INTERSESSIONAL
MEETING OF THE
INTERGOVERNMENTAL
GROUP ON TEA
Washington, DC, USA, 17-18 September 2012
FINAL REPORT
FINAL REPORT
INTRODUCTION
At its 20th session in Colombo, Sri Lanka, on 30 January to 1 February 2012, the
Intergovernmental Group (IGG) on Tea agreed to hold an intersessional meeting before its
next regular session to consider progress achieved by its Working Groups (WGs) in
examining the issues they were assigned. As a co-sponsor of the Fifth International Scientific
Symposium on Tea and Health scheduled for 19 September 2012 in Washington, DC, an
event which many delegates were expected to attend, the Secretariat suggested that the
intersessional be held in conjunction with this event. The IGG agreed to this suggestion.
The intersessional meeting was highly successful as 50 participants representing 10
countries attended. Following the opening, the seven Working Groups (WGs) broke out into
groups to discuss issues pertinent to the WG and report their recommendations to the
plenary session on 18 September. Some WGs met jointly with others. Apart from the WG on
Futures Market, which the meeting decided to put on hold, the objectives assigned to each
of the other WGs were met. These objectives were as follows:
Working Group on Maximum Residue Levels (MRLs)
• Finalize the priority list of compounds in different countries and remove anomalies and
duplication of work.
Working Group on MRLS in Tea Brew
• Report on progress made with the Codex Committee on Pesticide Residue (CCPR)
regarding the use of the tea brew as an alternative to measuring MRLs.
• Consider the draft action plan outlined in the discussion document, define the framework
of a policy document required for CODEX and agree on the strategy to include the tea brew
in the dietary risk assessment for tea.
Working Group Tea Trade and Quality
• Review the status of compliance of ISO 3720, as a minimum quality standard, in member
countries.
• Develop a strategy to promote minimum quality and safety assurance of ISO 3720
parameters to the governments of consumer countries as well as to the tea trade and
consumers.
Working Group on Organic Tea
• Develop and agree on technical requirements and certification process for organic tea
production.
• Report on progress made towards considering organic tea as low energy input for financial
gain through carbon trading.
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Working Group on Climate Change
• Agree on the specification and modus operandi of the coordination and function of the
WG on Climate Change so that it can meet the deadlines established at the 20th Session of
the IGG on Tea.
• Develop a plan of action.
Working Group on Smallholders
• Agree on the Terms of Reference of the Working Group on Smallholders
• Develop a plan of action.
The meeting was presented with a mock up of the new tea website that is currently
under construction. The participants approved the work done so far, and they committed to
assist the Secretariat to populate the new website.
Reports of the individual WGs which were adopted by the plenary are compiled
below.
WORKING GROUP ON TEA MAXIMUM RESIDUE LEVELS IN TEA
ACTIONS AND RESOLUTIONS
The WG on MRLs agreed on the priority list of chemicals, as follows:
Priority List of Chemicals
Data Availability
Action Required
Insecticides
Acetamiprid
Limited
Field trials
Bifenthrin
Yes
Not required
Buprofezin1/
Submitted to EU
Chlorfenapyr
Yes
Not required
Chlorfluazuron
Yes
Data submission
Chlorpyrifos
Yes
Not required
Chromafenozide
Limited
Field trials
Clothianidin
Yes
Not required
Cypermethrin
Yes
Not required [US, Canada*]
Dimethoate
Limited
Field trials
Emamectine benzoate
In progress
Field trials
Fenpropathrin
Yes
Not required
Fenpyroximate
Yes
Not required
Fipronil
In progress
Field trials, ** Env Concerns?
Flubendiamide
In progress
Field trials
Flufenoxuron
Yes
Data submission
1/
Members of the WG did not have information on whether sufficient field trial data were already
available for this compound. Therefore, they are to provide the WG with this information.
