Germany gives EUR 1.95 million to boost safe food trade

The German Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) is donating EUR 1.95 million (approximately CHF 1.85 million) to the Standards and Trade Development Facility (STDF) to enhance developing countries’ compliance with international food safety, and animal and plant health standards for trade. The contribution reflects Germany’s commitment to strengthening global food systems, protecting resources, improving livelihoods, and boosting economic development.

WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala said: “I thank Germany for this donation and its long-standing partnership with the STDF. By aligning with international food safety standards, developing countries will be better positioned to access global markets, promoting economic growth, sustainability, and job creation. This contribution will fund targeted initiatives, training programs, and capacity-building efforts tailored to the unique challenges faced by these countries to meet international SPS standards.”

Germany’s Federal Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development, Ms Svenja Schulze, said: “The Government of Germany is committed to supporting partners in developing countries in their efforts to transform their agriculture and food systems. Recent experience, for instance, when it comes to the global repercussions of Russia’s war against Ukraine, has shown that diversified agricultural trading relations are critical, in particularly at the inter-regional level. They can provide stable and safe food supplies as well as income opportunities through earnings from exports. We are pleased to expand our collaboration with the STDF to support our partners in their efforts to create the conditions needed for participating in agricultural trade and reaping its benefits for sustainable economic growth, poverty reduction, and food security for all.”

The contribution from Germany will strengthen the ability of small-scale farmers and producers to access global and regional markets for food and agriculture products through the roll-out of sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) projects. These projects will pilot innovative and collaborative approaches to facilitate safe trade in a way that helps to reduce the risk of outbreaks of pests and diseases, contributing to safe food systems and reducing and mitigating the impact of climate change on food security.

The contribution will also be used to expand the use of innovation across the STDF’s knowledge work and to support dissemination and outreach to beneficiaries and other stakeholders across agriculture, health, trade, and development.

Overall, Germany has contributed CHF 38.3 million to WTO Trust Funds since 2000. To date, BMZ has contributed EUR 7.45 million to the STDF. Developing countries and least developed countries (LDCs) are encouraged to apply for SPS project and project preparation grants from the STDF. The next deadline for funding proposals is 1 March 2024. To date, the STDF has funded over 250 projects globally.