scholarly journals Drawing the line between sustainable and unsustainable fish: product differentiation that supports sustainable development through trade measures

2021 ◽  
Vol 33 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Urs Baumgartner ◽  
Elisabeth Bürgi Bonanomi
Keyword(s):  
Product Differentiation ◽  
Active Role ◽  
State Intervention ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Fish Products ◽  
Trade Relations ◽  
Sustainable Products ◽  
Fish Product ◽  
Private Actors ◽  
Trade Measures

Abstract Background Unsustainable production practices and increased demand for fish have aggravated negative social, ecological, and environmental impacts in fisheries and aquaculture. Measures to correct bad practices have mainly been introduced by private actors. However, there is increased demand for state intervention, particularly regarding trade regulations for fish and other agricultural products. Building on discussions about product differentiation through trade measures that favour sustainable products, this study looked at how sustainable and unsustainable fish has been distinguished in Switzerland. In interviewing experts in the fish trade and sales business in Switzerland, the research aimed at understanding the actors and forces that shape the concept of sustainable fish in the country. Results Three ways of product differentiation for sustainable fish by private actors were identified in Switzerland: ecolabels, “Swiss produce”, and recommendations in the form of a “consumer guide for fish”. Currently, price is the main constraint on consumption of sustainable products in the country. Defining “sustainable fish” is challenging and subject to interpretation. All existing measures to differentiate sustainable from unsustainable fish products in Switzerland have shortcomings, particularly in terms of discrimination and inclusiveness. Fish ecolabels play a key role in product differentiation, but experts believe that they fail to accommodate all aspects of sustainability. Conclusion Our findings imply that the Swiss state should play a more important role if it aims to fulfil the promise of article 104a of the Swiss Constitution, which seeks to foster sustainable production and cross-border trade relations that contribute towards this goal. Preferred trade treatment for sustainable fish products is a potential option to increase the production and consumption of sustainable fish. When designing measures for product differentiation, a careful choice is paramount to address sustainability in a holistic, inclusive, and transparent way and in order not to violate existing trade obligations. Due to similarities between the Swiss and other fish markets, we assume that governments in general and members of the European Union in particular must play an active role in shaping the definition and trade of sustainable fish products if they seek to comply with their sustainability commitments.

scholarly journals Drawing the line between sustainable and unsustainable fish: Product differentiation that supports sustainable development through trade measures

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Urs Baumgartner ◽  
Elisabeth Bürgi Bonanomi
Keyword(s):  
Product Differentiation ◽  
Active Role ◽  
State Intervention ◽  
Fish Products ◽  
Trade Relations ◽  
Sustainable Products ◽  
Production And Consumption ◽  
Fish Product ◽  
Private Actors ◽  
Trade Measures

Abstract Background Unsustainable production practices and increased demand for fish have aggravated negative social, ecological, and environmental impacts in fisheries and aquaculture. Measures to correct bad practices have mainly been introduced by private actors. However, there is increased demand for state intervention, particularly regarding trade regulations concerning fish and other agricultural products. Building on discussions regarding product differentiation through trade measures that favor sustainable products, this study looked at how sustainable and unsustainable fish has been distinguished in Switzerland. In interviewing experts in the fish trade and sales business in Switzerland, the research aimed at understanding the actors and forces that shape the concept of sustainable fish in the country. Results Three ways of product differentiation for sustainable fish by private actors were identified: ecolabels, “Swiss produce,” and recommendations in the form of a “consumer guide for fish”. Consumption of sustainable products is currently constrained mainly due to price. Defining “sustainable fish” is challenging and subject to interpretation. All existing measures to differentiate sustainable from unsustainable fish products in Switzerland have shortcomings, particularly in terms of discrimination and inclusiveness. Fish ecolabels play a key role in product differentiation, but experts believe that they fail to accomodate all aspects of sustainability. Conclusion Our findings imply that the Swiss state should play a more important role if it targets to fulfill the promise of article 104a of the Swiss Constitution, which seeks to foster sustainable production and cross-border trade relations that contribute toward this goal. Due to similarities between the Swiss and other European fish markets, we assume that governments in general must have an active role in shaping the definition and trade of sustainable fish products. Preferred trade treatment for sustainable fish products is a potential option to increase the production and consumption of sustainable fish. When designing measures for product differentiation, a careful choice is paramount so as not to violate existing trade obligations.

