G/SPS/GEN/2028  
 
31 May 2022 
(22-4113) Page: 1/4 
Committee on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures  Original: English  
 
 
INFORMATION ON SPS -RELATED ACTIVITIES OF  
THE INTERNATIONAL TRADE CENTRE (ITC)  
(MARCH – MAY 2022) 
COMMUNICATION FROM ITC 
The following communication, received on 27 May 2022, is being c irculated at the request of the  ITC. 
 
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The International Trade Centre is continuing its efforts to assist enterprises to meet technical market 
requirements. An update of selected SPS -related activities of interest to WTO Members is provided 
below.  
1  PROJECTS  
1.1  Iraq: Strengthening the Agriculture and Agri -food Value Chain and Improving trade 
policy (SAAVI) (September 2020 -April 2025 / Donor European Union ) 
1.1.  This project aims to support stabilization and governance through building the capacities of 
key Iraqi institutions to deliver public services, as well as sustainable job creation through the 
development of human capital and the enhancement of private sector 's competitiveness. 
This EU-funded project focuses on the development and implementation of sector st rategies for 
high-potential products, as well as on defining more market -oriented policies to improve 
predictability and efficiency in the business environment. SAAVI also provides assistance to enhance 
Iraq's trade policy and supports the country in its W TO accession process.  
1.2.  Under the project, an introductory workshop was held in March 2022 on the WTO Agreement 
on the Application of SPS measures in support to preparation of policy makers and key institutions 
for implementation of WTO Agreements on TBT and  SPS. An SPS training pack in Arabic was 
disseminated to participants.  
1.3.  A second workshop specifically geared to implementing the transparency related functions and 
functioning of SPS National Enquiry Point and SPS National Notification Authority is planned  before 
the end of 2022.  
1.2  Malaysia Arise  Plus Project (February 2021  - January 2024 / Donor European Union)  
1.4.  In partnership with the Ministry of Trade and Industry, the project aims to support inclusive 
and sustainable trade growth and poverty reduction in M alaysia, while contributing to economic 
integration in the ASEAN region.  
1.5.  In regard to training of officers of the Plant Biosecurity Division of Department of Agriculture 
(DoA) on identification and pest management of EU -related quarantined pests the list o f pests and 
vegetables, flowers, tropical plants and aquatic plants has been identified. A total of nine training 
workshops is planned in online, face to face, and laboratory practical modes between July and 
October 2022 followed by case studies applying t he methodologies imparted . 
1.6.  Two trainings of officers of the Department of Fisheries (DOF) and key stakeholders on 
EU legislation on fish and fishery products, including ornamental fish, and on Codex Code of Practice G/SPS/ GEN/2028  
 
