Montreux, Switzerland (GenevaLunch) - “Currently, we can actually prove that by buying from Africa, buying from the developing world, you’re having less of an impact on the environment than by buying local,” Patricia Francis told the 10th World Export Development Forum Wednesday, Francis, executive director of the International Trade Centre in Geneva, argues that the plethora of terms used to talk about sustainability issues is confusing consumers. [video interview]

Francis is seeking feedback during the forum about a new tool the ITC is producing, called “buy for development.” It will allow producers to prove that buying from developing countries does not necessarily cause more damage to the environment than buying locally.

“We have to arm our clients – such as trade support institutions in developing countries - with that
information because right now they are being misrepresented in the market,” she said, pointing to popular movements in Europe to buy locally.

Her message about consumer confusion was echoed by Supachai Panitchpakdi, secretary-general of United Nations Centre for Trade and Development (UNCTAD), who called for an urgent rationalization of the confusing labels plastered on supermarket products. “Rules for food labelling should not be misleading and should only be implemented when necessary but there should also be no impediment to trade flows – the rules must be transparent and inclusive. This labelling should also not be able to be used to distort the market and create monopolization.

“Consumers need to know what is reliable.”

The ITC is a joint organization of the United Nations and the World Trade Organization.

Related story: “Africa to pay for Europe’s green policy,” The Guardian, IPP Media, East Africa, 23 August 2008

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