Information on
SPS-related activities of
the International Trade Centre (ITC)
(June
2024 – september 2024)
Communication
from ITC
The following communication, received on 7 October 2024, is being circulated
at the request of the ITC.
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The International Trade Centre is continuing
its efforts to assist micro, small and medium-sized enterprises to meet
technical market requirements. An update of selected SPS-related activities of
interest to WTO Members is provided below.
1 PROJECTS
1.1 Eswatini: Promoting Growth through Competitive Alliances III (May
2023 - May 2027 / Donor European Union)
1.1. The overall objective of this programme is to contribute to economic
growth, job creation and poverty reduction. With a major focus on the
development of agriculture and agri-business value chains, the programme aims
to unlock the key constraints to competitiveness in Eswatini by improving the
policy and regulatory framework for private sector development and through the development
of selected value chains.
1.2. A situation assessment was carried out during an ITC mission to
Eswatini through meetings held from 9 to 10 September 2024 with the Eswatini
Standards Authority (SWASA), National Agricultural Marketing Board (NAMBoard),
National Plant Health Inspectorate Service, Department of Livestock and
Veterinary Services, Eswatini Dairy Board (EDB), and the Environmental Health
Unit of the Ministry of Health (MoH), as well through visits of the food
testing, and veterinary laboratories.
1.3. A workshop was held from 11 to 13 September 2024 to acquaint two
sectors – fresh fruits and vegetables, and livestock and meat - with technical
market requirements and key standards applicable to participate in
international trade. 50 participants from 18 governmental institutions
including the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Trade, the Ministry of
Agriculture, and the Ministry of Health and five private companies attended.
Sessions covered basic concepts in food safety, followed by an overview of Good
Agricultural Practices, Good Farming Practices, Codex Principles of Good
Hygiene, relevant Codes of Practice, Hazard Analysis and Critical Control
Point, and ISO 22000: Food Safety Management Systems, as well as SDGs, green
transition, and circular economy as related to the said sectors. Group sessions
were held to identify key challenges faced by the sectors to improve quality
and food safety and by national quality infrastructure institutions to enhance
their support. The challenges identified and actions recommended will form the
basis of further activities implemented under the project.
1.2 Iraq: Strengthening the Agriculture and Agri-food Value Chain and
Improving Trade Policy (SAAVI) (September 2020 - April 2025 / Donor European
Union)
1.4. This project aims to support stabilization and governance through
building the capacities of key Iraqi institutions to deliver public services,
as well as sustainable job creation through the development of human capital
and the enhancement of private sector competitiveness. The project focuses on
the development and implementation of sector strategies for high-potential
products, as well as on defining more market-oriented policies to improve
predictability and efficiency in the business environment. SAAVI also provides
technical assistance to enhance Iraq's trade policy and supports the country in
its WTO accession process.
1.5. Through an expert trained under the Quality Champions component,
SAAVI supported a leading food processing company "Taj Al-Mazraa" in
Baghdad to implement HACCP, and ISO 22000: Food Safety Management Systems. In
August 2024, the company successfully achieved certification to both food
safety schemes.
1.6. A training workshop for Ministry of Health inspectors on Hazard
Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) principles and guidelines, ISO
9011:2018 - Guidelines for auditing management systems, and risk-based
inspection is scheduled to take place from 13-17 October 2024.
1.7. A third and final workshop for the dates sector (farmers, producers,
processors, exporters) was conducted from 23 to 24 September 2024. This two-day
workshop held in Baghdad saw 22 participants from both the public and the
private sectors. The sessions included market expectations for date exports
according to relevant Codex standards, sharing of trade experience, and
international and regional technical requirements for the product. A session on
the status of Iraq's WTO accession process was also part of the workshop.
1.8. Research was completed on SPS and TBT requirements for dates, fresh or
dried for the markets of Türkiye and the United Arab Emirates. This information
has been uploaded to the Iraq Quality for Trade Platform and made publicly
available. Additional products have been identified for future mappings. A
launch event for the Iraq Quality for Trade Platform was held on 26 September
in Baghdad, where stakeholders were introduced to the platform and shown how
they can access information and detailed guidance on SPS and TBT measures,
specifically for dates.