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  for Fish and Fishery Products is being o rganized to be held between 13 and 20 July 2022 . These will 
be held in person, and with a view to technically support  the DOF Competent Authority responsible 
for aquatic animal health and improve  the ability to meet EU legislation for fish and fishery pro ducts, 
as well as improve market access of ornamental fish to the European Union . 
1.7.  Support is also being provided to the Disease Control and Veterinary Biosecurity Department 
in epidemiology modelling for animal diseases to develop epidemiology modelling co mpetency on 
animal diseases to determine magnitude and speed of disease and most suitable intervention/ 
control measures.  
1.3  Philippines Arise  Plus Project (March 2021 – February 2025 / Donor European Union)  
1.8.  The project aims to foster inclusive economic growt h and poverty reduction in the Philippines  
through improved  Philippines ' trade performance and competitiveness and specifically by putting in 
place a National Quality Infrastructure (NQI) that promotes export competitiveness, and a quality 
management and c ontrol systems for exported food products better aligned with international best 
practices.  
1.9.  A handbook on good practices related to hygiene and food safety for small and medium -sized 
enterprises, based on Codex General Principles of Food Hygiene, has been prepared in Tagalog 
language. Online interactive training modules based on the guide are und er development to 
contribute to technical support for export -oriented operators along the value chain on food safety 
best practices and international standards, which upon completion will be transferred, with the guide, 
to the Food and Drug Authority and P hilippine Trade Training Centre for deployment in their 
awareness raising and training activities. A similar guide aimed at  the fisheries sector is also planned, 
as well as on Good Agricultural Practices.  
1.4  Myanmar Trade -Related Assistance (Arise Plus – Myan mar) (July 2019 - June 2023 / 
Donor European Union)  
1.10.   The ARISE Plus project aims at building inclusive and sustainable trade growth in Myanmar 
through support to MSMEs in selected value chains enhancing food safety and SPS compliance 
(targeting tea, coffee,  honey, horticulture products) and trade policy formulation and 
implementation.  
1.11.   Work is advancing on  the Myanmar Platform on Quality and Food Safety featuring quality 
requirements for selected product -market combinations (avocado, coffee, honey, and tea ta rgeting 
EU markets) with featured Trainer -cum-Counsellor expert profiles and service provider institutions 
in Myanmar.  
1.12.   The project has supported th e submission of the National Residue Monitoring Plan (NRMP). 
Several brochures and guides on hygiene and food  safety in honey production were developed. 
Seven food safety advisers were trained on good beekeeping practices, GHP an HACCP and 
supported honey producers in Myanmar to implement the principles.  
1.13.   Two private food testing labs are being supported for compl iance with ISO/IEC 17025.  
1.5  SYMST: Systematic Mechanism for Safer Trade (Lao People's Democratic Republic and 
Viet Nam) (December 2018 – October 2022 / Donor European Union)  
1.14.   The overall objective of the project is to improve food safety through better govern ance in 
Lao People's Democratic Republic and Viet Nam . The project aims to strengthen the regulatory 
framework for control of plant health and pesticides in the fruits and vegetable sector and other 
plant products through the application of norms and stand ards to improve market access.  
1.15.   In Lao People's Democratic Republic support is underway to provide access and make 
information available regarding registered pesticides, target uses, national/Codex MRL setting for 
target commodities for export. A  database p roviding relevant information on MRLs has been 
completed and mechanisms will be put in place with DoA to ensure the database is updated regularly.  G/SPS/ GEN/2028  
 
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  1.16.   A Ministerial Guidance on 'Measures Responding to Non -Compliance Export of Plant Product 
and Regulated Articl es to European Union Import Regulation ' has been finalized. The project is 
currently providing support to develop relevant SOPs and training for DoA staff to review 
TRACES/EUROPHYT AND RASFF notifications and put in place procedures to respond to 
non-compl iance and interceptions.  
1.17.   A series of field missions to gather samples of selected commodities for pesticide residue 
monitoring is currently underway. The samples will be analysed during training with a national expert 
in June and July. The project is also supporting PPC and DoA to draft a pesticide monitoring 
programme plan which is due to be completed by August. The review of plant health and pest 
management guidelines in line with EU requirements has also commenced.  
1.18.   The project will continue to support Do A on the use of TRACES for targeted exporters and 
DoA. Going forward Lao People's Democratic Republic  will take the necessary steps to request an 
electronic signature for TRACES. Continuous support will be offered to DoA and exporters to 
implement TRACES.  
1.19.   In Viet Nam, the project supported the upgrading of the PPD website to ensure easy access 
of information on the safe use of pesticides and pest management. The official relaunch of the 
website is due to take place in early June, date to be confirmed by PPD . 
1.20.   In plant health the development of 14 SOPs on morphological methods in the road map to 
strengthen the capacity of laboratories has commenced. The development of SOPs (PCR and ELISA 
method) to detect and inspect pests of major agricultural and food stuffs  products exported to the 
European Union has commenced.  
1.21.   The bilingual (English and Vietnamese) document on EU regulations related to food safety 
and phytosanitary for imported plant and food agricultural products for inspection has been finalized 
and offic ially launched in a hybrid online workshop in March. The book is available in both print and 
electronic version. The development of a manual on Good Agriculture Practices (GAP) has 
commenced. The manual is currently being tested in a series of field s with relevant stakeholders.  
1.6  Thailand Arise Plus Project (November 2020 – October 2023 / Donor European  Union)  
1.22.   The new ITC implemented ARISE Plus Thailand project, aims to support inclusive and 
sustainable economic growth through international trade in Thailand.  
1.23.   Under this overall objective, ITC supports the enhancement and dissemination of organic 
agricultural practices in line with EU standards.  
1.24.   A technical guide on the revised EU legal framework for organic production is being developed 
including a ge neric part which is of relevance to all third countries interested in exporting to the 
European Union and a pa rt customized for Thailand . In addition, the new legal framework will be 
compared to the existing Thai and ASEAN organic standards.  
1.25.   The training material on organic production for farmers and producers is being drafted. 
The project will focus on rice and mangosteen organic production in two regions of the country.  
1.26.   An awareness campaign on organic agriculture and consumption was launched.  
1.7  Lao ARISE Plus Project (2018 -2022 / Donor European Union)  
1.27.   Fifteen Quality Champions were trained on food safety, including HACCP.  
1.28.   Twelve Quality Champions developed under the Arise Plus Lao People's Democratic Republic  
Quality Champions Programme are featured users on the Quality Connect tool, who, once certified, 
will offer their services to SMEs through the national chamber of commerce and industry (LNCCI).  
1.29.   Quality and food safety/SPS requirements for priority product market combinations identified 
under the projec t (coffee to the European Union , the Republic of Korea, Thailand, Viet  Nam) available 
on the Lao People's Democratic Republic  Quality for Trade Portal.  G/SPS/ GEN/2028  
 
