Australia donates over AUD 1 million to support SPS standards, LDC role in fisheries talks

The Standards and Trade Development Facility (STDF) will receive AUD 1 million for the years 2019 and 2020 to support developing countries to comply with international food safety, animal and plant health standards and increase their access to world markets.

Additionally, Australia is also contributing AUD 23,000 the recently established LDC Fisheries Subsidies Fund to support attendance by LDC capital officials at Geneva negotiating clusters in 2019, ahead of the end-of-year deadline for this work agreed by members.

WTO Director-General Roberto Azevêdo said: “I welcome Australia’s continued generosity. This new donation will be important to help developing and least-developed countries improve their sanitary and phytosanitary standards, thereby accessing agricultural markets more easily. I also thank Australia for supporting the WTO fisheries trust fund that allows capital-based delegations from LDCs to participate in negotiations on fisheries subsidies.”

Australia has contributed over CHF 17 million to WTO trust funds over the past 17 years.

The STDF is a global coordination 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.

Original source: WTO
Published on 31 July 2019