1.3 Nepal: Trade-Related Assistance (January 2020 - November 2024 /
Donor European Union)
1.9. As part of the support being provided to the Plant Quarantine and
Pest Management Centre (PQPMC) for development of pest survey and surveillance
in the coffee sector, a final report on findings of 12 months of field work
including inception report, survey protocols for pests, and diseases will be
presented at the project closure event to be held at the end of October 2024.
1.10. A team of Quality Champions trained SMEs and value chain actors in
the coffee sector on quality and food safety through three workshops
implemented in different locations. Similar training had earlier been offered
with excellent results that were captured and uploaded on the Nepal Quality for
Trade platform.
1.4 Nigeria: Improving SPS compliance to boost export capacity (March
2024 – February 2027 / Donor STDF)
1.11. Financed by the Standards and Trade Development Facility (STDF), the
project seeks to reduce the number of rejections of Nigerian cowpea and sesame
exports at international borders through better compliance with Maximum Residue
Levels of pesticides and avoidance of Salmonella contamination in the targeted
value chains. ITC is leading the implementation of the project with a national
partner, the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC).
1.12. The overall project goal is to contribute to increased income
generation through the supply of high quality and safe agricultural products
for international and regional markets.
1.13. A series of coordination meetings with key SPS-related
institutions, such as the Nigerian Agricultural Quarantine Service (NAQS), the
Standards Organization of Nigeria (SON), and association representatives from
the sesame and cowpea value chains, were organized in collaboration with the
NEPC, calling for an efficient inter-agency collaboration and active
participation in the baseline research study of the selected two value chains.
1.14. Three baseline studies were launched successfully in August 2024
focusing on: (i) regulatory and institutional aspects of Nigeria's monitoring
system for pesticides and pathogenic micro-organisms and coordination of public
sector entities; (ii) analysis of the cowpea value chain; and (iii) analysis
of the sesame value chain. Baseline date collection was done with the aid of
questionnaires for target audiences along the value chains – private and public
sectors (i.e. farmers, producers, processors, exporters, domestic distributors
of pesticides, regulatory authorities, consumers, associations). Reports are
being finalized following collection of relevant data, information, reports,
and analytical studies to assess the current state of import, distribution,
storage, use, sales and the controls of pesticides in Nigeria, as well as to
analyze the sources and extent of Salmonella contamination in the selected
value chains.
1.15. In June ITC conducted a mission to Nigeria to develop a parallel
project (likely to be funded by the Japanese government). This new project will
focus on digitalization of the agri-food sector with links envisaged with the
STDF project in relation to traceability in the sesame value chain.
1.5 Pakistan: Growth for rural advancement and sustainable progress
(GRASP) (June 2019 - December 2024 / Donor European Union)
1.16. ITC is engaged with government agencies handling sanitary and
phytosanitary measures in Sindh and Balochistan provinces in Pakistan with a
view to improving their technical functions, equipment, and capacities.
1.17. As part of ongoing activities to develop the capacity of the
university undergraduates on SPS, the Department of Food Science and Technology
at the University of Karachi has revised its syllabus to incorporate SPS
related content in its current curriculum. GRASP is in process to strengthen
the capacity of departments on SPS curriculum teaching by trainings of faculty
members and provision of equipment and tools.
1.18. Arrangements are underway to conduct a series of three trainings on
HACCP for Sindh Food Authority (SFA) staff at Sukkur, Hyderabad, and Karachi.
1.19. Tools, furniture, and multimedia resources have been procured for
the establishment of Balochistan Food Authority Training School in Quetta.
Equipment for pest surveillance and tools to strengthen the mechanism for
collection of pesticide samples have also been provided to Agriculture
Extension Department, Quetta. Training to build the capacities of inspectors in
collection of pesticide samples is being planned. The project has upgraded
regional pesticide quality control and research laboratory at Quetta through
technical support for method verification for pesticide assay and has activated
its Ultra Performance Liquid Chromatography (UPLC) equipment. AOAC 2023 manuals
have been procured and handed over to food authorities of Sindh and Balochistan
as the reference material for their technical wing's analytical activity.
