La globalizacion del comercio de alimentos y la armonizacion de los estandares y normas de inocuidad alimentaria, han provocado numerosos cambios en el marco juridico internacional y en las legislaciones nacionales en materia de alimentos. Existe un consenso generalizado sobre la conveniencia de coordinar la elaboracion de normativas entre organismos nacionales e internacionales, para mejorar la proteccion de la vida y la salud humana, animal y vegetal sin crear obstaculos innecesarios al comercio. A ello se anade el creciente interes por la normativa en materia de inocuidad alimentaria y comercio de alimentos suscitado por las recientes crisis alimentarias que se han sucedido en el panorama internacional. Esta nueva realidad conlleva nuevas necesidades normativas. Los marcos juridicos nacionales han de adaptarse para cumplir con las obligaciones internacionales y regionales y la distribucion de responsabilidades requiere ser rigurosamente revisada. Este estudio se basa en la experiencia de la FAO en la asistencia tecnica a gobiernos a fin de desarrollar normativas en materia de inocuidad de los alimentos. Con este objetivo, el texto parte de la definicion y el analisis de los diferentes elementos que han de formar parte de este marco normativo, y aporta recomendaciones utiles para la preparacion de la normativa nacional basica, incluyendo tres nuevos modelos de ley de alimentos. El presente volumen es una traduccion al espanol del estudio Perspectives and guidelines on food legislation with a new model of food law, publicado con el numero 87 de la coleccion "Legislative studies," en la que se ha adaptado el modelo de ley de Common Law, a la tradicion normativa de los paises pertenecientes a sistemas juridicos de tradicion romano-germanica."

Since the establishment of the WTO, there have been significant changes in the legal and institutional landscape of many developing countries. Whatever the motivation for trade-related legal reform, our experience in the FAO Legal Office has been that besides the substantial costs involved, there are many challenges to successful and meaningful legal and institutional reforms. Legal drafters must therefore be well aware of the existing legal and administrative culture. They must also have a realistic appreciation of the resource constraints in the country, for inadequate resources certainly restrict the ability of implementing bodies to put new rules into practice. This study is about the nature and extent of these trade-related legal and institutional reforms with a particular focus on those of direct relevance to the agricultural sector. In addition to the sectoral focus on agriculture, the study places distinct emphasis on the challenges of developing countries in the implementation of trade-related international obligations in the agricultural sector. It derives from FAO's experience in advising countries on the implementation of agriculture-related WTO agreements, key elements of which are discussed and illustrated by three representative case studies.

Biosecurity aims to facilitate the implementation of international obligations related to international trade and the protection of human, animal and plant life and health as well as the environment. It looks at the coordination of sectoral regulatory authorities in order to manage biological risks for food and agriculture in an efficient and holistic manner. Upgraded legislation is needed to align national laws to international standards and to enhance institutional coordination. Countries require comprehensive and consistent national legal frameworks for Biosecurity in order to implement effective controls, increase cost effectiveness and improve consistency across sectors. Reviewing and assessing what legislation is in place is the first step toward implementing a Biosecurity approach. It is not an easy exercise as the normative and functional components of Biosecurity are often found in a plethora of laws and regulations. Based on the six pilot country studies, this text develops an analytical methodology to review and assess national legal frameworks for Biosecurity.

International and national legal frameworks governing the trade and use of pesticides have undergone significant changes over the last twenty years. The International Code of Conduct on the Distribution and Use of Pesticides, the Rotterdam Convention, the Stockholm Convention, the Basel Convention and the Montreal Protocol are only some of the binding and non-binding international instruments applicable to part or all of the life cycle of a pesticide. Specific guidelines for implementation are often available from the secretariat of the applicable international instrument, but comprehensive guidance is generally lacking. Governments need a clear picture of their international obligations as well as guidance on the accepted international consensus on the proper management of pesticides. Upgraded national legislation is needed to align national frameworks with international norms. This text aims to provide governments wishing to design, reform or update their national legislation with up-to-date advice on all aspects of pesticide management. Although the recommendations for national legislative change are designed to be useful to all countries, the text highlights the particular problems faced by developing countries and countries in transition, offering practical solutions to common problems. Also published in Spanish.

In recent years, there has been increasing recognition of the need for sound regulatory frameworks for bioenergy. Faced with high petroleum and natural gas prices, and increasingly aware of climate change and environmental concerns, many countries are implementing national policies and legislation to encourage bioenergy production and use. These developments stem from the desire to achieve energy security and self-sufficiency, the need to reduce reliance on foreign fossil fuel reserves and the hope of providing increased trade opportunities for some agricultural commodities. Land use, and the competing needs of energy and food security are key issues in the bioenergy debate. International and national regulatory frameworks will have to establish clear guidelines for the sustainable development of the bioenergy industry. This paper aims to stimulate discussion on the elements of appropriate national legal frameworks for bioenergy, particularly in developing countries. It provides legislators and policy-makers with a tool to assist in identifying areas of law which may affect bioenergy regulation, and in designing key elements of national bioenergy laws.

Integrated coastal management (ICM) is widely accepted throughout the world as the best approach to dealing with coastal issues. The 1990s saw a proliferation of legislative reform processes worldwide. This aimed at supporting the implementation of ICM. Despite many international environmental treaties, declarations and other promises of action, the quality of coastal environments continues to deteriorate while the demand for coastal resources has increased in most of the world. This publication, in its practical guidance, will be especially valuable to anyone involved in the development, drafting or implementation of a legal or institutional framework to promote ICM. It is enhanced by illustrative examples from a range of countries that are at various stages of developing and implementing legislation to promote ICM.

The vital importance of water to human activity is such that most societies and cultures have sought to establish legal rules over its use and allocation. In most jurisdictions legal rights to water have been linked to land tenure and ownership rights. A number of countries have recently undertaken substantive water law reforms, usually involving the introduction of formal and explicit water rights that clearly specify the volume of water that is subject to each right ("modern water rights"), together with institutional arrangements for their allocation, registration, monitoring and enforcement. Modern water rights are not intrinsically tied to specific land plots, are often transferable and available to be traded on a temporary or permament basis. This book reviews international experiences of the introduction and use of modern water rights. It is based on a survey of relevant primary and secondary legislation, published literature, internet sources and practical experience.