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FINAL REPORT
Data Availability
Action Required
Insecticides (cont’d)
Hexythiazox
In progress
Field trials
Imidacloprid
Yes
Residue definition
Permethrin
Limited
Field trials
Propargite
Yes
Not required
Spiromesifen
Yes
Not required
Thiacloprid
Yes
Data submission
Thiamethoxam
Yes
Not required
λ-Cyhalothrin
Yes
Data submission
Indoxycarb
In progress
Field trials
1/
Dichorvos
1/
Members of the WG did not have information on whether sufficient field trial data were already
available for this compound. Therefore, they are to provide the WG with this information.
Priority List of Chemicals (cont’d)
Data Availability
Action Required
Acaricide
Abamectin1/
Acequinocyl
In progress
Field trials
Chlofentezine1/
Dicofol
Yes
Data submitted
Ethion
Yes
Data submission
Etoxazole
Yes
Not required
Fenpyroximate
In progress
Field trials
Hexythiazox
In progress
Field trials
Milbemectin
No
Field trials
Permethrin
Limited
Field trials
Polysulphide sulphur
Exempted
Not required
Propargite
Yes
Not required
Spiromesifen
Yes
Not required
1/
Members of the WG did not have information on whether sufficient field trial data were already
available for this compound. Therefore, they are to provide the WG with this information.
Data Availability
Action Required
Herbicides
2,4-D
Limited
Field trials, **
Diuron
In progress
Field trials
Glufosinate-ammonium
Limited
Field trials
Glyphosate
Yes
Not required
MCPA
Yes
Not required
1/
Metolachlor
Oxyfluorfen
In progress
Field trials
Paraquat
Yes
Not required
1/
Members of the WG did not have information on whether sufficient field trial data were already
available for this compound. Therefore, they are to provide the WG with this information.
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FINAL REPORT
Data Availability
Action Required
Fungicides
Azoxystrobin
yes
Not required
Bitertanol
yes
Data submission
1/
Chlorothalonil
Copper hydroxide
Yes
Not required
Copper Oxychloride
Yes
Not required
Copper oxide
Yes
Not required
Difenoconazol
Limited
Field trials
Hexaconazole
Yes
Data submission
Propiconazole
Yes
Data submission
Pyroclostrobin1/
Tebuconazole
Yes
Data submission
Thiophanate-methyl
To be done
Field trials
Trifloxystrobin
To be done
Field trials
1/
Members of the WG did not have information on whether sufficient field trial data were already
available for this compound. Therefore, they are to provide the WG with this information.
OTHER DECISIONS
 A list and a timetable for those chemicals that are planned for submission to Codex would be
distilled from the above table and would be provided to the IGG/Tea Secretariat for advance
notice to Codex.
 The intent was to progress submissions through Codex with the view to achieve global
harmonization of MRLs for tea.
 A paper detailing the correlation between field trial protocol and GLP supervised protocol was to
be prepared. This paper would be used to persuade regulators who insist on GLP field trials to
accept data generated using the IGG/Tea protocol.
 The communication plan was to be reviewed and comments were to be returned within two
months.
 The Decision Tree was to be modified to remove the “accepted by secondary standards” box
since it was felt that this was premature and currently too restrictive.
WORKING GROUP ON MRLs in TEA BREW
ACTIONS AND RESOLUTIONS:
The group agreed on the following action plans:


To prepare a detailed methodology and policy document on how to approach the regulators
following acceptance at the 44th session of the CCPR of the proposal to fix MRLs in tea based on
risk assessment using the brew factor. This would act as a guidance document for fixing MRLs in
tea and would be circulated to all members to assist them to approach national regulators
including manufacturers. Target: three months.
To organize a ring test on a few widely used pesticides among different tea producing and
consuming countries within December 2013. The pesticides, test methods for tea and brew
analysis to be followed and the participating laboratories would be decided in next six months.
India, China, Sri Lanka, Kenya, UK, USA and Germany would participate in this ring test.
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WORKING GROUP ON TEA QUALITY AND STANDARD 3720
ACTIONS AND RESOLUTIONS:
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Introduction of a self-regulating code of conduct for continuance compliance of ISO 3720
minimum quality standard Member Nations. India, Kenya, Sri Lanka have confirmed that a selfregulating code of conduct is already in place. Bangladesh, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda and Viet
Nam have informed that implementation is on-going. A response is awaited from Burundi,
China, Islamic Republic of Iran, Nepal and Nigeria, and Indonesia informed difficulties in
conforming to the minimum standard at this stage.
