This contribution to the Standards and Trade Development Facility (STDF) will help developing and least-developed countries (LDCs) improve their sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) capacity and access agricultural markets.

WTO Director-General Roberto Azevêdo said: “Germany’s donation will help developing countries to implement food safety, animal health and plant health standards so that they can participate more actively in world trade. This is essential work and I welcome Germany’s continuous generosity.”

Germany’s WTO Ambassador, Walter Werner, said: “Exports of agricultural products are important for improving well-being and wealth in developing countries. Through our contribution, we seek to help exporters in these countries implement food safety standards so as to find new markets. High food standards are essential for consumers across the world.”

Germany is the fourth largest contributor to this fund in 2016. Since 2002, Germany has donated to the various WTO trust funds a total of over CHF 25 million.

The STDF is a global partnership working to increase awareness, mobilize resources, strengthen collaboration, identify and disseminate good practice and provide support and funding for the development and implementation of projects that promote compliance with international SPS requirements.