FOOD SAFETY CHALLENGES IN NIGERIA: CAN EPA BE THE ONE-BULLET SOLUTION?

There s the European Partnership Agreement EPA, that is on offer between the Eu and West African countries

Proponents believe that most of the issues of unfair agro-trade between Nigeria and the Eu and other countries can be solved if Nigeria is on board. They claim that some of the advantage3s include

·         Duty free – Quota free exports to the EU = making West Africa a hub for global trade and investments;

·         Stable regulatory framework for investors, reduced cost of doing business in West Africa and improved environment for Foreign and National Direct Investment;

·         Job creation, especially in value added products and services benefiting to free access to Europe and regional market;

·         Less imports dependence through the strengthening of value chains and manufacturing       opportunities;

·         Lower prices for West African consumers and industries;

·         Safeguards for West African agriculture and infant industries;

·         Simple and advantageous rules of origin (necessary to enjoy preferential treatment);

·         Trade Facilitation and Co-operation in customs procedures, standards, sanitary and     phyto-sanitary requirements;

·         Co-ordination on major trade-related policies (competition, public contracts,     investments, telecoms and services);

·         An EPA Development programme (PAPED) focused on regional integration, trade             infrastructure and competitiveness for which the EU has already committed €6.5 billion.

For more details, please visit the source

https://eeas.europa.eu/delegations/nigeria_en/1621/Nigeria%20and%20the%20EU