Collect existing literature on additional quality benefits delivered by tea conforming to ISO 3720
or higher and submission to the Chair of the Working Group. India has agreed to forward
literature already available. Other Member Nations were requested to submit any related
literature on or before 31 March 2013.
Formulation of a road map to undertake further research on the connectivity of teas on ISO
3720 compliant and non-compliant to quality and food safety parameters as well as general
health issues. In other words, establish a business model for higher safety levels.
A closer synergy between the Working Group on Tea Trade and Quality and the International
Standards Organization for a combined collation of information and data.
The 19th session of the IGG on Tea held in New Delhi proposed a workshop for exchange of
information on ISO 3720 compliant and non-compliant teas among producing and consuming
countries. It was also proposed to invite ISO 3720 non-conforming countries, such as Argentina,
Islamic Republic of Iran, Turkey, etc. to participate and share their problems. Sri Lanka as the
present Chair of the IGG on Tea wishes to take this opportunity to propose to the Member
Nations that Sri Lanka is agreeable to host the ITPF Ministerial Meeting during the second half of
February 2013 (tentative) and the location to be determined since a counter proposal was made
to have a neutral venue such as Brazil.
Initiate a pragmatic programme to prevail upon the governments of consumer countries, tea
trade and consumers of importing countries to demand tea complying with ISO 3720
parametres or above in view of better quality and safety. It is believed that a lot of research has
already been done by consumer countries on tea consumption connected with human health
benefits. If such research has been done utilizing teas compliant with ISO 3720 or above, such
data could be availed as a starting point for this exercise.
Identifying donor funding/technical assistance for countries requiring support in the
implementation of ISO 3720 minimum quality standard.
The Working Group recognizes the establishment of a minimum quality standard for green tea
and the significant growth in the production and demand for green tea globally and therefore
proposes to recommend the introduction of a self-regulating code of conduct conforming to ISO
11287 minimum quality standard for green tea manufacturing. Japan agreed to be Co-Chair of
this Working Group, which was endorsed by the Members.
The Group discussed the need for defining a uniformed global sustainability standard governing
the tea value chain and proposed suggestions from Members for arriving at a consensus on this
issue.
FINAL REPORT
WORKING GROUP ON ORGANIC TEA
ISSUES TO BE DEALT WITH BY THE WORKING GROUP
1. Generating market information and developing market strategies
2. Technical requirements
3. Certification processes for tea production
4. Collecting and sharing information on production, package of practice, research and
development
5. Considering organic tea as low energy input for financial gain through carbon trading
6. Joining the organic movement for sustainability
Suggestions of the Working Group:
1. Generating market information and developing market strategies
 The WG recognized that in the past, excellent market study reports were produced by the
Secretariat of IGG on Tea.
 Given the difficulties in collecting market information from various countries, the WG felt that
the Secretariat was well placed to generate market information required for formulating
marketing strategies.
 The WG therefore recommended that the exercise be undertaken by the Secretariat in
collaboration with the member countries.
2. Technical requirements
 The WG recognized that under the overall supervision of the IGG on Tea, the technical
requirements had been sufficiently codified under a project on organic tea funded by the
Common Fund for Commodities: in China, Phase I (completed) and in India, Phase II (nearing
completion).
 The WG therefore recommended that the outcome of the projects – particularly the package of
practices recommended – be adopted by member countries if possible, with appropriate
adjustments suiting the local conditions.
3. Certification processes for tea production
 The WG recognized that several developed countries have put in place their own National
Standards for organic agriculture.
 The WG recommended that the IGG on Tea Secretariat collate common features of such
National Standards and that they be made available to organic tea producing counties to enable
them to align their standards in order to gain equivalency in the importing countries.
4. Collecting and sharing information on production, package of practice, research and
development
 The WG recognized the pioneering research and development work already undertaken by
China and India under the CFC-funded organic tea project.