1.20. Ongoing support to prepare selected laboratories involved in SPS
functions for accreditation to ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation saw the completion
of development and implementation of related quality management system and its
documentation. Quality assurance tools and minor equipment necessary for
accreditation are being procured, after which the laboratories will be audited
by PNAC, which is a signatory to the ILAC MRA including ISO/IEC 17025 in its
accreditation scope.
1.6 The Philippines: Bangsamoro Agri-Enterprise Programme (BAEP) – FAIR
VALUE Project (12 September 2023 – 11 September 2026 / Donor European Union)
1.21. Part of a bigger programme (Farmers – Fisherfolks' Advancement and
Integration to Resilient Value Chains in Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim
Mindanao (BARMM) led by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and
co-implemented with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
(FAO) in the Philippines, the project FAIR VALUE aims at improving quality,
diversity, and consolidation of local agricultural/marine aqua products in
response to market needs. ITC's interventions specifically focus on
implementing food safety systems and increasing the investment readiness of
selected enterprises and cooperatives.
1.22. An EU Results-Oriented Monitoring (ROM) mission was completed in
June 2024.
1.23. IOM led the development of the value chain assessment and ITC
contributed to a series of value chains workshops aimed at collecting feedback
from stakeholders between 22 August and 11 September in coffee, seaweeds,
rubber, and regional finalization of the value chain assessment reports. The
ITC food safety component commenced on 10 September with an awareness session
on "Why food safety matters" and the launch of the BARMM Food Safety
Ambassador Programme on 11 September held in Cotabato. Sixteen stakeholders
from government, academia and private sector and from Basilan, Sulu, and
Tawi-Tawi, were trained as potential candidates to become BARMM Food Safety
Ambassadors on "implementing food safety systems" with industry
exposure from 23 to 27 September in Zamboanga. Food and Drug Administration
(FDA) Western Mindanao Cluster-Pagadian City officials joined the training and
explained the regulatory requirements for licences and registration.
1.7 Philippines Arise Plus Project (March 2021 – February 2025 / Donor
European Union)
1.24. The project aims to foster inclusive economic growth and poverty
reduction in the Philippines through improved trade performance and
competitiveness and specifically by putting in place a National Quality
Infrastructure (NQI) that promotes export competitiveness, and a quality
management and control systems for exported food products better aligned with
international best practices.
1.25. In continuation of the technical assistance, quality and food
safety/SPS requirements for priority product market combinations were made live
on the Philippines Quality for Trade Platform, now publicly available to all
users. Priority sectors include virgin coconut oil, coconut water, coconut flour.
Additional products including dried mango, mango puree, dried pineapple and
canned pineapple, coffee and cocoa have also been made available. An online
interactive tool: Introduction to food safety
measures for MSMEs in the Philippines will be added to the Philippines Quality
for Trade Platform.
1.26. Moreover, a team of 20 Quality Champions qualified under the project
continued to roll out a series of training and coaching for MSMEs in
collaboration with national public institutions and private sector partners
with the Philippines Society for Quality as lead partner to cascade knowledge
on the importance of quality and food safety including Good Agricultural
Practices (GAP), Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), Hazard Analysis and
Critical Control Point (HACCP) to meet technical market requirements.
1.8 Tanzania: Developing the Beekeeping Value Chain (September 2021 –
February 2026 / Donor European Union)
1.27. This project seeks to improve the beekeeping value chain through
enhanced quality production, value addition of bee products and enhanced trade
and access to local, regional and international markets, while operating in a
non-discriminatory and participative way through better provision of extension
services to smallholder producers on best practices and access to production
inputs. The project improves links between production and marketing, while
focusing on groups living in vulnerable situations, providing them with
employment opportunities to participate in the value chain.
1.28. The project specifically supports quality assurance, standards and
certification of bee products, facilitating the regulatory procedures related
to trade and hence increases penetration of regional and international markets.
