U.S. recommends changes to International Coffee Organization

U.S. recommends changes to International Coffee Organization    The U.S. government has proposed a number of changes to the purpose and operations of the International Coffee Organization (ICO), which it rejoined in 2005.
   The ICO is an intergovernmental body whose members account for 97 percent of world coffee production and 80 percent of coffee consumption. The United States was a founding member of the ICO in 1962, but left the organization in 1993.
   With the ICO’s current agreement set to expire in 2007, the United States believes it’s time for the membership to make reforms, further reducing the organization’s past market intervention activities.
   The U.S. government’s proposed reforms are:
   * Expand ICO’s objectives to promote a comprehensive sustainability plan, which includes environmental considerations, improving the ICO’s operations, expanding and enhancing the collection and sharing of information relevant to coffee farmers.
   * Strengthening private sector contributions.
   * Emphasize the importance of “capacity building” projects.
   * Help small producers through turbulent market conditions.
   * Make the group more accessible to public-interest groups.
   According to the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, coffee is the world’s second-most-traded commodity, accounting for more than $70 billion in annual retail sales. Coffee is produced in more than 60 countries. The United States is the world’s largest coffee importer, the USTR noted.