 The WG therefore recommended that this issue be jointly dealt with by the Tea Board of India
(TBI) and the Tea Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (TRI CAAS).
 TBI was to collect and share information on production, package of practice and research and
development relating to black organic tea.
 TRI CAAS was to collect and share information on production, package of practice and research
and development relating to green organic tea.
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5 & 6. Considering organic tea as low energy input for financial gain through carbon
trading and joining the organic movement for sustainability
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The WG recognized that both technical and administrative aspects for gaining carbon credit
were being studied by the TRI CAAS.
The WG felt that quantification was important for possible carbon credit marketing.
It was noted that two critical technical issues were being studied by the TRI CAAS:
 Carbon sequestration in organic tea soils and its quantification; and
 Mitigation of greenhouse gases emission in organic tea fields compared to the conventional
ones and its quantification.
It has also been noted that TRI CAAS has taken up a project on “Tea safety and key
standardization”, and that TRI CAAS might be requested to share the protocol of the on-going
studies with the other tea research institutes for replicating the trials and quantification.
The sustainability issues needed to be addressed fully before encouraging any one to join the
organic movement for sustainability.
WORKING GROUP ON CLIMATE CHANGE
ACTION PLAN
1.
Database Development
 Spatio-temporal data
 Biophysical (meteorological, soil, crop, management etc.)
 Socio-economic (demographic, costs, income etc.)
(Data quality check, bridging missing data gaps, fairly good resolution for both spatial and temporal
data for bio-physical database)
2.
Impact Analysis –Methodology
 Trend analysis
 Meteorological data
 Long term trends and comparison with long term normals
 Frequency of extreme events
 Crop data (production & quality)
(Tea quality data on long term basis from the same area/cultivar– if available TF, TR to start
with)
 Future scenarios development
 Using appropriate model or consortium of models (preferably 1km grid)
Long term future climate (For IPCC, A1B scenario)
Immediate future weather
 Socio-Economic analysis
(Potential partners FAO –e.g. for Global Agro-ecological zones)
3.
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Work out interaction between Genotype (G) x Environment (E) x Management (M) which is the
prime driver of productivity
 Test existing and emerging cultivars for future climate scenarios (in OTC to begin with)
 Use GIS to identify vulnerable regions and suitable areas
FINAL REPORT
4.
Identify adaptation strategies/Agronomic practices – via developing decision support system
framework
 Combine surface, satellite and simulation data (model outputs) – nowcasts/ forecast and
future climate scenarios
Timelines:
Points 1-3 – report by the next IGG on Tea meeting
Reasonable progress on point No 4.
WORKING GROUP ON SMALLHOLDERS
ACTIONS AND RESOLUTIONS
1. Collect and collate information on smallholder profile
a) Total area under cultivation (Hectares)
b) Area under smallholdings
c) Economic size
d) Total number of tea factories
e) Number of factories handling smallholder leaf
f) Total production in the country – Black and Green Tea ( Indicate separately)
g) Percentage contribution by smallholders to the country’s production – Black and Green Tea
separately
h) Size class distribution of smallholdings
 Below 0.4 Ha - Number of smallholders
- Extent (Ha)
 >0.4 <1 Ha
- Number of smallholders
- Extent (Ha)
 >1 Ha <5 Ha
- Number of smallholders
- Extent (Ha)
 > 5 Ha
- Number of smallholdings
 Extent (Ha)
i) Availability of labour for harvesting (Migration of labour from tea growing areas)
j) Any regulation governing the payment for green leaf to smallholders
k) Community based organizations for smallholders/ Smallholder societies / Cooperatives
l) Marketing
 What percentage of production is sold
- Via Auction
- Via Direct Sales
m) Technology transfer and monitoring GAP/quality issues
n) Government Interventions/Government regulations
 Any subsidies /Assistance for
- Land development activities
- Inputs
- Any other
o) Specific issues (if any) confronting smallholders
Timeframe: Provide information to the Chair of this WG by 31 December 2012
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FINAL REPORT
2. Action Plan
 Analysis of data by origin
 Identify challenges and issues amongst smallholders, including enabling policies, capacity building,
education, food security, land tenure
 Arrange exchange/exposure visits amongst member countries
 WG recommendations to be submitted by 31 March 2013
 Education and training of smallholders
WORKING GROUP ON FUTURES MARKET
ACTIONS AND RESOLUTIONS
The progress made since the group was set up at the 20th session on the FAO IGG in Colombo was
reviewed and the inputs presented by the group chair, India were examined. The following concerns
were noted that:
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Tea, being unique in its heterogeneity, perishability, quality variations and production
patterns vis-à-vis any other commodity, would not lend itself to being traded as a commodity
future. This was reinforced by the literature on the subject cited by the WG’s Chair and
Coordinator.