By targeting activities to strengthen women's role, the project will contribute
to a more gender sensitive sector, through integration of gender sensitive
criteria in the certification process as well as in the delivery of export
capacity building services throughout ITC's intervention.
1.29. Under the food safety component, six processing centres were
supported to comply with Good Hygiene Principles as this is a regulatory
requirement in the Tanzanian honey processing sector. One international
exporter of honey was certified to HACCP and is now selling honey to Saudi Arabia.
Nine more companies will receive support for HACCP certification under the
project.
1.9 Turkmenistan: Enhancing capacities of policymakers for WTO accession
(December 2023 – February 2028 / Donor European Union)
1.30. The project aims at contributing to economic development in
Turkmenistan by improving the country's business climate and competitiveness of
SMEs while promoting Turkmenistan's international economic engagement and
participation in regional and global trade. The project will also assist the
Government of Turkmenistan in the process of accession to the WTO as well as in
initiating trade facilitation reforms, increasing the country's investment
attractiveness and creating a conducive e-commerce environment.
1.31. The project is currently supporting the Government of Turkmenistan
to review consistency of relevant domestic legislation with the SPS Agreement.
The reviewed legislation includes Sanitary Code of Turkmenistan (Law No. 74-IV);
Law of Turkmenistan on Safety and Quality of Food Products (Law No. 105-V);
Law on Plant Quarantine (Law No. 54-IV); and Law on Veterinary Medicine
(Law No. 143-V). Under this project, ITC will deliver a workshop on
the WTO TBT and SPS Agreements between 8 and 10 October 2024 in Ashgabat,
targeting relevant ministries as well as their specialised agencies. The
workshop is to be followed by technical meetings focusing on the reviewed
legislation.
1.10 Uzbekistan: Facilitating the Process of Accession to the WTO
(February 2020 – October 2024 / Donor European Union)
1.32. The overall objective of the project is to contribute to the
economic development of Uzbekistan by assisting the country to create a trade
environment that is in conformity with international standards, including
predictable and enforceable laws and regulations. The specific objective of the
project is to create a trade environment that is in conformity with the World
Trade Organization (WTO).
1.33. During the reporting period, the project continued assistance to the
Committee of Sanitary-Epidemiological Welfare and Public Health (San-Epid
Committee) in the development of the framework document for a strategic
approach to modernize sanitary rules and norms (SanPiNs) and reviewed six
selected key SanPiNs on food additives, hygiene requirements, contaminants,
pesticide residues in food, microbiological criteria, and veterinary medicine
residues in food.
1.34. In response to a request by Uzbekistan's State Committee of
Veterinary and Livestock Development (SVC), the project completed an English
translation technical review of 23 key legislative documents on animal health
and veterinary sanitary requirements, contributing to Uzbekistan's transparency
commitments under the SPS Agreement, as well as enhancing access to the
legislative documents for a broader range of international stakeholders
including researchers, private sector exporters, and importers. Furthermore,
assistance to SVC continued with a technical review of the Law on Animal Health
of Uzbekistan and the legislative document on Veterinary Import, Export, and
Transit Requirements. Recommendations were submitted for alignment with the
WOAH Terrestrial Animal Health Code and compliance with the SPS Agreement
requirements.
1.35. A series of training workshops covering theoretical and practical
aspects of food safety, and veterinary, sanitary and hygiene requirements were
delivered to a mixed target audience of veterinary officials, specialists and
food operators. These included a two-day training on National Residue
Monitoring and Control Plan development and implementation, delivered to 39
veterinary officials and specialists from 12 to 13 June 2024. Following said
training, 32 food value chain operators, processors, and officials from the
competent authority, including official control inspectors, were trained on
practical aspects of HACCP, GHP, and GMP in slaughterhouses from 1 to 3
July 2024. Finally, a two-day hybrid training on the fundamentals of the use of
animal identification, registration, and veterinary traceability for animal
health, food safety, and international trade was held from 4 to 5 July 2024,
engaging 97 participants both online and onsite.
