STANDARDS AND TRADE DEVELOPMENT FACILITY

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As a global partnership, the STDF helps developing countries access international markets by addressing gaps in domestic sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) practices and promoting food safety, animal and plant health.

In 2017, with the support of 11 donors, the STDF approved nine projects and seven preparation grants, with 70% of resources going to help least developed countries (LDCs) and other low-income countries. Examples include supporting livestock producers in Ethiopia, opening up opportunities for Zambia to export plant-based products, and developing the cocoa value chain in Papua New Guinea.

During the year, the STDF led efforts to help developing countries benefit more from new technology through a global dialogue on electronic SPS certification and its role in facilitating safe trade held in July 2017 at the Aid for Trade Global Review and the ePhyto project. The STDF's role in catalysing public-private sector collaboration on maximum residue levels in pesticides in Africa, Latin America and Southeast Asia was also recognized in a joint ministerial statement by 17 countries at the 11th WTO Ministerial Conference, held in Buenos Aires in December 2017.

The STDF report shows how good practices in food safety, animal and plant health have been helping small-scale farmers and processors in developing countries participate in trade to improve their livelihoods. New safe trade opportunities are supporting the Sustainable Development Goals including on zero hunger, decent work and economic growth and partnerships for achieving the goals. Women have been involved in many of the success stories, from shrimp farmers in Bangladesh and ginger cooperatives in Nepal to small-scale fishing in West Africa. 

"The Annual Report shows that building SPS capacity enables more people to benefit from trade," said Melvin Spreij, head of the STDF Secretariat. "This not only gives a boost to the economy, it drives up incomes in poor areas, promotes domestic food security, protects the environment, improves public health and empowers women. Mobilizing resources from governments, donors and the private sector has helped to sustain impacts even further," he added.

The STDF Annual report can be downloaded here.

Established by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the World Bank Group, the World Health Organization (WHO), the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) and the WTO, the STDF is financed by voluntary contributions. The WTO houses the STDF secretariat and manages the STDF Fund.

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