SPS assistance for development: the case for French - speaking Africa

WTO
27 March 2017 

Session organized jointly by the Permanent Missions 
of Canada and France, and the STDF

Objective

This session, attended by over 70 participants, explored a wide array of outcomes resulting from selected STDF projects. These outcomes ranged from improved SPS capacity in countries, to increased agricultural exports, to long-term positive impacts that go over and above the intended results of the projects. The session took stock of good practice identified in these projects to inform and enhance future SPS capacity building projects. A detailed background note for this session is available here.

A WTO news item on this session is available here.

Selected STDF projects

Lessons learned from the "SPS Cocoa Africa" project implemented in West Africa were presented, with the overall idea to examine links between SPS issues and sustainable use of resources. Specifically, this project raised awareness of operators in the cocoa sector on the fact that the benefits of adopting sustainable agricultural practices (such as integrated pest management) are not limited only to harvesting a safe and good quality product but additionally they guarantee the longevity of plantations, thereby protecting the long-term revenue of producers.

Drawing on the case of a West African project in the artisanal fishing sector, the session examined how a project to develop SPS capacity can incorporate a gender inclusive approach. In West Africa, women sell 80% of fish and seafood, which provides for upto 80% of animal protein consumed by coastal countries. Yet women's work is less well remunerated and their contribution to the economy, employment and to food security not adequately recognized. The STDF project is working toward strengthening and "structuring" women's participation in the sector through their systemic involvement in post-capture activities.

Finally, the last session highlighted how implementation of an STDF project by the Association of Horticultural Unions of the Niayes Region (AUMN) enhanced the quality and safety of cabbage in Senegal. This also resulted in AUMN becoming a key partner for the national SPS authorities regarding issues related to development of the horticultural sector as a whole.

Programme

13:00 - 13:30 

Buffet Lunch 

13:30 - 13:35

Opening: Introduction and objectives of the session (5 min)

Mr Jean‑Marie Paugam, Permanent Delegate of France to the WTO

13:35 - 13:50 

Case 1: 

Phytosanitary risk control in cocoa plantations to ensure sustainable production and consumer health protection (15 min)

Mr Laurent Pipitone, Executive Director of the International Cocoa Organization (ICCO)

13:50 - 14:05

Case 2

Promoting the empowerment of women involved in the small‑scale fishing sector through SPS‑related capacity building (15 min)- presentation 1 and 2

Mr Raymond Tavares, Task Manager, United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO)

Mrs Marie‑Zado Guilavogui (Guinea)

14:05 - 14:20 

Case 3

Strengthening clusters of small‑scale producers through greater involvement in the implementation of SPS‑related technical assistance projects (15 min)

Mr Mamadou Ndiaye, Coordinator of the Association of Horticultural Unions of the Niayes Region (AUMN)

14: 20 - 14: 55

Discussion with audience

14: 55 - 15: 00

Conclusion(5 min)

Mr Jonathan T. Fried, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Canada to the World Trade Organization

Session moderator: Mrs Julie Emond, First Secretary (Trade and Development), Permanent Mission of Canada to the WTO.

Background note

A detailed background note for this session is available here.

Podcast

Podcast of this session will be available shortly.