RESTRICTED  
  
WT/ACC/TLS/12  
 
31 May 2021  
(21-4528) Page: 1/12 
Working Party on the Accession of Timor -Leste  Original: English  
 
 
ACCESSION OF TIMOR -LESTE  
ACTION PLAN FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE SANITARY AND PHYTOSANITARY (SPS) 
AGREEMENT  
The following submission, dated 21 May  2021, is being circulated at the request of the 
Delegation of the Democratic Republic of Timor -Leste . 
 
_______________  
  
  WT/ACC/TLS/12  
 
- 2 -  
Strategies  
 Objectives and Outcomes  Responsible 
Ministries  Performance Indicators  Timeframe1  
 
Strategy 1  
 
Establish a 
centralised food 
control system and 
regulatory 
framework:  
 
1. Establish new or 
strengthen existing 
ministries with food 
related 
responsibility;  
 
2. Combine and/or 
centralize food 
control 
responsibilities 
between MAF, MoH, 
MTCI and AIFAESA;  
 
3. Clarify 
responsibilities for 
food control across 
the Government; 
and 
 
4. Establish new or 
strengthen existing 
infrastructure  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 1.1. Institutionalization of food control  
- Establish a functional Food Control System to be 
responsible for and coordinate food control activities 
in the country with capacity to undertake the 
following to international best practice:  
 
• Risk assessment – sanitary and 
phytosanitary;  
• Quarantine and  biosecurity inspection and 
certification;  
• Sample collection and analysis by an 
accredited, newly established modern 
national food laboratory;  
• Develop SPS control measures;  
• Develop SPS policy and legislation;  
• Establish relevant and appropriate 
enforcement,  monitoring and evaluation 
activities;  
• Develop scientific and technical expertise 
and training capabilities as a critical priority.  
 
- Two options depending on political appetite : 
 
1. Establish a new single Food Control Agency Model 
within one ministry; O R 
 
2. Establish an Integrated Multi Agency Food Control 
Model using existing ministries – MoH, MAF, MTCI, 
AIFAESA.  
 
- Clarify each ministry 's responsibility under Multi -
Agency Model (e.g. MoH, MAF, MTCI, AIFAESA) and 
remove food control responsibilities an d activities 
from other current ministries (MoF, MoE, etc) to 
avoid confusion and foster collaboration.  
 
- Promote collaboration and cooperation between 
critical Directorates e.g. Quarantine/Biosecurity and MoH, MAF, MTCI, 
AIFAESA2 
 
 
 - New nationally coordinated Food Control 
System established and operational based on 
single or multi -agency models supported by 
appropriate legislation  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Single or Integrated Multi -Agency Food 
Control Model established and operational 
with clear responsibilities institutionalized by 
legislation  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Years 1 -3 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Years 1 -2 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Years 1 -2 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1 Short -term: 1 -2 years; medium -term: 2 -3 years; long -term: 4 -5 years.  
2 MoH (Ministry of Health); MAF (Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries); MTCI (Ministry of Tourism, Commerce and Industry); and AIFAESA ( the Inspection and Supervision 
Authority for Economic, Health and Food Activities).   
  WT/ACC/TLS/12  
 
- 3 - Strategies  
 Objectives and Outcomes  Responsible 
Ministries  Performance Indicators  Timeframe1  
 
Establish a National 
Mechanism for 
management of all 
facets of food 
control and 
dissemination of 
information  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 - Technical 
Committees  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
- Food Safety 
Laboratory  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Veterinary. Appoint Directors with technical 
background and expertise. Mandate collaboration 
and share resources, training activities and 
upskilling.  
 
- Establish a National Food Control Management 
Board or Committee under an appointed experienced 
Chair, assisted by small Secretariat  to coordinate 
and ov ersee the implementation of all food control 
activities across the Government.  
 
• The National Management Board or 
Committee should be the national 
mechanism to publicise and notify all 
relevant organisations, trade partners and 
foreign governments of all relevant 
information on adopted or proposed SPS 
measures, quarantine and inspection 
procedures, pesticide tolerances and food 
safety standards.  
 
• This mechanism should include a National 
Enquiry Point for WTO SPS Measures, Codex 
Office, A SEAN, OIE and IPPC management.  
 
