The effects of climate change on food safety, animal and plant health risks is a relatively new area of study. However, the evidence from recent studies is clear, climate change is one of several global change factors that are contributing to increased and new food safety, animal and plant risks.
Exploring the Impact of Climate Change on the Global Food System: During Climate Change Week at the STDF, a series of four inter-connected webinars brought together partners and stakeholders on the ground to explore the impact of climate change on sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) issues, and identify opportunities to respond to emerging risks and facilitate safe trade. For more information on each session, including speakers and topic angles, visit the webinar webpage. An overview of climate change-related work by the STDF and its partners is available HERE.
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Climate change, sanitary and phytosanitary measures and agricultural trade: The STDF has contributed to this background paper by FAO for the State of Agricultural Commodity Markets (SOCO) 2018. The paper sets out the linkages between climate change, agricultural trade and SPS measures and key recommendations on how to overcome the SPS threats posed by climate change.Â
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- Publication on climate change and trade: This paper seeks to raise awareness about issues related to SPS risks and standards in the context of agri-food trade and climate change. It analyses the scientific understanding of the relationship between climate change, food safety, plant pests, animal diseases and trade, and it identifies and discusses four key areas for future policy consideration, notably risk assessment, SPS capacity in developing countries, climate change resilience and basic research challenges.
Read STDF's latest briefing note calling for stronger SPS systems to mitigate and adapt to climate change.