Standards and Trade STDF 2020-2023
Contribution ID : SE-0-SE-6-11700This website displays open data about Swedish aid, which shows when, to whom and for what purpose Swedish aid is paid out, as well as what results it has produced. This page contains information about one of the contributions financed with Swedish aid.
The overall objective of the intervention is to contribute to capacity and knowledge development in the field of SPS (Sanitary and phyto-Sanitary) and to support countries in their efforts to comply to international SPS norms and standards. Compliance to international norms will enhance the export potential of developing countries in safe food. It will con...
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The overall objective of the intervention is to contribute to capacity and knowledge development in the field of SPS (Sanitary and phyto-Sanitary) and to support countries in their efforts to comply to international SPS norms and standards. Compliance to international norms will enhance the export potential of developing countries in safe food. It will contribute to employment creation and income generation, namely in the agricultural sector. The majority of the beneficiaries are the least developing countries, in particular African countries. The STDF is a multi-stakeholder partnership which is supported by a number of bilateral agencies. Sida is one the funding partners. The STDF has delivered good results from previous Sida's support. Several external evaluations have confirmed the relevance and strategic role of the STDF. The STDF has well developed rules and regulations to ensure implementation and follow-up and reporting of results. The annual total budget requirement for the implementation of the STDF strategy is around 70 millions SEK. Sida's contribution is 10 Millions SEK per year and the remaining amount is financed by other bilateral and multi-lateral agencies, such as the UK, the Netherlands, Norway and the EU.
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Result
The poly-crises exposed the weaknesses of the global trading system and the importance of being able to adapt and be resilient during times of crisis. Despite challenges like disruptions in the food supply chain, trade restrictions on food exports, delays in training and increased production costs due to the need for additional safety equipment, STDF projects and project preparation grants (PPGs) worked to overcome these issues resulting in the successful completion of 13 projects and 10 PPGs across Africa, Asia and the Pacific, and Latin America and the Caribbean. Two ex-post project impact-evaluations were also finalised that captures effects some years after project closure. Below are a few examples of the results reported in 2023 from these projects that illustrates how STDF support contribute to safe trade and increased market access by addressing SPS-issues at both the global/normative [GLOB/NORM}, regional and national level [NAT/INST] through engagement of target groups, public institutions and private sector actors [MÅL/AKT]. A global system for Electronic Phytosanitary Certificates (ePhyto) The ePhyto project aimed to improve the capacity of countries to facilitate safe, secure and efficient trade in plants and plant products through the establishment of a global framework for electronic phytosanitary certification. The project developed the "ePhyto Solution" as an alternative to the practice of exchanging paper phytosanitary certificates (phytos) or achieving electronic certificate exchange via more costly and time-consuming bilateral agreements. It is noteworthy with respect to the project that OECD has estimated that the total value of exports for selected agri-food product groups (except for animal or vegetable fats and oils) could increase over a 2-year period by between 17% and 32% through implementation of SPS e-certificates. (OECD, Food, Agriculture and Fisheries Paper, n152, Digital Opportunities for Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) Systems and the Trade Facilitation Effects of SPS Electronic Certification, 2021, s. 34, DOX 15/000449-272) The ePhyto Solution, primarily funded by STDF and implemented by IPPC with the development and hosting support of UNICC, resulted in a global exchange system for electronic phytosanitary certificates (ePhytos), a generic application that could be used by government regulators in each country to issue, send and receive ePhytos (GeNS). The project was successfully completed in 2020 at a cost of about USD 1.7 million, and a connection was established between the ePhyto system and the EU Trade Control and Expert System (TRACES), which allows exporting countries to send their phytosanitary certificates to the EU electronically using the ePhyto Solution. Currently 125 countries are connected to the exchange hub with 76 of those regularly using the system to send, receive, or both send and receive ePhytos. The GeNS application has also been successfully implemented with 25 developing country partners currently using it to exchange phytos and another 22 currently testing. The evaluation determined that the ePhyto solution was successfully implemented and resulted in a number of SPS capacity, trade facilitation, and environmental benefits. Key findings include: The ePhyto solution is functional and successfully facilitates bilateral exchange of certificates as expected and with minimal on-going issues; The solution has added significant security to the process of plant trade, greatly reducing incidence of fraudulent certificates among countries using ePhyto; The ease of movement of ePhytos, relative to traditional paper phytosanitary certificates, has facilitated ease of trade for those countries using them, including in least developed country contexts, and reduced trade transaction costs. The ePhyto Solution is a good example of the STDF's role in driving catalytic SPS improvements in developing countries In summary, the ePhyto solution has successfully instituted a system and mechanism of exchange that is working, is steadily growing in both scope and scale (number of users and total use), has cost and time savings effects, increases plant trade security, and has demonstrated usability amongst developing nations. Source: Neil Pogorelsky, Ex Post Evaluation of ePhyto Solution: Enhancing Safe Trade in Plants and Plant Products (STDF/PG/504), STDF, 2023, s. iii-iv, 12, DOX 15/000449-271 Enhancing compliance with phytosanitary requirements in Ugandas fruit and vegetable sector In 2014, the European Union (EU) intercepted more than 80% of fresh fruit and vegetable exports from Uganda because they contained harmful organisms, including the false codling moth and fruit flies in capsicum and bitter gourd. This project financed by the STDF, the Royal Embassy of the Netherlands in Kampala