An Ever Further Apart Union? National and European Attachments in the European Union

2006 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tracey Raney
Keyword(s):  
European Union ◽  
Identity Formation ◽  
Identity Construction ◽  
Political Institutions ◽  
Active Role ◽  
The Political ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Political Identities ◽  
Political Identification ◽  
The Eu

This paper is about the ways that citizens perceive their place in the political world around them, through their political identities. Using a combination of comparative and quantitative methodologies, the study traces the pattern of citizens’ political identifications in the European Union and Canada between 1981 and 2003 and explains the mechanisms that shape these political identifications. The results of the paper show that in the EU and Canada identity formation is a process that involves the participation of both individuals and political institutions yet between the two, individuals play a greater role in identity construction than do political institutions. The paper argues that the main agents of political identification in the EU and Canada are citizens themselves: individuals choose their own political identifications, rather than acquiring identities that are pre-determined by historical or cultural precedence. The paper makes the case that this phenomenon is characteristic of a rise of ‘civic’ identities in the EU and Canada. In the European Union, this overarching ‘civic’ identity is in its infancy compared to Canada, yet, both reveal a new form of political identification when compared to the historical and enduring forms of cultural identities firmly entrenched in Europe. The rise of civic identities in both the EU and Canada is attributed to the active role that citizens play in their own identity constructions as they base their identifications on rational assessments of how well political institutions function, and whether their memberships in the community will benefit them, rather than on emotional factors rooted in religion or race. In the absence of strongly held emotional identifications, in the EU and Canada political institutions play a passive role in identity construction by making the community appear more entitative to its citizens. These findings offer new theoretical scope to the concept of civic communities and the political identities that underpin them. The most important finding presented in the paper is that although civic communities and identities are manufactured by institutions and political elites (politicians and bureaucrats), they require thinking citizens, not feeling ones, to be sustained.   Full text available at: https://doi.org/10.22215/rera.v2i4.179

The Law & Politics of Brexit: Volume II

2020 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
European Union ◽  
Legal Framework ◽  
Comprehensive Analysis ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Trade Relations ◽  
The United Kingdom ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Financial Settlement ◽  
The Eu

This book provides the first comprehensive analysis of the withdrawal agreement concluded between the United Kingdom and the European Union to create the legal framework for Brexit. Building on a prior volume, it overviews the process of Brexit negotiations that took place between the UK and the EU from 2017 to 2019. It also examines the key provisions of the Brexit deal, including the protection of citizens’ rights, the Irish border, and the financial settlement. Moreover, the book assesses the governance provisions on transition, decision-making and adjudication, and the prospects for future EU–UK trade relations. Finally, it reflects on the longer-term challenges that the implementation of the 2016 Brexit referendum poses for the UK territorial system, for British–Irish relations, as well as for the future of the EU beyond Brexit.

scholarly journals States, firms, and security: How private actors implement sanctions, lessons learned from the Netherlands

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-20
Author(s):  
Francesco Giumelli ◽  
Michal Onderco
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
European Union ◽  
United Nations ◽  
The United States ◽  
United Nations Security Council ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Public Authorities ◽  
For Profit ◽  
The United Nations ◽  
Private Actors

