G/SPS/GEN/2155/Rev.1  
 
6 November 2023  
(23-7473) Page: 1/3 
Committee on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures    
 
SPS COMMITTEE THEMATIC SESSION ON RISK COMMUNICATION,  
MISINFORMATION AND DISINFORMATION  
TUESDAY, 14 NOVEMBER 202 3 
WTO, CENTRE WILLIAM RAPPARD, GENEVA  
PROGRAMME1 
Revision  
At its November 2022 meeting, the SPS Committee discussed holding a Thematic Session on 
Risk Communication, Misinformation and Disinformation on the margins of its November 2023 
Committee meeting, based on proposals submitted by the United States.2 
Building on the successful SPS Committee Workshop on Risk Analys is: Risk Assessment, 
Risk Management, and Risk Communication that was held on 12 -13 July 20213, the United States 
proposed a thematic session to further focus on SPS risk communication, with an emphasis on public 
perceptions of issues concerning food, tec hnology, health, and the environment. The United States 
argued that this was a topical, relevant theme for discussion by the SPS Committee, as regulators 
around the world were increasingly exposed to information from a multitude of sources, some of 
which m ay have specific biases or objectives that are not science -based or risk -based and do not 
contribute to the development of justified SPS measures. This thematic session will explore the 
concepts surrounding information manipulation and their relevance with in the context and 
implementation of the SPS Agreement. Speakers will focus on the evolution of misinformation and 
disinformation, including its possible effect on policy decisions, how it is being deployed around 
agricultural food safety issues, and how M embers can identify and address it at early stages.  
The thematic session will be held in Geneva, Switzerland, on Tuesday, 14 November 2023, beginning 
at 10:00 (CET), and continuing in the afternoon at 15:00 (CET) . The thematic session can be 
attended in pe rson or virtually via Zoom. Interpretation will be provided in English, French and 
Spanish.  
 
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1 This document has been prepared under the Secretariat's own responsibility and is without prejudice 
to the positions of Members or to their rights and obligations under the WTO.  
2 G/SPS/GEN/2067 , subsequently revised in document G/SPS/GEN/2067/Rev.1 . 
3 SPS Committee Workshop on Risk Analysis: Risk Assessment, Risk Management, and Risk 
Communic ation. G/SPS/GEN/2155/Rev.1  
 
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  Chairperson : Mr Tayutic Mena  Retana  
1  WHAT IS DISINFORMATION/MISINFORMATION?  
In this session , Members and industry  will discuss the origins of disinformation and misinformation 
with a view to understanding the ir significance  in society today. The speakers will explore the 
evolution of the use of misinformation and disinformation, and the challenges they pose to 
risk communication.  
▪ Mr Zbigniew Gniatkowski , Disinformation Response Officer, Directorate -General 
for Communication (DG COMM), European Commission, European Union . Challenges in 
times of disinformation and the EU 's measures to tackle it . 
▪ Ms Kirsten Grinter , Chair,  Alternative Proteins Council . Case study: Plant-based meat 
alternatives – the industry needs and the consum er experience . 
▪ Dr Pablo  Breuer , Co-Founder , DISARM Foundation . Introduction to disinformation and the 
DISARM Framework . 
Q&A session  
2  RELEVANCE TO SPS  
In this session, representatives of Members, industry, and academia will share their perspectives on 
current issues linked to consumer risk perception, disinformation/misinformation, and SPS risk 
management.  
▪ Ms Michelle Patel , Deputy Director, Analysis and Insight , Food Standards Agency for 
England, Wales and Northern Ireland , United Kingd om. Trustworthiness . 
▪ Mr Lamin Jaiteh , Principal Scientific Officer, F ood Safety and Quality Authority, 
The Gambia. Gambia 's experience on misinformation/disinformation related to food safety 
issues . 
▪ Mr Alejandro Rodarte , Senior Manager of Food Safety, Research and Innovation, 
FoodDrinkEurope. FoodDrinkEurope actions in food safety and the role of communication . 
▪ Dr Carl Blackburn , Food Irradiation Specialist , Joint FAO/IAEA  Centre of Nuclear 
Techniques in Food and Agricul ture. Irradiated food . 
▪ Dr William Hallman , Professor , Rutgers University. The psychology of risk perception, 
misinformation, disinformation, and SPS risk management.  
Q&A session  
3  HOW DID WE GET HERE AND WHAT DO WE DO NOW?  
This session will provide examples from Members, industry, and consumer organizations,  of the 
evolution and effects of SPS misinformation and disinformation , and strategies for addressing these 
issues, including roles and responsibilities, communicating with factcheckers, weaponization of 
information, social media influencers, and communicating proactively.  
▪ Dr Nurjanah , Chief of Seed Importation, Centre for Plant Quarantine and Biosafety, 
Indonesia Quarantine Auth ority, Indonesia. Indonesia 's experience on risk communication : 
Misinformation and disinformation . 
▪ Mr James Ramsay , Head of Unit, Communications, European Food Safety Authority, 
European Union. Use of societal insights in risk communication: An evidence -based approach 
by the European Food Safety Authority . G/SPS/GEN/2155/Rev.1  
 
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  ▪ Ms Nicole McKenzie , Acting Section Head of Science Communication, Pest Management 
Regulatory Agency, Health Canada, Canada. A public trust case study: Communicating about 
maximum residue limits. 
▪ Ms Marcela Cerda , Journalist and Head of the Communications Department , Agricultural 
and Livestock Service , Chile.  Communication: A key to the outcome of an emergency . 
▪ Ms Léa Auffret , Senior International Affairs Officer, The European Consumer Organisation; 
and Ms Isabelle Buscke , Head of the EU Liaison Office, Federation of German Consumer 
Organisations. The perspective of EU consumer organisations on misinformation and 
disinformation around food . 
▪ Ms Melissa San Miguel , President, Red Flag. Examples of misinformation/disinformation 
undermining good regulation and science : A public relations and risk communication 
perspective . 
▪ Mr Aaron Lavallee , Deputy Assistant Administrator, Food Safety  and Inspection Service  
(FSIS) , Uni ted States . Navigating misinformation and disinformation in food safety 
communications . 
Q&A session  
4  DISCUSSION – NEXT STEPS  
This session will be an open discussion on next steps.  
5  CLOSING REMARKS  
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