- Establish National Technical Committees 
responsible to the National Food Control 
Management Board to coordinate and oversee the 
development and implementation of activities for 
sanitary and phytosanitary measures including  
development of relevant legislation e.g.:  
 
• Food Safety Committee (animal health and 
disease, human health)  
• Plant Pest and Disease Committee  
• Enforcement, Monitoring and Evaluation 
Committee.  
 
- Establish a National Food Safety Laboratory:  
 
• In short term, c ombine existing food safety 
(MoH), quarantine and biosecurity (MAF),  
 
 
 
 
- National Food Control Management 
Board/Committee established. Chair, 
Secretariat and membership in place and 
regular meetings operational and 
documented;   
 
- Reports of the meetings prepared and 
distributed;  
 
-Regular reports on the achievement of 
established programme targets.  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
- National Technical Committees established 
and operational;  
 
- Supporting legislation approved and in 
place;  
 
- Food, plant and animal safety measures 
developed and in place.  
 
 
 
- National plan for financial feasibility  
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
Years 1 -2 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Years 1 -2 
 
 
Years 2 -3 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Years 1  
 
 
 
 
Year 1  
 
  
  WT/ACC/TLS/12  
 
- 4 - Strategies  
 Objectives and Outcomes  Responsible 
Ministries  Performance Indicators  Timeframe1  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
- Quarantine and 
Inspection facilities  
 
- Staff training 
centres  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Develop standards 
and codes of good 
practice (or adopt 
appropriate 
international) across 
the agri -food chain  
 
Food Control Law  and plant safety (MAF) laboratories in a new 
facility as start of new National Food 
Laboratory;  
• In short term, ensure existing laboratory 
capacity is maintained whilst building new 
capac ity for analysis of plant, animal and 
human health;  
• Conduct training workshops for laboratory 
staff using external providers – foreign 
governments (e.g. EU, US, Australia), 
NGOs, World Bank, WHO/FAO, ASEAN, 
APEC;  
• In medium term, establish new National 
Food Reference Laboratory in new dedicated 
facility;  
• Acquire sufficient infrastructure, equipment 
and trained staff to allow new laboratory to 
facilitate all country requirements for 
human food, plant and animal health and 
safety, and working towa rds international 
best practice and accreditation – internal 
(Government) and external funding (Foreign 
governments, NGOs, World Bank);  
• Provide specialized, hands -on training on 
microbiological and chemical parameters 
according to the specific needs of the  
laboratory;  
• Achieve ISO 17025 accreditation for 
microbiology and chemical parameters;  
• Provide services to private sector.  
 
- Establish dedicated Quarantine and Inspection and 
Veterinary Services facilities;  
 
- Co-locate Quarantine and Inspection Directora te 
with Veterinary Services Directorate;  
 
- Establish new facilities or adequately provide 
assistance and support for existing staff training 
facilities using a combination of the Government and 
external providers funding and resources;   
 
 
- Skilled staff with education in applied 
sciences chemistry, microbiology and 
biology;  
 
- Records and reports of training on 
laboratory qualit y assurance and on 
analytical methods;  
 
- Quality assurance documentation complete.  
 
 
 
 
 
Specialised training provided on 
microbiological and chemical analysis  
 
 
-ISO 17025 accreditation for selected 
chemical and microbiological parameters;  
 
-Participation in inter -laboratory 
comparisons;  
 
-Laboratory reports;  
 
-Feedback from "users " of laboratory 
services.  
 
 
Appropriate dedicated space and facilities 
allocated and operational for Quarantine and 
Inspection and Veterinary Services and 
adequate ly staffed.   
 
 
Appropriate facilities established and given 
ongoing support.   
 
 
Years 1 - 2 
 
 
 
 
Years 1 -3 
 
 
Years 2 -3 
 
 
 
 
 
Years 1 -2 
 
 
 
Years 1 -4 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Years 1 - 2 
 
 
Years 1 - 2 
 
 
 
 
 
Years 1 -2  
  WT/ACC/TLS/12  
 
- 5 - Strategies  
 Objectives and Outcomes  Responsible 
Ministries  Performance Indicators  Timeframe1  
 
1.2. Develop new or strengthen existing appropriate, enforceable legislation to support SPS measures, including a Food Standards 
Code – cover food safety, plant pests and disease, and animal health, quarantine, inspection and certification, enforcement, monitoring 
and evaluation  
- Review current legal framework and formulate an 
overarching food control framework under direction 
of National Food Control Board and  Technical 
Committees to discuss, adopt and make 
recommendations to approve, plant, animal health 
and food safety standards;  
 
