Canada helps developing countries comply with international standards

Geneva, Switzerland – Canada is contributing $250,000 Cdn to the Standards and Trade Development Facility in 2018 to help developing countries comply with international food safety, animal and plant health standards and therefore access agricultural markets more easily.

The donation will help developing and least-developed countries improve their sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) capacity, the World Trade Organization (WTO) said in a news release.

“This donation from Canada will help developing and least-developed countries comply with international sanitary and phytosanitary standards, thereby boosting their capacity to trade with all the benefits that brings for growth and development,” WTO Director-General Roberto Azevêdo said. “I welcome Canada’s continued generosity.”

“We believe that Canada’s contribution to the STDF will support capacity building initiatives in developing countries aimed at helping them implement SPS standards and gain or maintain access to world markets,” said Canada’s Agriculture and Agri-Food Minister Lawrence MacAulay.

Canada has contributed more than $15 million to WTO trust funds over the past 16 years, the release said.

The Standards and Trade Development Facility (STDF) is an international co-ordination platform that brings together leading trade, health and agriculture experts worldwide to share knowledge, tools and good practice and strengthen the effectiveness of SPS technical assistance provided to developing countries. The STDF also provides support and funding for the development and implementation of collaborative and innovative projects that promote compliance with international SPS requirements. The STDF is housed and managed by the WTO.