1.36. A training attachment of four officials from Uzbekistan's San-Epid
Committee, the SVC, the National Plant Protection and Quarantine Agency
(NPPO), and the Customs Committee, to the Latvian Food and Veterinary Service
was organized between 23-27 September 2024, towards the participants gaining
insights into practical application and implementation of the SPS Agreement
provisions, scientific justification related aspects of SPS measures, and
application of risk-based SPS controls.
1.11 EU-EAC Market Access Upgrade Programme (MARKUP II) (August 2023 –July
2027 / Donor European Union)
1.37. The second phase of the EU-EAC Market Access Upgrade Programme
(MARKUP II) is a regional initiative funded by the European Union to unlock the
full potential of agribusinesses within the EAC region; implemented by ITC
working in partnership with the EU regional Delegation, the EAC secretariat and
the governments of six EAC member States.
1.38. The quality and SPS component of MARKUP II aims at strengthening
compliance to quality and food safety standards, including the development of
quality awards, training and coaching of enterprises and awareness raising
regarding quality and food safety requirements of export markets. Value chains
selected for support are avocado, cocoa, coffee, essential oils, French beans,
gum Arabic, horticulture, leather, packaging, spices and tea.
1.39. In view of supporting EAC to improve coordination of and access to
testing services ITC is finalizing a draft roadmap that sets out specific
actions at regional and national levels to address challenges related to
capacity to repair and maintain laboratory equipment in the EAC for food
testing laboratories. ITC identified five root causes of the challenges through
two technical surveys conducted between April and May 2024, which were
subsequently validated by about 90 stakeholders (food testing
laboratories, maintenance and repair service providers, and key testing
equipment manufacturers) in the restitution events in July and September 2024.
The final draft roadmap is expected to be reviewed and approved by the EAC's
Technical Committee in December 2024.
1.40. To support EAC to improve harmonization of standards, technical
regulations and SPS measures, MARKUP II supported the 14th meeting
of the EAC Codex Forum held in Nairobi, Kenya, from 28 to 29 August 2024. This
regional forum was attended by 27 delegates from eight Partner States,
representatives from EAC secretariat, ITC and TradeMark Africa (TMA) to develop
EAC common positions on matters in the agenda of the 27th session of
Codex Committee on Food Import and Export Inspection and Certification Systems
(CCFICS27). After this forum, the project supported one EAC staff to attend the
CCFICS27 held from 16 to 20 September in Cairns, Australia.
1.41. A Regional Codex Forum is scheduled in October in Nairobi for the
preparation of EAC participation in the CAC47 meeting, 25-30 November 2024, in
Geneva, Switzerland.
1.42. The EAC Quality for Trade Platform, which provides information on
SPS requirements for select priority products, is undergoing a process of
update and expansion to include South Sudan as the 6th country with
a national access point. Information on SPS requirements for coffee, tea,
avocado and cocoa in the EU market have been updated.
1.43. At country level, MARKUP II completed a three-week training of 11
technicians (of which three women) on method for determination and
quantification of pesticides residues, sample preparation, cleanup and running
of samples and about the interpretation of results. The training held at the
chemical laboratory of Rwanda's National Agricultural Export Development Board,
included validation of analytical methods in pesticide residues determination,
related EU DG SANTE legislation, and measurement uncertainty calculation.
Standard operating procedure for performing the method describing the sample preparation,
necessary solution preparation and quality control criteria as well as
validation, and measurement uncertainty reports were developed for apple,
tomato and maize.
1.44. Events to raise and improve awareness regarding quality and food
safety were rolled out by teams of Quality Champions (trainers and advisors
trained and qualified under ITC implemented export quality management projects)
via national Quality Associations. The same teams are currently preparing to
further train and coach SMEs.
For more information, please contact:
Khemraj
Ramful, Senior Adviser, Export
Quality Management, ITC
Tel: +41 22 730
04 87
Fax: +41 22 730
05 76
E-mail: ramful@intracen.org
Hema Menon, Trade Training Officer, Export Quality Management, ITC
Tel: +41 22 730 05
84
Fax: +41 22 730 05 76
E-mail: menon@intracen.org
Website: http://www.intracen.org/
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