Standards and Trade Development Facility (STDF)

Standards and Trade Development Facility (STDF) Study on National SPS Coordination Mechanisms in Africa – preliminary recommendations WTO Workshop on SPS Coordination at National and Regional Levels 17 October 2011, Geneva

Background • SPS management capacity and compliance depend on coordinated action by wide range of public, private and other stakeholders (PPP) • National SPS coordination mechanisms (“committees”) (being) established in Africa - often driven by projects (e.g. PAN-SPSO), regional SPS frameworks (RECs)

Objectives • Analyse existing national SPS committees (survey, e-mail communication, interviews, desk research) • Identify practical recommendations to enhance development, performance and sustainability of SPS committees NB: Draft study prepared in collaboration with UK Natural Resources Institute (NRI) and to be finalized in 2011 taking into account discussions at WTO workshop

Outcomes (1) • Only one country (out of 17) rates SPS committee as “satisfactory” • Unclear organizational mandates • Out-dated legislation • Limited SPS awareness at all levels • Inadequate resources • Lack of trust, transparency • Difficulties in involving private sector (and academia, consumer organizations, etc.)

Outcomes (2) • High diversity in objectives, functions, scope, members, legal status, frequency of meetings, communication methods, funding, etc. • No “one size/type fits all” solution • Six preliminary recommendations

1. Raise SPS awareness • Organize high-level SPS stakeholder event (in collaboration with WTO, REC, other development partners, etc.) to define objectives and scope • Show economic impact of potential measures on trade and wider economy

2. Clarify organizational mandates • Integrate SPS coordination in SPS policy and review/ update legislation • “Formalize” SPS committees (where necessary and appropriate) NB: Lengthy process, should not be an excuse for putting coordination on hold

3. Build on existing mechanisms • Resource limitations • Committees, working groups, taskforces on food safety, animal/plant health, specific sectors or commodities • National Codex Committees • Kenya Horticulture Taskforce • Mango Taskforce in Mali • Existing mechanisms facilitate private sector participation

4. Follow “good meeting practices” • Appoint Secretariat / Chair • Establish terms of reference / operational procedures • Prepare agenda, circulate documents before and after meetings, allow time for comments, prepare minutes, etc.

5. Establish clear and effective communication strategy • Use media and other existing tools (including SPS-IMS, STDF) • Consider creation of web-based SPS information network/ portal connecting wide variety of stakeholders (NNA, NEP, Codex/IPPC/OIE contact points, private sector associations, etc.) (STDF/PG/19) • Consider broadening scope to all standards affecting trade in agricultural products (including TBT / private standards)

6. Promote sustainability • Ownership and commitment • Formalization of “SPS committee” • Practical and workable design and structure • Resources (government budget vs. external funds) • Training / capacity building

For more information: Standards and Trade Development Facility (STDF) World Trade Organization Centre William Rappard Rue de Lausanne 154 CH-1211 Geneva Switzerland STDFSecretariat@wto.org melvin.spreij@wto.org www.standardsfacility.org

Standards and Trade Development Facility (STDF)