sanitary & phytosanitary measures

Thematic Session on Procedure to Monitor the Process of International Harmonization

Geneva

The thematic session will be held on 2 November 2021 as agreed by the SPS Committee in July 2021. A proposed programme was circulated in document G/SPS/GEN/1966, based on the proposal submitted by New Zealand in document G/SPS/GEN/1915.

The WTO SPS Agreement places considerable importance on international harmonization by encouraging Members to harmonize their measures, to the maximum extent possible, with the standards, guidelines and recommendations established by the relevant international standard-setting bodies. Under the Agreement, SPS measures which conform to international standards shall be deemed to be necessary to protect human, animal or plant life or health. The SPS Committee has an important role in monitoring the process of international harmonization in close collaboration with the relevant international standard-setting bodies. The thematic session will provide an opportunity for Members of the WTO to exchange views and review progress with international harmonization.

The report is contained in Annex B of document G/SPS/R/104.

1. RELEVANT PROVISIONS OF THE SPS AGREEMENT, WORK OF THE SPS COMMITTEE AND RELEVANT DISPUTE SETTLEMENT REPORTS

Speaker:

Followed by Q&A session and discussion

2. INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS AND MONITORING HARMONIZATION

International standard-setting bodies: their priorities and interest; their initiatives to monitor the implementation of international standards, guidelines and recommendations; and the financial, technical, and human resources required, as well as the support provided to Members to meet the harmonization provisions of the SPS Agreement.

Speakers:

  • Mr Michael Ennis, Consultant, Codex Secretariat. Designing a monitoring framework for Codex standards
    Presentation
  • Mr Gaspar Avendaño, Technical Coordinator, the OIE Observatory, OIE. The OIE Observatory
    Presentation
  • Dr Adriana G. Moreira, IPPC Standard Setting Officer (FAO Agricultural Officer), IPPC Secretariat. The IPPC and international harmonization of standards: An overview.
    Presentation

Followed by Q&A session and discussion

3. REGIONAL INITIATIVES

Regional/cross border cooperation and regional or economic bodies, which are currently pursuing harmonization of SPS measures.

Speakers:

  • Mr Raúl Peralta Girón, Regional Director for Food Safety, OIRSA. Harmonized regional guide to good risk-based agricultural practices.
    Presentation

Followed by Q&A session and discussion

4. NATIONAL INITIATIVES

Members will share their technical approaches and experiences with regard to harmonizing with international standards and challenges faced when harmonizing SPS measures.

Speakers:

  • Dr Bill Jolly, Chief Assurance Strategy Officer, Market Access, Ministry for Primary Industries, New Zealand. New Zealand's experience with international harmonization.
    Presentation
  • Ms Edith Villanueva Huamán, Food Safety Expert, General Directorate of Environmental Health and Food Safety (DIGESA), Peru. Harmonization of the national regulatory framework with Codex standards and guidelines, and other regulations. G/SPS/GEN/1966
    Presentation
  • Mr Sam Bishop, Head of International Plant Health Policy and Risk Co-ordination, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), United Kingdom. Utilizing International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures to shape national legislation and decisionmaking processes.
    Presentation
  • Ms Sarah O'Rourke, Senior Trade Policy Analyst, Trade Agreements Division, Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), Canada. Canada's experiences with harmonization to international standards, guidelines and recommendations
    Presentation

Followed by Q&A session and discussion

5. CLOSING REMARKS

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