- Develop an overarching general Food Control Law;  
 
- Develop a Food Standards Code (similar to 
ANZFSC) containing all regulations on priority areas 
for GoTL: food additives, contaminants and natural 
toxicants, MRLs for agricultural and veterinary 
chemicals (agro -food inputs such as pesticides), food 
labelling, special standards (e.g. infant formula, GM 
foods, etc.);  
 
- Use established Technical Committees (see above) 
to discuss, develop and obtain GoTL approval of 
plant, animal health and food safety standards.  
 
- Develop (or preferably adopt existing 
internationally available) manuals on:  
- Good Hygiene Practices;  
- Good Agriculture Practices;  
- Good Animal Husbandry Practices;  
- Good Aquaculture Practices;  
- Good Manufacturing Practices;  
- HACCP.  
 
-Provide training workshops to manual users.  
 MoH, MTCI, MAF, 
AIFAESA  - Food Control Framework developed to 
support national ly coordinated Food Control 
System;  
 
 
 
 
- Overarching Food Control Law established  
 
- New Food Standards Code with regulations 
on priority areas:  food additives, 
contaminants and natural toxicants, MRLs for 
agricultural and veterinary chemicals (agro -
food inputs such as pesticides), food 
labelling, special food standards (e.g. infant 
formula, GM foods, etc.);  
 
Technical committees established and 
operational covering plant, animal health and 
food safety;  
 
Manuals adopted and distributed to users.  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Training conducted.  Years 1 -2 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Years 1 -2 
 
Years 1 -3 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Years 1 -2 
 
 
 
Years 1 -2 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Years 1 -2 
Strategy 2  
 
Develop scientific 
and technical 
capacity for risk 
analysis (risk 
assessment, risk 
management, risk 2.1.   Establish a mechanism to provide scientific and technical training for GoTL staff to cover all aspects of SPS me asures work  
 
- Establish a new authority or appoint an existing  
ministry or authority responsible for ensuring that 
appropriate Government personnel are properly 
trained in all aspects of food control along the whole 
agri-food chain (risk assessment, quarantine, 
inspection and certification, monitoring and MTCI, AIFAESA  Ministry or authority appointed with 
responsibility for food control system training 
of Government staff;  
 
 
 Years 1 -2 
 
 
 
 
  
  WT/ACC/TLS/12  
 
- 6 - Strategies  
 Objectives and Outcomes  Responsible 
Ministries  Performance Indicators  Timeframe1  
 
communication) and 
standards 
development  
 
 surveillance , laboratory analysis, etc.).  
 
-Establish staff training centers (see above under 
Establish new or strengthen existing infrastructure);  
 
-Identify and utilise appropriate external training 
providers e.g. foreign governments and NGOs 
(UNDP, WBIFC, FAO, WHO) . 
  
 
Staff training centers established and 
operational;  
 
Resources identified and external providers 
engaged.   
 
 
Years 1 -3 
 
Years 1 -2 
2.2. Participation of Timor Leste in international fora supported by adequate resources  
-Accession of Timor Leste to Codex Alimentarius 
Commission. Ensure attendance and establish 
National Codex Contact Point reporting to National 
Board (Note: Codex, WTO, SPS EP, OIE, IPPC and 
ASEAN contact points co -located);  
 
- Accession of Timor -Leste to I PPC and active 
participation;  
 
- Become member of ASEAN and the World Trade 
Organisation and ensure appropriate resources for 
active participation;  
 
- Promote the participation of Timor Leste in 
international committees (CAC, IPPC, OIE, and 
INFOSAN).  MTCI,  MoH, MAF  
 - Member of Codex3  
 
 
 
 
- Member of IPPC4  
 
- Member of ASEAN, WTO5  
 
- Documentation of Timor -Leste 's 
participation in international committees  Year 1  
 
 
 
 
 
Year 1  
 
 
Year 1  
 
 
Years 2 -3 
Develop scientific 
and technical 
capacity for risk 
analysis (risk 
assessment, risk 
management, risk 
communication) and 
standards 
development  2.3. Development of a Co -located National Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) Enquiry Point, Codex, ASEAN, OIE and IP PC Contact 
Points  
- Operationalization of a co -located SPS, Codex, OIE, 
IPPC enquiry point to meet the obligations under the 
WTO SPS Agreement;  
 
