Various new and ongoing trade issues were discussed at a recent World Trade Organization (WTO) meeting that also covered the picture of notifications in 2024.

Attendees at the March meeting of the WTO Committee on Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) Measures addressed trade concerns related to food safety and animal and plant health.

Members raised 60 specific trade concerns (STCs), including six for the first time.

New topics related to delays in approval processes for market access; genetically modified organisms (GMOs); and animal diseases such as African swine fever and bird flu. Attention was also given to EU measures regarding pesticides, contaminants, endocrine disruptors, and veterinary medicinal products.

Highlighted trade topics
Two trade concerns involved the European Union and Australia. One was about Australia’s long approval procedures for market access applications while the other mentioned African swine fever. 

The United States raised the issue of Turkey’s ban on the import of live cattle. Argentina was unhappy about Japan’s restrictions on poultry meat while Korea highlighted delays by the Philippines in resuming imports of sterilized processed pork products.

Previously mentioned topics included Thailand’s suspension of exports of beef and edible offal from Brazil, restrictions by Hong Kong and China on spice imports from India because of ethylene oxide, and EU delays in renewing authorizations for fishery firms and fish products from Russia.

Import restrictions by China, Hong Kong and Russia on aquatic products from Japan after the discharge of Advanced Liquid Processing System (ALPS) treated water from the Fukushima nuclear plant was discussed for the fifth time.

The longest-running trade issue highlighted at the meeting was to do with general import restrictions due to BSE. It has been raised 53 times since June 2004.

Yearly situation and STDF strategy
According to the annual WTO SPS transparency report, a record 70 members submitted 2,147 notifications of new or modified SPS measures in 2024.

Four least developed countries — Uganda, Tanzania, Burundi, and Rwanda — were among the top 10 submitters of regular notifications. Cambodia raised its first SPS notification. The majority of regular notifications related to food safety, while 93 percent of emergency notifications referred to animal health. Brazil filed the most regular notifications in 2024 but Thailand raised the most emergency notifications.

Countries discussed a record 80 STCs, including 23 new concerns. In total, 21 members raised at least one STC and 41 STCs were reported as resolved.

Members also adopted the sixth review of the operation and implementation of the WTO SPS Agreement. 

Key recommendations include establishment of a transparency working group to look at areas such as how to improve SPS notifications and continued collaboration with the Codex Alimentarius Commission.

There was a call for dialogue and sessions on a variety of topics, including challenges and emerging risks, innovative approaches, digital tools, maximum residue limits, and the process for listing facilities that can export certain agricultural/food products.

Another development during the meeting was the launch of the Standards and Trade Development Facility (STDF) 2025 to 2030 strategy.

The program helps developing economies to meet international SPS standard and participate in global trade. Grace Mandigma, of the Bureau of Agriculture and Fisheries Standards in the Philippines, and Rommel Betancourt, of Ecuador’s Phyto and Zoosanitary Regulation and Control Agency, highlighted how the STDF’s work has strengthened SPS capacities in their regions.

“Global trade is evolving rapidly and we need innovative solutions that are both relevant and effective,” said Dr. Marie-Luise Rae, chair of the STDF working group. “The strategy provides a solid framework to tackle these challenges, ensuring our collective efforts continue to facilitate safer trade, making a real difference for farmers, businesses, and consumers worldwide.”

The next meeting of the SPS Committee is scheduled for June 16 to 20.

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