PRESS RELEASE
TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE
Canada gives CAD 250,000 to boost safe food
exports from developing economies
The Government of Canada is contributing CAD 250,000 (approximately CHF
160,000) to the Standards and Trade Development Facility (STDF) to help
developing economies and least developed countries (LDCs) meet international
food safety, animal and plant health standards for trade.
WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala said: "We deeply
appreciate Canada's support to the STDF, which underscores a shared commitment
to assisting developing and least developed countries in meeting crucial
international standards for food safety, animal, and plant health. The donation
not only bolsters the STDF's vital work but also plays a pivotal role in
fostering global trade by ensuring a level playing field. Such collaboration
enhances trade opportunities, fosters economic growth, and ensures a safer,
more resilient global food system."
Canada's Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food Lawrence MacAulay said: "We
will continue to work with our partners around the world to support
international food safety, animal and plant health, while promoting a fair,
transparent and competitive global marketplace. This investment will allow more
countries to meet international standards that will help them access trading
markets and build a stronger, more resilient future."
Canada's contribution will help to pilot innovative sanitary and
phytosanitary (SPS) capacity development projects across Africa, Asia-Pacific,
Latin America and the Caribbean and to build SPS expertise that contributes to
safeguarding local public health and facilitating safe trade.
Overall, Canada has contributed close to CHF 7.5 million to the STDF
since 2005, including this latest contribution.
Developing economies and least developed countries are encouraged to
apply to the STDF for SPS project and project preparation grants. The next
deadline for submission of funding proposals is 2 August 2024. Information
on how to apply is available here.
To date, the STDF has funded more than 250 projects benefiting LDCs and
other developing economies.
The
STDF is a global multi-stakeholder partnership to facilitate safe and inclusive
trade, established by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United
Nations,
the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH), the World Bank Group,
the World Health Organization (WHO) and the WTO, which houses and manages the
partnership.
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