 
 
 
 
- Train personnel on Codex Risk Analysis principles, 
OIE and IPPC procedures and the SPS/TBT 
agreements;  MTCI, MAF, 
AIFAESA, National 
Food Control 
Management Board  
 
 
 
 
External bodies 
providing training 
gratis,  e.g. Codex, - SPS Enquiry Point developed;  
- Codex, OIE, IPPC and ASEAN Enquiry Points 
developed; ASEAN;  
- Co-locate all enquiry points, if possible, 
with a single Secretariat and responsible to 
the National Management Board;  
 
 
- Trained personnel in risk analysis, SPS/TBT, 
Codex procedures and standards;  
 Years 1 -2 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Years  1-2 
 
 
 
3 Process had already begun.  
4 Already an observer.  
5 Accession process already begun.   
  WT/ACC/TLS/12  
 
- 7 - Strategies  
 Objectives and Outcomes  Responsible 
Ministries  Performance Indicators  Timeframe1  
 
 
 
 
- Develop SoPs for handling national and 
international enquiries on technical regulations, 
standards and certification schemes;  
 
 
 
- Disseminate information to value chain participants 
on WTO SPS notifications, Codex standards, OIE and 
IPPC matters.  
 FAO/WHO, OIE, 
WTO.  
 
National Food 
Control Management 
Board, Technical 
Committees, MAF, 
MTCI, MoH, 
AIFAESA.  - Training records of skilled personnel.  
 
- SPS/TBT SOP 's for handling 
national/international enquiries developed  
 
 
 
 
 
- Factsheets, brochures, guides developed 
and disseminated to value chain actors   
 
 
Years 1 -2 
 
 
 
 
 
Years 1 -2 
 
Strategy 3  
 
Conduct Sanitary 
and Phytosanitary 
data collection and 
undertake risk 
assessments to 
prevent risks across 
the entire food chain  
 
 
 
Utilise data already 
collected on 
Phytosanitary 
issues, and 
collaborate with 
proposed initiatives 
and action plans 
already planned by 
various foreign 
governments and 
NGOs e.g. Australian 
DAFF and WB IFC  
 
 
Phytosanitary Risks  
 
 
 
 3.1. Mechanisms to prevent risks across the entire food chain – sanitary and phytosanitary issues  
- Collect relevant data on Sanitary and Phytosanitary 
risks across the entire food chain, e.g.:  
1. Plant pests and diseases  
2. Animal health  
3. Food Safety   
 
- Using data collected and verified, conduct risk 
assessments of protect plant, animal and human 
health;  
 
- In the case of plant pests and diseases, identify the 
pests or diseases that may enter  into the country, 
their mode of establishment or spread, and the 
potential biological and economic consequences.  
Evaluate the likelihood of entry, and of 
establishment  or spread of such pests or diseases.  
 
- For phytosanitary measures, immediate 
priority actions should be:  
1. For imports, the action plan should be to 
access and collaborate with any existing 
plans for plant safety being considered by 
the Government. The short -to-medium 
term priorities should be to undertake the 
more than 500 IRAs that are needed to 
assess the risk posed by imports into 
Timor -Leste, and this work will require:  
• Compare lists of pests and diseases in 
exporting countries with those present in National Food 
Control Management  
Board, MAF, MoH, 
MTCI, AIFAESA  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
National Food 
Control Management 
Board  
MAF, MTCI, AIFAESA  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 - Data collection operational for both 
Sanitary and Phytosanitary areas for plant 
pests and diseases, and animal diseases  
 
 
- Data verified and used to conduct risk 
assessments  
 
 
- Plant pests and diseases identified and 
catalogued  
 
 
 
- Consequences evalu ated 
 
 
 
 
- Collaborations negotiated  
 
- IRAS started  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Years 1 -3 
 
 
 
 
Years 1 -3 
 
 
 
Years 1 -3 
 
 
 
 
Years 1 -3 
 
 
 
 
Years 1 -3 
 
Year 1  
 
 
 
 
 
