The United States Department of Agriculture contributed USD 600,000 (approximately CHF 580,000) to the Standards and Trade Development Facility (STDF) in 2019 to help developing countries and least-developed countries (LDCs) meet international food safety, animal and plant health standards for trade, with the objective of increasing their access to world markets.
WTO Director-General Roberto Azevêdo said: “The United States has once again contributed generously to helping developing countries and LDCs meet agricultural standards, with the ultimate objective of furthering their integration into the global economy. This donation from the United States is very welcome.”
The US Ambassador to the WTO, Dennis Shea, said: “The United States is pleased to be renewing its support for strengthening the implementation of the Agreement on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (SPS), a unique agreement aimed at improving health and preventing disguised trade barriers. Its provisions ensure regulatory approaches are transparent, and science and risk-based, setting the gold standard for protecting consumer health, supporting rural livelihoods and facilitating trade. Extreme poverty is predominately found in rural areas where agricultural productivity is low. Building farmers’ capacity to implement the SPS Agreement is critical to improving access to safe tools and technologies, increasing agricultural sustainability and achieving the vision of the United Nations Decade of Family Farming.”
The United States has contributed approximately CHF 24 million (USD 24.5 million) to the various WTO trust funds over nearly 20 years.
The STDF’s global network brings together leading trade, health and agriculture experts worldwide to address persistent and emerging SPS challenges. The STDF also provides support and funding for the development and implementation of projects that promote compliance with international food safety, animal and plant health standards.
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