INC highlights climate and pest challenges impacting nut quality at UNECE session
The INC participated in the 79th Session of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) Working Party on Agricultural Quality Standards, in Geneva, Switzerland, from November 11-12.
UNECE’s work in establishing international agricultural quality standards is fundamental for global food trade, as these standards not only foster economic development and consumer protection but also create a common framework for international commerce, reducing trade barriers. The INC continues to support UNECE’s efforts in reviewing these standards and is contributing to the creation of the UNECE Code of Good Practice for reducing food loss along the nut and dried fruit value chain.
During the meeting, the INC representative Irene Gironès, Manager, Technical Projects, raised concerns about the impact of climate change and pest infestations on nut quality, specifically the cimiciato affecting hazelnuts and extreme heat causing burnt kernels in walnut crops. The INC emphasized the need to establish tolerance levels for cimiciato damage and called for collaboration among stakeholders to address the challenges faced by producers in the field, particularly in managing pests effectively while maintaining quality standards. Equally concerning are the indicative limits for Alternaria toxins established by the European Commission, which require urgent research to determine if they pose a food safety or quality issue before limits are set.
The Working Party approved several revised standards and explanatory materials submitted by the Specialized Section on Dry and Dried Produce, including:
Revised standard for almond kernels (the diameter for “chipped and scratched” will be adjusted to 7 mm)
Revised standard for blanched almond kernels
Revised standard for inshell almonds
Revised standard for dates
Explanatory material for almond kernels
Explanatory material for cashew kernels
The revised standard for inshell walnuts was deferred to the next meeting of the Specialized Section.
All meeting documents are available online at https://unece.org/info/events/event/385998