 
Years 1 to 3   
  WT/ACC/TLS/12  
 
- 8 - Strategies  
 Objectives and Outcomes  Responsible 
Ministries  Performance Indicators  Timeframe1  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Timor -Leste;  
• Determine which pests are associated with 
the imported product;  
• Determine which pests pose an 
unacceptable risk;  
• Manage the risks by imposing conditions, 
treatments, certification, and inspection of 
imported products to ensur ing compliance, 
refusing trade and post -entry quarantine 
risk mitigation measures;  
• Strengthen inspection processes and create 
a central database for the categorization of 
businesses and foods based on risk.   
2. For exports, to undertake work to 
facilitate  exports of plant products by:  
• Participating in the IRA of importing 
countries by providing lists of pests present 
in Timor -Leste,  
• Negotiate import conditions with importing 
countries,  
• Ensure that the conditions for export to the 
importing countries are met, and develop 
appropriate certification for the 11 plant 
product exports (Arabica and Robusta 
coffee, Candle Nut, Coconut, Tamarind, 
Mung Bean, Peanut, Corn, Cloves, Vanilla 
and Sandal Wood) to the 23 countries 
where Timor -Leste exports these 
commoditie s.  
• Increase technical capacity needed to 
assess the risks associated with export 
trade including  
1. Producing a list of pests and diseases 
present in Timor -Leste and deciding 
which risks need to be managed,  
2. Developing appropriate measures to 
manage these ri sks,  
3. Confirming that risk management 
measures are effectively preventing 
the entry of viable organisms (e.g.  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
National Food 
Control Management 
Board, MAF, MTCI 
AIFAESA  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
- Exported food risks work operationalised;  
 
- Lists of pests in Timor -Leste provided to 
trading partners to expedite importing 
country IRAS;  
 
- Negotiations taking place;  
 
- Export conditions of trading partners met 
and appropriate certifications operational.  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Technical capacity building initiatives 
established and ongoing;  
 
List of plant pests and disease developed and 
utilised;  
 
Measures developed;  
 
Risk measures work ing and effective;   
 
Years 1 -3 
 
 
Years 1 -3 
 
Years 1 -3 
 
 
 
 
Years 1 -3 
 
 
 
 
Years 1 -3 
 
Year 1  
 
 
 
Year 1  
 
Year 1  
 
 
 
 
 
 
Years 1 -3  
 
 
Year 1  
 
 
Years 1 -2 
 
 
Years 1 -3 
 
Years 1 -2  
  WT/ACC/TLS/12  
 
- 9 - Strategies  
 Objectives and Outcomes  Responsible 
Ministries  Performance Indicators  Timeframe1  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Sanitary Risks  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 inspect imports and identify organisms 
intercepted), and  
4. Participate in the negotiation of the 
conditions imposed on exported 
products by importi ng trade partners.  
 
- For the sanitary measures to work, the action 
plan should be to access and collaborate with 
any existing plans for food safety being 
considered by the Government, for example 
between AIFAESA and MoH, and the SoW 
prepared by USAID/TAMU/Avansa, together 
with a comparison with food safety systems 
already established internationally in other 
countries (Indonesia, China, Australia), 
FAO/WHO and Codex.  
 
- The short -to-medium term priorities for food 
safety should be:  
1. Begin the comp rehensive collection of 
databases on food composition and food 
consumption using the data already 
collected on foods grown in the country, 
imported into and exported from Timor -
Leste by Quarantine and Biosecurity and 
Veterinary Directorates and any other 
relevant information.  
2. Assess the suitability for Timor -Leste of 
Indonesian (or Chinese or both given these 
countries are biggest trading partners) and 
Codex standards for Maximum Levels (MLs) 
for food additives, chemical contaminants, 
allergens and biotoxi ns, Maximum Residue 
Limits (MRLs) for pesticides and veterinary 
drugs, and guidance values for common 
food-borne pathogens.  
3. Undertake a risk assessment of each 
food/chemical/biotoxin combination by 
using MLs and MRLs from trading partners 
(Indonesian, Chi na, Australia or use Codex  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
National Food 
Control Management 
Board, MoH, MAF, 
MTCI, AIFAESA  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
Participation in export trade negotiations 
ongoing;  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Data collection on food composition and 
consumption started and ongoing;  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Food safety standards of exporting countries 
assessed and compared with Codex 
standards;  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Risk assessments underway and ongoing;  
  
 
 
