WTO Members Hold Consultations Over Implementation of MC12 SPS Agreement
World Trade Organization members held a second round of "consultations" Feb. 8-10 to discuss progress in implementing the work program of the 12th Ministerial Conference Sanitary and Phytosanitary Declaration, the WTO said. The members reaffirmed their commitment to boosting cooperation on addressing the challenges affecting food safety and animal and plant health while also promoting a more effective application of the deal.
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The SPS declaration's work program set up five groups: how to facilitate global food security and more sustainable food systems; how to root SPS measures in scientific evidence; how to boost the safe international trade in food, animals and plants via the adaptation of SPS measures to regional conditions; how to encourage cooperation with observer groups; and how to raise participation from and support of developing nations. WTO members heard reports from all five groups.
The next SPS committee week, to be held March 20-24, will feature meetings of the different thematic groups on the work program of the SPS declaration.