SIXTH REVIEW OF
THE OPERATION AND IMPLEMENTATION OF THE AGREEMENT
ON
THE APPLICATION OF SANITARY AND PHYTOSANITARY MEASURES
amended
proposals
PROPOSAL from the UNITED KINGDOM
The following proposal, received on 19 April 2024, is being circulated at the request of the delegation of the United
Kingdom.
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1 INTRODUCTION
1.1. Following the presentation and
discussion of proposals for the Sixth Review of the Operation
and Implementation of the WTO SPS Agreement at the informal meeting of 20
March 2024, and having considered the contributions of other Members made at
that time, the United Kingdom has amended their proposals. In the interest of
supporting the efficient operation of the Committee, the United Kingdom would like to withdraw our previous
proposals and submit the streamlined proposals below for consideration.
1.2. The United Kingdom recognizes that
other proposals may be submitted by Members for 19 April deadline. We want to ensure a
collaborative approach to the refinement, consolidation and finalization of
proposals covering similar topics or themes and plan on reaching out to Members
with corresponding suggestions shortly.
2 AMENDED UK PROPOSALS FOR TOPICS TO
BE CONSIDERED UNDER THE Sixth REVIEW OF THE OPERATION AND IMPLEMENTATION OF
THE WTO AGREEMENT ON THE APPLICATION OF SPS MEASURES
2.1 Explore how to further enhance
effective utilisation of existing flexibilities and support for developing and
least developed countries on the development and application of SPS measures to
build on the MC13 SPS and TBT Declaration.
2.1. In light of the recent MC13 S&DT
Declaration - and - building on the relevant workstream from the MC12 SPS
Declaration work programme (group 5) - we believe the Committee should further
consider ways to enhance accessibility and effective utilisation of existing
flexibilities within the SPS Agreement that support developing and
LDC Members to engage and benefit from international trade. (Relevant SPS
Agreement Article 9: Technical Assistance, and Article 10: Special and
Differential Treatment). Recognizing the fundamental importance of
contributions from developing and least developed countries into any
discussions on this topic, the United Kingdom proposes the Committee continue the
work on exploring how the existing flexibilities in the SPS Agreement
could be used more efficiently, with a focus on sharing and exploring best
practices.
2.2 Review and promote the role of
electronic/IT technologies ranging from but not limited to electronic
certifications, ePhyto system, ePing SPS&TBT
Platform, remote audits
and verifications; and virtual communication tools to aid the effective
application and operation of SPS measures to facilitate trade and support the
functioning of the SPS Committee by enabling more effective
information sharing between Members
2.2. We propose a theme that explores in
more detail the role of electronic tools and techniques that can be employed to
aid the application of SPS measures, including ensuring that cost and ease of
implementation do not create undue barriers to trade (for developing and LDC
countries in particular). (Relevant SPS Agreement Article 8: Control,
Inspection and Approval Procedures and Article 9: Technical Assistance).
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