The UNECE 77th Session of the Working Party on Agricultural Quality Standards took place from November 14-16, 2022 at the Palais des Nations, Geneva, Switzerland. The meeting served as an opportunity to measure the progress of the Working Party and Specialized Sections, emphasizing the importance of UNECE standards in facilitating international trade in agricultural produce. Mr. Pino Calcagni, Chairman of the INC Sustainability, Scientific and Government Affairs Committee, provided updates on the INC Sustainability Agenda and the multi-country dissemination campaign, which has kicked off in China and will be launched in India next year. Mr. Calcagni also contributed to the roundtable on food loss & waste prevention and reduction, by highlighting the impacts of climate change and giving an overview of zero-waste actions in the nut and dried fruit industry.
The Working Party approved the following standards:
- Standard Layout for Standards on Dry and Dried Produce, ECE/CTCS/WP.7/2022/9
- Recommendations extended for Inshell Pecans and Pecan kernels (trial period extension for 1-year)
- Standard for raw and roasted inshell peanuts, ECE/CTCS/WP.7/2022/11
- Standard for raw and roasted peanut kernels, ECE/CTCS/WP.7/2022/12