 
Years 1 -3 
 
 
 
Years 1 -3 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Year 1  
 
Years 1 -2 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Years 1 -4 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Years 1 -2 
  
  WT/ACC/TLS/12  
 
- 10 - Strategies  
 Objectives and Outcomes  Responsible 
Ministries  Performance Indicators  Timeframe1  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 levels), ADIs and PTDIs or PTWIs from 
JECFA, together with estimates of exposure 
(for an average adult of 60 -70kg and for a 
child of 20kg) so that the risk can be 
characterized. For example, there are 349 
imported food products a nd hundreds of 
contaminants, food additives and pesticides 
that each will need a separate risk 
assessment calculation.  
4. Assist with the development of relevant and 
appropriate food safety legislation, including 
the development of a Food Standards Code 
(Food Laws) for Timor -Leste along similar 
lines as the Australian New Zealand Food 
Standards Code.  
5. Assess the adequacy of food labeling for 
food imported into and exported from 
Timor -Leste. Compare and contrast with 
labelling standards from Codex and 
exporting  countries.  
6. Assess capacity within GoTL and UNTL for 
food safety risk assessment, including 
chemistry, biology and risk assessment 
(toxicology, microbiology) and exposure 
assessment.  
7. Make recommendations to GoTL based on 
capacity assessment  
8. Develop or reco mmend appropriate 
guidance documents and training manuals 
and materials for risk analysis capacity 
building.  
9. Develop "train the trainers " modules on 
Sanitary and Phytosanitary to target food 
chain personnel in food safety, GHP, GAqP, 
GAhP, GMP and HACCP  
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Food legislation is developed and 
operationalised. Food Standards Code 
established;  
 
 
 
 
Adequacy of food labelling assessed and 
compared with Codex and exporting 
countries. Remedial enforcement action 
taken where necessary;  
 
 
Capacity within Government and other 
sources assessed;   
 
 
 
 
Recommendations developed and submitted 
to the Government;  
 
Guidance documents and training manuals 
developed and in use;  
 
Training materials d eveloped and delivered to 
target groups using "train the trainers " 
modules on SPS topics;  
Records on training;  
Baseline and endline surveys before and after 
trainings and enforcement;  
Records from food safety, GHP, GAqP, GAhP,  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Years 1 -2 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Years 1 -4 
 
 
 
 
 
Years 1 -3 
 
 
 
 
 
Years 1 -3 
 
 
Years 1 -3 
 
 
Years 1 -4 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  WT/ACC/TLS/12  
 
- 11 - Strategies  
 Objectives and Outcomes  Responsible 
Ministries  Performance Indicators  Timeframe1  
 
 
Identify SPS 
measures 
commensurate with 
risk assessments  
 
Establish 
appropriate ALOPs  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Develop Monitoring 
and Surveillance 
Systems  
 
Enforce SPS 
Measures   
  
- Based on the above risk assessments work, identify 
SPS measures for each risk that will mitigate it 
according to scientific evidence, either obtained from 
scientific literature or developed in -country.  
 
- For each SPS measure, establish an Appropriate 
Level of Sanitary or Phytosanitary Protection, or 
ALOP, based on the risk and available measures to 
mitigate it, ensuring that such ALOPs are justifiable 
by the risk assessment and are consistently applied 
so as to avoid arbitrary or unjustifiable distinct ions in 
the level of protection, if such distinctions would 
result in a disguised restriction to international trade.  
 
- Establish monitoring and evaluation systems for 
the assessment of introduced food control measures 
across the entire food chain;  
 
- Enforce SPS measures based on risk assessments 
in line with international best practices.  
  
 
 
 
National Food 
Control Management 
Board, MAF, MTCI, 
MoH, AIFAESA  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 GMP and HACCP activities;  
Chemical free food products;  
 
SPS measures developed and operationalised 
and enforced;  
 
 
 
ALOPs established;  
Adoption and enforcement of integrated plant 
pest and diseases, animal disease and food 
safety management strategies;  
 
 
 
 
 
SPS measures monitored and evaluated;  
 
 
 
SPS measures enforced;  
  
 
 
 
Years 14  
 
 
 
 
Years 1 -5 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Years 1 -5 
 
  
 
Years 1 -5 
Strategy 4  
Food -borne illness 
surveillance and 
food safety response 
systems  
 4.1. Develop food -borne illness surveillance and response systems  
- Strengthen food -borne illness surveillance and 
emergency response activities;  
 