The introduction of index futures in tea, though theoretically feasible and perhaps desirable,
posed several challenges, even assuming that a credible, reliable and transparent index could
be identified and maintained.
The evidence found by different researchers on the introduction of index futures in many
other commodities upon their price level and variability was mixed and often divergent.
The introduction of appropriate indexes and their maintenance also posed a problem.
Auction price indexes were thought to be suitable proxies, but countries with a robust tea
auction system often lacked developed capital markets, and countries with developed
financial infrastructures either had no tea auction centre or had auction centres which were
no longer representative of the true market dynamics in the country.
A futures market in tea would result in its further commoditization whereas, in view of its
heterogeneity, it might be able to be sold as a niche product rather than a commodity which
would assist it to move up the value chain.
Existing price stabilization mechanisms by way of forward contracts and private sales, already
exist in different producing countries. Futures contract might destabilize these mechanisms.
Hence the WG concluded that there may be more cons than pros in introducing tea futures and until
adequate, consistent evidence was available to demonstrate that the introduction of index futures in
a commodity was beneficial to its spot price behaviour in terms of level and variance, further steps
on the development and introduction of tea futures be kept in abeyance.
Conclusion
To revisit the issue when the situation demands in the medium term.
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FINAL REPORT
NEW WEBSITE OF THE IGG ON TEA
The intersessional meeting approved the mock up of the new website that was presented by the
Secretariat, and commitment was provided to assist the Secretariat to populate it. The website was
still very much work-in-progress, and the Secretariat would present an update at the next regular
session of the IGG on Tea.
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FINAL REPORT
ANNEX I
LIST OF PARTICIPANTS
Canada
Ms Louise Roberge
Tea Association of Canada
louise.roberge@tea.ca
China
Zongmao Chen
Professor
Tea Research Institute
Chinese Academy of Agriculture Sciences
chenzm@mail.tricaas.com
Wenyan Han
Professor
Tea Research Institute
Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences
hanwy@mail.tricaas.com
Zhi Lin
Professor
Tea Research Institute
Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences
linz@mail.tricaas.com
Cai Jun
China Chamber of Commerce
CFNA
chinatea_cfna@163.com
Qu Xinying
China Chamber of Commerce
CFNA
quxinying@cccfna.org.cn
India
M.G.V.K. Bhanu
Chairman
Tea Board of India
chairmanteaboard@gmail.com
A.K. Barooah
Tea Research Association of India
ak.b@rediffmail.com
R.M. Bhagat
R&D Coordinator
Tea Research Association of India
rmbhagat@tocklai.net
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India (Cont’d)
C.S. Bedi
Chairman
Indian Tea Association
cs.bedi@rosselltea.com
Mr Biswajit Bera
Tea Board of India
biswajittra@yahoo.co.in
Mr P.K. Bezboruah
Managing Director
Bokahola Tea Co. Ltd.
and Addl. Vice-Chairman
Tea Research Association of India
bezboruah@gmail.com
Ashok Kumar Bhargava
Managing Director APJ Group
Adl Vice-Chairman
Indian Tea Assn.