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  1.30.   First part of training of food inspectors attached to FDD implemented.  
1.31.   Ongoing cooperation between the C entre of Medical Science of Thailand and the Food and 
Drug Department of Lao focuses on assistance to strengthen the pesticides and chemical laboratory.  
1.32.   Posters developed by Codex, WHO and others are being finalized for printing by the Food and 
drug Depart ment for translation/reproduction to sensitise on COVID -19 and hygiene.  
1.33.   Trainings to the SPS National Enquiry Point and National Notification Authority has been 
completed. This included the development of Standard Operating Procedures, Terms of Reference, 
and sensitization trainings on SPS/TBT Issues, including the operation of the new e -Ping system.  
1.8  Pakistan: Growth for Rural Advancement and Sustainable Progress (June 2019 – 
December 2024 / Donor European Union)  
1.34.   The project aims to contribute to the reduction of poverty through development of rural 
MSMEs in selected districts within two provinces of Pakistan: Balochistan and Sindh.  
1.35.   Support to the food authorities in the two provinces on a variety of topics including food safety 
standards and complianc e in milk and meat sectors is ongoing with continuing provision of trainings 
to the department of plant protection in SPS compliance as well as to animal health related 
departments on the monitoring of slaughterhouses.  
1.9  EU–Bhutan Trade Support Project (2012 –2023 / Donor European Union)  
1.36.   The specific objective of the project is to increase export diversification, contributing to the 
implementation of the "Brand Bhutan " initiative, by improving the capacities of trade and investment 
policy formulation and imple mentation, and increasing exports in two selected value chains, 
i.e. horticulture (ginger/turmeric, mushrooms, and yak dairy) and textile handicrafts.  
1.37.   Training support on food hygiene and food safety to Bhutan Agriculture and Food Regulatory 
Authority (BAF RA) staff and SMEs, is ongoing.  
For more information, please contact:  
Khemraj Ramful , Senior Adviser, Export Quality Management, ITC  
Tel: +41 22 730 04 87  
Fax: +41 22 730 05 76  
E-mail: ramful@intracen.org  
 
Hema Menon , Trade Training Officer, Export Quality Management, ITC  
Tel: +41 22 730 0 5 84 
Fax: +41 22 730 05 76  
E-mail: menon@intracen.org  
 
ITC EXPORT QUALITY MANAGEMENT  
Website : http://www.intracen.org/eqm  
Twitter : http://www.twitter.com/ITCstandards  
 
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