will work with food retailers, importers, standard-setting bodies, traders and producers towards ensuring that supply chain standards and other procurement practices do not discriminate against small-scale producers, with a focus on African export horticulture.