akbhargava@apeejaygroup.com
Gangan Boriah
Director
Tea Board of India
boriah01@gmail.com
Ms Nandini Datta
Deputy Director of Tea Promotion
Tea Board of India
Nandini.teaboard@gmail.com
Damodar Prasad Maheshwari
Chairman
Tea Research Assn of India
dpm@jayshreetea.com
P. Mohankumar
Director
UPASI Tea Research Institute of India
drp.mohankumar@gmail.com
N. Muraleedharan
Director
Tea Research Assn of India
tratjorh@rediffmail.com
FINAL REPORT
India (Cont’d)
Joydeep Phukan
Secretary
and Coordinator, FAO-IGG/Tea for India
Tea Research Association of India
joyphukan@gmail.com
Arijit Raha
Addl. Secretary
Indian Tea Association
ita@indiatea.org
Indonesia
Rachmat Badruddin
Chairman
Indonesia Tea Board
indotea@indosat.net.id
Japan
Mr Takafumi Katsumata
Japan New Business Council
Tsuchinokok812@yahoo.co.jp
Naoyuki Hashimoto
Member
Japan Tea Exporters Assn.
Japantea1953@yahoo.co.jp
Kotaro Tanimoto
Vice President
Japan Tea Exporters Assn.
Japantea1953@yahoo.co.jp
Yumiko Serizawa
Secretary
Japan Tea Exporters’ Assn.
Japantea1953@yahoo.co.jp
Katsuyuki Yoshida
NARO Institute of Vegetable and Tea Science
naro-cms@ml.affrc.go.jp
Kenya
Ms Sicily Kariuki
Managing Director, Tea Board of Kenya
and Vice-Chairperson of the IGG on Tea
info@teaboard.or.ke
David Kamau
Soil Chemist
Tea Research Foundation of Kenya
info@tearesearch.or.ke
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Kenya (Cont’d)
John K. Bore
Horticulturist
Tea Research Foundation of Kenya
info@tearesearch.or.ke
Peter N. Kibiku
Tea Board of Kenya
pkibiku@teaboard.or.ke
Samuel Onyango Ogola
Engineer
Tea Board of Kenya
ogola@teaboard.or.ke
Sri Lanka
H.E. Jaliya Wickramasuriya
Ambassador
Embassy of the Democratic Socialist Republic
of Sri Lanka in the United States of America
Ms Janaki Kuruppu
Chairman
Tea Board of Sri Lanka
and
Chairperson
IGG on Tea
janakik@pureceylontea.com
I. Sarath B. Abeysinghe
Director
Tea Research Institute of Sri Lanka
isarathb@yahoo.co.uk
Methmal Ariyasena
Director
Danduwangala Factory (Pvt) Ltd
methma@gmail.com
Hasitha de Alwis
Director, Promotion
Sri Lanka Tea Board
promotion@pureceylontea.com
Jayantha Keragala
Chairman
CTTA
jayantha@impratea.lk
FINAL REPORT
Sri Lanka (Cont’d)
Sudata Munasionghe
Chief Executive Officer
John Keely PLC
sudath.jkl@keells.com
United Republic of Tanzania (Cont’d)
Mr Mustafa H. Umande
Tanzania Smallholders Tea Development
Agency
mustafaumande@yahoo.com
Lalith Obeysekere
Chairman
Ceylon Planters Association
lalithobey@bgdpl.com
United Kingdom
Ms Katie Donnelly
Tata Global Beverages
katie.donnelly@tataglobalbeverages.com
Anil Perera
Chief Executive Officer
Tea Smallholder Factories PLC
anil.tsfl@keells.com
United States of America
Mr Joseph Simrany
President
Tea Association of the USA
simrany@teausa.org
Sarath Sirisena
Managing Director
Lanka Commodity Brokers
saraths@lcbl-sl.com
Peter F. Goggi
Executive Vice President
Tea Association of the USA
Peter.goggi@teaUSA.org
M.A. Wijeratne
James Hayes-Bohanan
Professor
Bridgewater State University
JHAYESBOH@bridgew.edu
madawalawije@yahoo.co.uk
United Republic of Tanzania
Mr Mathias Assenga Benedict
Tea Board of Tanzania
info@teaboardtz.org
Emmanuel F. Simbua
Executive Director
Tea Research Institute of Tanzania
esimbua@trit.or.tz
Andrew Scott
Tea Expert
Nestlé PTC Orbe
Andrew.Scott@rdor.nestle.com
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