STDF's global platform shares knowledge on SPS capacity building: 
latest Working Group held on 29-30 October
STDF’s October Working Group gathered together over 50 agriculture, health and trade experts from partners, donors, developing country experts and a wider network of international and regional organizations, and the private sector. The discussions spanned the latest SPS topics, with Good Regulatory Practice, facilitating safe trade and Public Private Partnerships moving to the top of STDF's agenda for 2019. 
Trending topics
 
• The safe food imperative – World Bank Group highlighted the economic case for improving food safety for domestic markets and trade, proposing smarter investment avenues, according to the findings of their latest study supported by U.S. FDA. 

• Trade and natural disasters – WTO shared ongoing research supported by Australia, looking at the link to SPS issues. 

• Gender and SPS measures – ICTSD presented the case for gender mainstreaming from its study supported by Australia. 

• Developing national SPS systems – SPS expert, Kees Van Der Meer, showcased good practices in preparing SPS action plans.

• Spillovers of SPS capacity building – Michigan State University discussed findings from a PPG on how trade-related projects affect the domestic situation, and recommendations for more co-benefits. 
Upcoming projects
 
4 projects and 4 project preparation grants were approved with STDF funding of US$2,297,972. 

New STDF projects
  • Burkina Faso – addressing aflatoxin challenges in maize for export and domestic markets
  • India – upgrading food safety management in selected spice value chains
  • Kyrgyz Republic – helping public and private sector address food safety for regional markets 
  • Uganda – improving SPS compliance of fruit and vegetable exports
New STDF project preparation grants
  • Africa and Latin America – developing projects on third party assurance programmes, linked to Codex 
  • Asia – developing a collaborative, regional framework on bio-pesticides
  • Niue – assessing the SPS needs to promote safe bees export
New STDF briefing on environment
 
STDF’s briefing ‘Promoting safe trade, protecting the environment’ is now online. Find out how SPS measures protect the environment. See how STDF projects help small-scale farmers to use non-toxic inputs for safe trade, develop knowledge solutions and connect SPS and environmental agencies. 
DOWNLOAD
An External Evaluation of STDF by Nathan Associates is underway. On the margins of the Working Group, the team spoke to STDF’s global partnership about its work, results and performance. Coming up next are country visits to Guatemala and Uganda, and a deep dive analysis on key topics. The final evaluation report, due by March 2019, will support STDF’s strategy for 2020 and beyond.
Identifying key global actions and strategies for the future of food safety
   Save the date for: 
Get in touch at STDFSecretariat@wto.org to share experiences and lessons at the next Working Group on 12-14 March 2019.
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