D4.5 Summary Paper on the Role of Institutional Regulatory and Legal Frameworks with concrete suggestions for enhancing policy coherence

This summary paper is part of Deliverable 4.5 of the Horizon 2020 MATS (Making Agricultural Trade Sustainable) project, which examines the impact of institutional, regulatory, and legal frameworks on sustainable agricultural trade between the European Union (EU) and partner countries. The study synthesises findings from 15 case studies, focusing on how these frameworks influence trade dynamics, sustainability objectives, and policy coherence with global environmental and development goals. The research highlights significant variations in how institutional frameworks affect agricultural trade across different regions and sectors. Case studies from countries like Tanzania, Uganda, and Ethiopia illustrate the challenges small-scale producers face in meeting EU standards for food safety, environmental and social sustainability. The high compliance costs and limited capacity for monitoring and enforcement in developing countries create significant barriers to market access, reinforcing existing inequalities. One of the report's central themes is the role of the EU's Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) and its alignment with sustainability goals, particularly those set out in the European Green Deal. While the CAP promotes environmentally sustainable farming practices, the report identifies policy incoherencies, such as subsidies that encourage intensive farming, contradicting the EU's environmental objectives, impacting internal EU trade but also the EU’s trade with African countries. Furthermore, gaps in addressing intellectual property rights and innovation in agricultural trade frameworks are noted as areas requiring more attention to support fair competition and sustainable development. The paper underscores the need for better policy coherence between trade and environmental goals. Existing legal instruments, such as the General Food Law and the EU's Farm to Fork Strategy, have made strides in promoting sustainability. However, their uneven application across EU member states and partner countries poses challenges. Moreover, the limited enforcement of labour and human rights provisions in trade agreements weakens the effectiveness of EU policies in promoting social equity and sustainable development. Some recommendations include enhancing the alignment of EU policies with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), strengthening the legal frameworks governing agricultural trade, and improving coordination mechanisms among EU institutions, member states, and international partners. The report also advocates for greater support for capacity-building in developing countries to ensure that small-scale producers can benefit from trade relationships with the EU. The summary paper has focused on policy coherence with respect to the role of institutional, regulatory, and legal frameworks in promoting policy coherence, complementing the analysis of agreements and political initiatives that make up the core trade policy of the EU (D4.2.), and in conclusion calls for more integrated and coherent policy approaches to address the complex interplay between trade, sustainability, and development. By aligning its trade policies more closely with global environmental and social goals, the EU can enhance its role as a leader in promoting sustainable agricultural practices and fair trade globally.