- Development of procedures to evaluate and track 
food-borne illnesses outbreaks;  
  
- Train Health Officers for data collection, 
information and reporting on food -borne illnesses  
 
- Develop a national networ k for collecting, collating, 
reporting, and disseminating data to the public  
 
- Estimate the burden of food -borne illnesses in 
Timor -Leste.  
 National Food 
Control Management 
Board, MoH  - Developed food -borne disease surveillance 
documentation and surveys;  
 
- SOPs adopted;  
 
 
- Training records;  
- Collected data;  
 
- Evaluation reports/audits;  
- Monitoring reports;  
 
- Disease surveillance reports.  
 Years 1 -3 
 
 
Years 1 -2 
 
 
Years 1 -2 
 
 
Years 1 -3 
 
 
Years 1 -3 
 WT/ACC/TLS/12  
 
- 12 - 
 
  The implementation of the strategies and activities proposed in the Action Plan will facilitate creation 
of a coordinated and integrated food control system to protect consumers and promote trade. 
The regulatory framework will be reviewed and re -drafted covering the whole food control system 
farm-to-table. National standards will be developed to promote good practices along the whole  
agri-food chain and in line with regional and international agreements for trade. The establishment 
of a Food Control System, with a National Food Control Management Board and clear responsibilities 
developed for designated ministries of the Government of Timor -Leste, will facilitate the enforcement 
of food safety activities and programmes having consumer protection as a central priority. 
The successful implementation of the Action Plan will depend on the commitment of the ministries, 
value chain stakeholders, and consumers.  
 
This Action Plan is developed to cover a 5 -year per iod. A realistic approach for funding needs to be 
defined. Ongoing monitoring in each of the phases is required to ensure effective implementation. 
An evaluation at the end of each of the phases will address the successful initiatives, challenges and 
new o pportunities. The Action Plan has suggested activities for SPS -related work which are not 
mutually exclusive and should be undertaken simultaneously as resources allow in a tiered,  
step-by-step approach over the short, medium and long term.  
 
Vision  
 
Goals  
 
 
Strategies  
 
 
Metrics  
 
 
 
Action Plans  
 
 
Action Steps for achieving SPS compliance in Timor -Leste  can be summarized as follows:   
I. Establishment of new and strengthening of existing authorities: single or integrated multi -
agency Food Control System; National Management Board;  
II. Establishment of new and strengthening of existing infrastructure ; 
III. Building/acquiring technical and scientific capacity;  
IV. Collecting data – sanitary and phytosanitary information;  
V. Conducting risk assessment;  
VI. Developing legislation;  
VII. Monitoring and evaluation;  
VIII.  Institutionalizing.  
 
__________  Institutionalize food control to international standards (WTO SPS Agreement, Codex, IPPC and OIE) in Timor -Leste from farm -
to-table to ensure a WTO SPS compliant, safe imported, locally grown and exported food supply that protects the public healt h 
and safety of the Timorese population.  
1. Establish integrated food control system in Timor -Leste over 5 years;  2. Membership of WTO, IPPC, OIE, Codex and ASEAN; 
3. Achieve WTO SPS compliance in Timor -Leste within 4 -5 Years (SPS compliant imported, locally grown and exported food 
(plant/animal)); 4. Acquire scientific and technical skills and experience to achieve SPS compliance, internal/external 
resources.  
1. Establish new or strengthen existing ministries - established a National Food Control Management Board; combine and/or 
centralize food control responsibilities between MAF, MOH, MTCI, AIFAESA and resource them to achieve their mandates – 
remove food responsibilities from other ministries to avoid confusion and foster co llaboration ; 2. Establish new or strengthen 
existing infrastructure – establish SPS/Codex Enquiry Point, Quarantine and inspection facilities; Central Food Testing Lab; 
Combine/merge resources where possible; 3. Acquire technical and scientific capacity b y harnessing a combination of internal 
and external capacity; 4. Conduct Risk Assessments to inform SPS Measures and future appropriate levels of protection for 
Government of Timor -Leste and trading partners.  
Sanitary and Phytosanitary plans to allow graduated, step -by-step progress on both fronts. Short, medium and long -term 
steps that are pragmatic, achievable and realistic.