WTO Members Share Tools for Improving SPS Agreement Implementation
World Trade Organization members recently adopted “a range of tools and recommendations” that the body said will improve implementation of the Agreement on the Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) Measures. Those recommendations were outlined in two documents adopted by the SPS Committee, including one, G/SPS/67, that lists “existing tools and resources to enhance the implementation” of the SPS agreement for SPS approval procedures for food, animal and plant products, and another, G/SPS/68, that provides recommendations on SPS approval procedures.
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The WTO also said members are “encouraged” to “advance the implementation of Annex C of the SPS Agreement regarding control, inspection and approval procedures, with specific recommendations on transparency.” Recommendations include making the information available on official websites, using e-tools to issue clear and timely data, and notifying new or changed approval procedures. The next SPS Committee meeting is set for the week of July 10.