G/SPS/W/349  
 
23 January 2024  
(24-0491) Page: 1/2 
Committee on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures  Original: English  
 
SIXTH  REVIEW OF THE OPERATION AND IMPLE MENTATION OF THE AGREEMENT  
ON THE APPLICATION OF SANITARY AND PHYTOSANITARY MEASURES  
AGRICULTURE TECHNOLOGIES ADDRESSING MODERN SPS CHALLENGES  
PROPOSAL FROM CANADA  
The following proposal, dated 22 January 2024, is being circulated at the request of the delegation 
of Canada . 
 
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1  CONCEP T 
1.1.  The SPS Declaration work programme on Responding to Modern SPS Challenges identified 
the need for science and research  to develop and disseminate new agriculture technologies to foster 
the shift to sustainable agricultural production. The SPS measures resulting from these new 
technologies should be consistent with standards, guidelines and recommendations of the 
internati onal standard setting bodies and not inhibit trade.  
1.2.  A key cornerstone of agriculture has been innovation with thousands of developments from 
early cultivation, the enclosure of animals, mechanization, and the use of artificial fertilizer and 
chemicals to name a few. Technology, including applications relevant to agriculture, has rapidly 
evolved over the past few decades.  
1.3.  This concept is to propose a workshop to explore SPS challenges associated with the 
adoption/implementation and recognition of new agriculture technologies, including available 
infrastructure, technical literacy, implementation costs, and regulatory acceptance. Specific topics 
may include: mitigating the impact of climate change with tools and technologies in agriculture, 
how to sustainably increase production (e.g., vertical farming), emerging technologies (e.g., AI in 
agriculture), policy challenges when developing/implementing innovative agricultural tools, etc. 
Participants may include academia, research and development comp anies, government officials and 
producers.  
2  OBJECTIVE  
2.1.  The objective of the workshop would be to explore how the SPS Committee can facilitate 
productive discussions between developed, developing and least developed Members around the 
development, assessment and implementation of new agricultural technologies b y Members to 
address sustainability, while facilitating trade.  
2.2.  It is essential for Members to develop SPS measures that adhere to the obligations under the 
SPS Agreement, while facilitating agri -food trade and the safety/health of food plant and animals. 
The changes in global climate, including increasing temperatures and more extreme weather events 
are likely to shift agro -climatic zones and result in the wider distribution of vectors of disease. This  is 
already being seen in the dramatic spread of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza across various 
regions of the globe. These increases in pest and disease pressures are expected to directly threaten 
human health as well as jeopardize agricultural productivity. This  has the potential to lead to food 
security is sues for Members who produce agricultural products, as well as Members who import 
agricultural products. The pace of innovation and the recognition of new technologies to address G/SPS/W/349  
 
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  these modern challenges must be commensurate with the pace of environmental c hanges to ensure 
Members the abilities to adapt effectively and remain sustainable. With this, the SPS Committee 
must remain agile and aid in the discussion of technologies, their benefits and risks, and allow for 
substantive discussions on the implementat ion of these innovations to meet the evolving needs of 
Members.  
3  EXAMPLE OF AREAS FOR CONSIDERATION  
• Article 6 - Adaptation to Regional Conditions, Including Pest - or Disease -Free Areas and Areas 
of Low Pest or Disease Prevalence. How does adaption facilitat e the spread of pests not 
traditionally found in an area given the changing climate?  
o How does the SPS Agreement address increased uncertainty of food safety, animal and 
plant health issues in the context of climate change?  
• Article 7 – Reviewing the notific ation process to ensure Members have the opportunity to 
comment on potential barriers to the adoption of new technologies . 
• Article 9 – Sharing information on agricultural innovations, how they can promote sustainable 
development and ways to further engage LDCs in the SPS Committee in relation to the unique 
challenges faced by them. SPS capacity building at a regional level to further the development 
of sustainable agricultural practices and facilitating international trade.  
o Take account of the expected impa ct of climate change and the ways in which it is likely to 
exacerbate differences in the quality of SPS management across countries.  
o Considering the higher risk for emerging SPS risks linked to rising temperatures and 
extreme weather events. E.g., aflatoxi n contamination: Rising temperatures are expected 
to increase aflatoxin contamination in countries with warmer climates . 
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