Abstract While the current practice of the United Nations Security Council, the European Union, and the United States leans towards imposing only targeted sanctions in most of the cases, private actors often complain about inability to process financial transactions, ship goods, or deliver services in countries where sanctions targets are located. The impact of sanctions often ends up being widespread and indiscriminate because sanctions are implemented by for-profit actors. This article investigates how for-profit actors relate to the imposition of sanctions, how they reflect them in their decisions, and how they interact with the public authorities. The findings of our research show that for-profit actors, with the possible exception of the largest multinationals, do not engage with public authorities before the imposition of sanctions. The behaviour of for-profit actors in the implementation phase is in line with the assumption of firms and business as profit-maximisers. Weighting the profits from business against the costs of (non-)compliance and make the decisions that in their view maximise their profit. Indeed, de-risking seems to be the most common approach by the companies due to the uncertainties produced by the multiple and overlapping sanctions regimes imposed by the United Nations, the European Union, and the United States.

scholarly journals Opening a Path towards Sustainable Corporate Behaviour: Public Participation in Criminal Environmental Proceedings

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (14) ◽  
pp. 7886
Author(s):  
Pavel Kotlán ◽  
Alena Kozlová ◽  
Zuzana Machová
Keyword(s):  
Public Participation ◽  
Criminal Liability ◽  
Active Role ◽  
Legal Framework ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Criminal Proceedings ◽  
Human Rights Protection ◽  
The Public ◽  
Governmental Organizations ◽  
Non Governmental Organizations

Establishing criminal liability for environmental offences remains daunting, particularly with regard to the ‘no plaintiff—no judge’ element as a result of which the public seems to be ultimately deprived of the possibility to participate in criminal environmental proceedings. While there is arguably a lack of specific instruments at the European Union (EU) level which would prescribe such legal obligation on the part of the State, there has been a shift in understanding the role of the public and its participation in criminal liability cases, namely under the auspices of the so-called effective investigation and the concept of rights of victims in general. Using the example of the Czech Republic as a point of reference, this article aims to assess the relevant legal developments at both EU and Czech levels to illustrate why the non-governmental organizations (NGOs), essentially acting as public agents, should be granted an active role in environmental criminal proceedings. After examining the applicable legal framework and case law development, the article concludes that effective investigation indeed stands as a valid legal basis for human rights protection which incorporates an entitlement to public participation. Despite that, this pro-active shift is far from being applied in practice, implying that the legislation remains silent where it should be the loudest, and causing unsustainable behaviour of companies.

scholarly journals Peningkatan Mutu dan Pendapatan Pengolah Ikan Cakalang Asap di Desa Pontoh, Kecamatan Wori, Kabupaten Minahasa Utara, Provinsi Sulawesi Utara

2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 8
Author(s):  
Engel Pandey ◽  
Jenki Pongoh
Keyword(s):  
Market Demand ◽  
Fishing Community ◽  
Fish Products ◽  
Smoked Fish ◽  
North Sulawesi ◽  
Sanitation And Hygiene ◽  
Poor Families ◽  
Good Manufacturing Practices ◽  
Fish Product

A low level of sanitation and hygiene applied by smoked fish processors in North Sulawesi can affect the quality and safety of the product itself. Interestingly, there is a huge market demand of smoked fish product in North Sulawesi. That is why  it is necessary to improve quality of smoked fish product by assisting the smoked fish processors. The program's target partners are located in Pontoh Village, Wori District, North Minahasa Regency which is geographically located on the coast Pontoh Village is categorized as a fishing community, which is about 50% classified as poor families and has a small business group of processing smoked fish. The aim of this program is to increase production, marketing and finance for small entrepreneurs in Pontoh Village, Wori District, North Minahasa Regency so they can be skilled and economically independent. The specific target of this activity is to produce smoked fish products that are superior in terms of taste and shelf life while providing business continuity and strong management. The method of implementation that will be applied to this program are 1) Training on how to produced smoked-fish product using good manufacturing practices  2) Assiting about sanitation and hygiene in every step of producing smoked fish; 3) Advising on management

scholarly journals The exports from the western Balkans countries to the EU: The main problems and recommendations

2006 ◽  
Vol 51 (168) ◽  
pp. 49-72 ◽  
Author(s):  
Besim Culahovic
Keyword(s):  
European Union ◽  
Market Access ◽  
Supply Side ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Western Balkans ◽  
Serbia And Montenegro ◽  
Integration Strategy ◽  
The Republic ◽  
Trade Measures ◽  
The Eu