and the Ugandan Government aimed to leverage partnerships between the public and private sectors and enhance compliance with phytosanitary measures to reduce the number of interceptions. The project successfully promoted public-private collaboration by establishing an SPS multi-stakeholder platform connecting individuals from government authorities, horticulture producers and industry associations to discuss partnerships and synergies in horticulture. The formation of HortiFresh, an apex industry association, will enable small producer and exporter groups to come together and improve collaboration and communication with the Department of Crop Inspection and Certification. More than 1,400 stakeholders including producers and government staff were trained on pest and disease management, food safety, and SPS export requirements. To speed up processes and improve accuracy and transparency, 25 plant health inspectors received tablets and computers to process electronic phytosanitary certificates (ePhytos). As a result, the percentage of incorrect or incomplete documents submitted for certification during the project decreased by 66%. Efficiencies derived through digitization resulted in more streamlined and transparent processes, enabling an increase in the number of exporters accredited from 67 in 2017 to 150 in 2022. After three years of implementation, the number of interceptions affecting capsicum decreased by more than 90%, from 72 in 2018 to three in 2022. These positive results catalysed an additional €8 million in EU investment to build capacity in Ugandas fruit and vegetable sector. Source: STDF, Annual report 2022, s. 27, DOX 15/000449-265 Piloting an improved animal identification and registration system in Mongolia Trading partners require up-to-date information on the health and origin of exported animals. An effective Animal Identification and Registration System (AIRS) is essential to deliver this data, as well as to manage animal health issues including zoonoses. Although the Mongolian government had invested significant funds in an AIRS, it was not operational or financially viable due to the absence of necessary regulations and standard operating procedures, inadequate human and financial resources, equipment and IT gaps, and coordination gaps. The project successfully delivered an operational AIRS, based on international standards and adapted to the Mongolian context, that is ready for scaling up. It includes an online database and mobile application for scanning ear tags. At the completion of the project, 195,000 animals had been registered. Regulations required for animal identification, registration and ear-tagging were updated and approved by ministerial decree. The AIRS was developed in close cooperation with the private sector, including private veterinarians and herders. It is designed to enable use by rural registrars who have limited Internet access. Registrars can store the collected data on their mobile phones while offline and upload it to the server when they have access to the Internet. More than 400 agricultural officers, veterinarians and herders were trained to use the new AIRS and ear-tag small ruminants such as sheep and cattle. The new system is expected to improve disease control and export certification, while contributing to better breeding programmes, improved rangeland management and reduced animal theft. The pilot provided a means to test and adapt the AIRS based on Mongolias unique situation, and to understand the prerequisites for a feasible and sustainable system. This will ensure a more cost-effective use of resources from national authorities and donors for upscaling and enhance sustainability. Source: STDF, Annual report 2022, s. 35, DOX 15/000449-265 Rolling out phytosanitary measures to expand market access in South America The Southern Cone region of South America is an important producer of agricultural produce and food, accounting for a sizeable proportion of regional and global agricultural trade. These countries produce, import and export significant quantities of plants and plant-related products. The main beneficiaries were the Regional Plant Health Committee (Comité de Sanidad Vegetal del Sur): COSAVE, and the National Plant Protection Organisations (NPPOs) of its seven member countries: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Paraguay, Peru and Uruguay. The Project was designed to help the seven Southern Cone countries to improve their phytosanitary management and implementation capacity and harmonise their approaches, with the aim of strengthening not just competence in implementing internationally agreed standards, but also trust in each others systems and thereby facilitate trade. The Project generated numerous positive impacts. It contributed to the STDF programme goal of "increased and sustainable SPS capacity in developing countries" by facilitating contacts, enhancing surveillance capacity, and providing the tools to analyse and respond to pest risks, thus contributing to safer internal and external trade. The resulting improvements in effectiveness and efficiency have helped COSAVE members maintain their phytosanitary status in the face of heightened risks and challenges due to covid-19, increased plant-based trade, new weeds and pests, climate change, e-commerce, contraband, etc. The project led to (1) dialogue at various levels, including with the private sector; (2) bilateral and national partnerships; and (3) collaboration among phytosanitary officers and higher authorities at the regional level. The improved competence, credibility and communications have had a positive effect on trade relations and border transactions. The valuation provides the following selected examples of expected and unexpected impacts: Greater appreciation of the key role of strong, transparent surveillance and competent, confident officers in trade negotiations and market access outcomes. More agile and streamlined bilateral phytosanitary relations and action, and less onerous border and internal procedures and bureaucracy due to greater trust, competence and contacts. Stronger input into trade negotiations due to improved phytosanitary capacity and data management. Stronger contribution to decision making thanks to more rigorous processes and more solid, reliable information. Improved interaction with the private sector and other stakeholders due to more confident, well-prepared technical officers, with a better understanding of their role. More efficient phytosanitary services doing more and better with fewer resources. Source: Andrea Spear, Ex-post Evaluation of the STD-project Rolling out Phytosanitary Measures to Expand Market Access in the Southern Cone Plant Health Committee Region STDF/PG/502 , STDF, 2023, s ii. DOX 15/000449-270
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