Technical Study on the Israeli Food Law

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Power of Voices Partnership

Terms of Reference for Technical Study on the Israeli Food Law

Background & Introduction: 

The Palestinian Farmers’ Union (PFU) in partnership with OXFAM, are implementing a project titled “Power of Voices Partnership” funded by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs which aims to increase the accountability of government, responsiveness, fairness, through implementing better mechanisms related to agriculture policies that will achieve farmer aspirations and rights. Through the PVP project, we seek to contribute to achieving sustainability for the Palestinian farmers as well as, increase farmers’ awareness of their rights and their right to follow up and track the government’s failures in practicing agricultural policies that will have positive repercussions of the long run. 

There are three inter-related outcomes that will be targeted: (1) Strengthened Civil Society (CS) collects evidence of rights abuses/support communities, (2) Strengthened CS has capacity to improve (inter)national norms, (3) Strengthened CS mobilized public to influence governments. 

CONTEXT AND BACKGROUND 

Agriculture is a very important sector in Palestine, as it provides jobs to around 5.9% of the Palestinian labor force and comprises both major and secondary sources of income for many Palestinians. Palestinian agriculture contributes to 3.5% of the GDP. According to The Applied Research Institute-Jerusalem (ARIJ) (2015), the agricultural sector is an important driver in the Palestinian economy because it creates opportunities in the local Palestinian market. In fact, agricultural exports comprise 15% of the total of Palestinian exports. Surplus production for some products, mainly olives, grapes, and dates, accounts for this contribution to the national economy. Furthermore, the Palestinian market relies heavily on Israel as a trading partner. In 2020, Palestinian imports from Israel were $2.77 billion and exports were $955 million. In fact, The Palestinian Ministry of Agriculture states that vegetable exports to Israel were worth $88 million in 2020, accounting for 68% of the West Bank’s overall vegetable exports. 

However, the Israeli Food Law, which was issued in 2016 has become a threat to Palestinian farmers. This law was issued in 2016 but will become active in January 2022. The Palestinian government was only notified about the activation of the law two months ago. The law will include restrictions and conditions on Palestinian products that will be sold in Israel. These conditions include: the holding of Palestinian agricultural products in storage units of Israeli trades, laboratory testing to ensure safety conditions, and depending on the results, the products will be allowed to enter, disposed of, or sent back to the source. If this law is activated, it will be catastrophic for agriculture in Palestine and Palestinian products that are sold in Israel. 

Therefore, PFU will hire a consultant to develop a technical study to measure the damages this law will cause for Palestinian farmers and the negative effects of this law on the agricultural sector and farmers. 

Please submit the proposal (separate technical & financial offer) and requested documents by sealed envelopes to the Palestinian Farmers Union Headquarter (al-Bireh, close to the representative office of Netherlands) no later than the 15th of January 2022. 

For any questions, feel free to contact PFU office at 02 240 0792       

For those who are interested, kindly download the following: Tender Document