WTO Members Discuss Proposals for Review of SPS Agreement

World Trade Organization members attending the June 25-28 Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures Committee meeting discussed 21 proposals for the sixth review of the operation and implementation of the WTO Agreement on the Application of SPM. The proposal covered topics such as "addressing modern challenges and emerging risks, voluntary third-party assurance programmes, regionalization, technology, transparency, and maximum residue levels," the WTO said.

Members hope to wrap up the review by March 2025, with "recommendations being developed in the interim," the WTO said.

The meeting also featured a thematic session on the "uptake of digital tools," and in particular the "electronic phytosanitary certificate solution developed by the International Plant Protection Convention." Members discussed how e-certificates can address fraud and corruption, increase trade reliability, save costs and boost sustainability, the WTO said.

Members also discussed 53 specific trade concerns and adopted a report on the SPS Declaration Work Programme that "responds to the challenges and opportunities facing international trade in food, animal and plant products." The report highlights the need to align SPS measures with "international standards and scientific principles" when addressing new challenges.

The committee will hold an informal meeting in September to conduct more work on the sixth review. Its next full committee meeting, Nov. 11-15, will feature thematic sessions on "emerging risks and modern challenges and on Codex guidelines for voluntary third-party assurance programmes."