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Side Events

30 September 2007

Standards and Trade Development Facility Workshop [ PDF ]

Making market access opportunities a reality means complying with a growing body of non-tariff requirements. These requirements may be legal obligations or commercial realities. Particularly difficult can be standards related to the complex area of food safety, animal and plant health (collectively known as sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) measures). Compliance with SPS measures is becoming an increasingly important determinant in market access, not just into developed country markets, but also in regional trade relations. The fall-out from health scares related to food and feedstuffs can have global and long-lasting negative consequences.

The Standards and Trade Development Facility (STDF) workshop will bring together senior officials concerned with SPS compliance and trade, key donors and private sector representatives. The focus will be to look at the role of SPS capacity building in promoting the integration of developing countries into world trade. The side event will have a regional focus, looking in detail at three countries from the East African Community (Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania), but the conclusions which will be drawn should have significance for African countries as a whole.

The STDF workshop is open to all participants of the main Aid for Trade event.

Objectives:

  • Underline the importance of SPS compliance for market access
  • Identify capacity building needs in three case study countries
  • Highlight the evolving nature of official and commercial standards in the SPS area
  • Survey the provision of SPS-related technical assistance in case study countries
  • Examine how best to foster good practice and bridge the gap between needs and the provision of assistance
  • Set out further steps to galvanize interest and resources on SPS-related technical assistance
 
The Role of SPS Capacity Building in Promoting the Integration of Developing Countries into World Trade: The Case of the East African Community [PDF]


09:00 - 09:15

Opening Remarks

09:15 - 09-35
Session 1: Addressing the challenge of the increasing importance of SPS measures on international trade


The impact of SPS measures on international trade is significant and will continue to grow as consumers in both developed and developing country markets strive for increased food safety. Thus, enhanced market access opportunities for developing countries most frequently need to be accompanied by a targeted effort to increase capacity to address SPS issues as part of a broader strategy to improve competitiveness and modernize agri-food chains. This session will look at the increasing importance of SPS measures within international trade and the challenges faced by developing countries in addressing SPS issues within a broader development strategy.

Speaker: OIE Representative

09:35 - 11:00
Session 2: Strengthening the demand side - SPS needs in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda

Various needs assessments in the area of SPS have been performed for Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda. This session will examine these assessments, identifying the most pressing challenges and limitations faced by these countries as an example of the concerns that developing countries need to address in order to increase their participation in export markets. The discussion will look at the way in which these countries have integrated their SPS capacity building needs into broader national strategies for enhancing competitiveness.

Moderator: FAO representative

Presentation: Dr. Spencer Henson

Panel discussion: Senior officials of Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda, AU-IBAR

Break

11:15 - 12:45

Session 3: The view from the private sector

The perspective of the private sector from both developing and developed countries is essential in identifying needs based on actual challenges faced by producers and key demands from consumers. This session will present the views of producers from Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda, a standard setting body and major retailers. The discussion will look at the benefits and challenges of integrating the private sector views in SPS needs assessments.

Moderator: KEPHIS representative

Panel discussion: Industry representatives, a private standards-setting body and a supermarket chain

Lunch break

12.45 - 14.15

Session 4: Assessing the supply side of SPS related assistance - Compilation of selected donors' assistance in East African countries


14.15-16.00

EAC countries have received assistance on SPS issues in the past five years. A compilation of the assistance provided by all donors will be presented. The discussion will then aim at identifying areas where assistance has been provided, assess the impact of that assistance and identify priority areas where assistance is still required. The discussion will be placed in the context of broader assistance strategies for Kenya, Tanzania and. The view from the perspective of donors will complement the discussion.

Moderator: OECD representative

Presentation: Dr. Peter Brattinga

Panel discussion: Senior officials form Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda ; donor representatives (USAID, DFID, EC, NEPAD)

Break

16.15-17.30
Session 5: Bridging the gap between supply and demand - Lessons learnt from existing processes


Strengthening the link between needs and the future supply of technical assistance is key to maximizing the positive impact of technical assistance. Adequate identification and surveying of needs, good practice in the delivery of technical assistance and consistent follow-up are essential in promoting that link. The discussion will focus on how to do it, that is, concrete ways by which the needs of the Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda. can be synchronized with the future supply of technical assistance in the SPS area and that response co-ordinated to avoid duplication of effort.

Moderator: Economic Commission for Africa representative

Panel discussion: FAO, KEPHIS, COMESA, African Union representatives, Enhanced Integrated Framework Secretariat

17:30 - 17:45

Closing remarks: WTO representative

For more information, contact:

Mr Michael Roberts
Counsellor
Agriculture and Commodities Division
World Trade Organization
Tel: 00 41 22 739 5747
Fax: 00 41 22 739 5760
Email: michael.roberts@wto.org

 

 


United Nations Economic Commission For Africa
African Development Bank Group

World Trade Organization

  Links
Standards and Trade Development Facility
World Trade Organization
Food and Agriculture Organization
World Health Organization
World Organization for Animal Health
World Bank
OECD background information