The European Union (EU) trade policy towards Western Balkan's countries (Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Croatia, Serbia and Montenegro and the Republic of Macedonia) is one of the important tools of EU's integration strategy. The exports from the Western Balkan?s countries to the European Union(15) are preferred within special autonomous trade measures for the Western Balkan?s countries which were introduced by the EU in September 2000 (the 2000TM). The 2000TM are a far-ranging set of preferences which provide the Western Balkan?s countries with unparalleled market access to the EU, and hence with the potential both to develop the existing exports and to generate new exports. However, the Western Balkan?s countries exports to the EU are far below the level which could reasonably be expected. In all Western Balkan?s countries a number of supply-side and domestic policy reasons are identified for this under-performance, which suggests that the 2000TM are likely in part to rectify the situation. The economic regeneration of the Western Balkan?s countries will depend on the success of internal economic reform and on the adoption of economic and trade policies which specifically identify and address some serious supply-side constraints.

scholarly journals BREXIT IMPLICATIONS FOR AGRI-FOOD TRADE BETWEEN POLAND AND THE UK

2019 ◽  
Vol XXI (4) ◽  
pp. 589-599
Author(s):  
Aldona Zawojska
Keyword(s):  
Lower Cost ◽  
Trade Agreement ◽  
Food Products ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Trade Relations ◽  
Doing Business ◽  
Central Statistical ◽  
Central Statistical Office ◽  
The Uk ◽  
The Eu

The article is a contribution to the discussion on the anticipated consequences of the United Kingdom’s withdrawal from the European Union for Poland’s trade relations with this country, with particular emphasis on the likely impacts of a hard or no-deal Brexit on Polish exporters. Its aim is to provide readers with an understanding of how agri-food flows between Poland and the UK (especially Poland’s exports) could be affected once the UK departs the EU. The question is important considering that, in recent years, the UK has been the second biggest importer and a net importer of agricultural and food products from Poland. The study is based on trade data from the UN Comtrade Database and Poland’s Central Statistical Office, and on tariff data from the UK’s Department for International Trade. Taking into account the possible imposition of customs duties announced thus far by the British government on the import of agri-food products from third countries in the event of a no-trade agreement with the EU, the introduction of additional non-tariff barriers, as well as increased transactional (friction) costs and complexity of doing business with foreign partners, a hard Brexit would have serious implications for Poland’s fast growing agri-food exports to the UK. It would even lead to a collapse of some Polish supplies, particularly of meat and dairy commodities, to Great Britain. The loss of two-way preferences in trade now arising from participation in the EU single market will undermine the competitiveness of Polish producers on UK’s market both against British producers and lower cost exporters from outside the EU.

scholarly journals Promoting EU values in international agreements

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (11) ◽  
Author(s):  
JANČÍKOVÁ Eva ◽  
PÁSZTOROVÁ Janka
Keyword(s):  
European Union ◽  
Industrial Relations ◽  
International Agreements ◽  
The European Union ◽  
International Treaties ◽  
European Union Law ◽  
New Model ◽  
Trade Relations ◽  
The Right ◽  
High Level

Within the framework of external relations policy as a subject of international law, the European Union has the right to negotiate, conclude, amend and terminate international agreements on its own behalf, i.e., it has competences granted on it in this area by the Treaties. International agreements concluded at European level are results of an agreement between parties and belong to the sources of European Union Law. Current practice in concluding international agreements at the level of the European Union proves that trade and investment agreements contain provisions concerning civil society, labor relations andenvironment. The scientific study opens a discussion on a new model of international agreements which, in addition to trade relations, contain provisions on the social status of employees of the parties and on sustainable development. This new model of international treaties is supported by all Member States. The systems analysis shows that the European Union no longer acts as an economic-integration grouping towards third countries, but as an international organization that takes into account high level of environmental protection and the protection of employees' industrial relations.

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