Germany’s Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development is contributing Euro 2.85 million to the Standards and Trade Development Facility over a period of four years (2022-2025).
The fund is to facilitate safe and inclusive agricultural trade in developing and least-developed countries aimed at helping them to meet international food safety, animal, and plant health standards.
The World Trade Organisation Director-General, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala was quoted in a statement as saying, “I thank Germany for its generous and longstanding support to developing countries and LDCs in strengthening their compliance with sanitary and phytosanitary measures.
“When farmers are empowered to meet these standards, it improves access to global and regional markets, paving the way for increased sales and incomes. Enhanced SPS capacity also means more sustainable, resilient food systems, which contributes to food security at home and globally”.
Germany’s Ambassador to the WTO, Dr. Bettina Waldmann, said: “More than ever, it is time to show that WTO members help each other to fulfil their obligations, strengthen their know-how and further develop their trade capacities. Germany is pleased to see the STDF working fruitfully in the interest of all, enhancing everybody’s health and promoting sustainable agriculture”.
She said: “Developing countries and LDCs are encouraged to apply to the STDF for SPS project and project preparation grants. The next deadline for submission of funding proposals is 24th February 2023″.
She stated that Germany contributed €150,000 to the STDF in 2022 through its Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture.
