WORLD TRADE  
ORGANIZATION  G/SPS/GEN/877 
26 September 2008 
 (08-4567) 
Committee on Sanitary a nd Phytosanitary Measures  
  
 
UPDATE ON THE OPERATION OF THE STANDARDS AND  
TRADE DEVELOPMENT FACILITY 
 
Note by the Secretariat
1 
 
 
Overview 
 
1. The Standards and Trade Development Facility (STDF) is a global programme in capacity 
building and technical cooperation established by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the 
United Nations (FAO), the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE), the World Bank, the World 
Health Organization (WHO) and the World Trade Organization (WTO).  It assists developing 
countries to comply with food safety, animal and plant health (sanitary and phytosanitary or SPS) 
measures in international trade.  Other internati onal organizations such as the International Trade 
Centre (ITC), the Organization for Economic  and Development (OECD), the United Nations 
Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO),  and United Nations Conference on Trade and 
Development (UNCTAD),  donors and developing countries also participate.2 
2. The STDF has two main aims:  
• to assist developing countries enhance their expertise and capacity to analyze and to 
implement international sanitary and phytosan itary (SPS) standards, improving their human, 
animal and plant health situation, and thus ab ility to gain and maintain market access;  and  
• to act as a vehicle for coordination among techni cal  providers, the mobilization of funds, the 
exchange of experience and the dissemination of good practice in relation to the provision and 
receipt of SPS-related technical . 
3. Applications for STDF funding may be made at any point in the year but should be received 
45 days prior to each Working Group meeting.  Forthcoming deadlines for submission of funding 
applications are as follows: 
• 19 December 2008; 
•  24 April 2009; and 
• 14 August 2009. 
4. The STDF operates in four main areas:  coordi nation, project development, project funding 
and information dissemination. 
                                                      
1 This document has been prepared under the Secret ariat's own responsibility and is without prejudice 
to the positions of Members or to their rights or obligations under the WTO. 
2 More detailed information on the STDF can be found on the website  (www.standardsfacility.org) G/SPS/GEN/877 
Page 2  
 
  Coordination 
5. The STDF organized a workshop on SPS-related capacity evaluation tools developed by 
international organizations on 31 Ma rch 2008.  The meeting  considered the merits of specific and 
generic tools;  the role of the beneficiary in the choice of tool, its application and end use;  public 
dissemination of results versus confidential usage;  and scope for collaboration and cooperation in the 
future development and use of these tools.  As a fo llow-up to the meeting, the Secretariat has drafted a 
detailed overview of the tools on offer, with info rmation on their application and contacts for the 
organizations involved.  The objective is to provide countries with a users' manual to help guide them 
in their choice of tool to evaluate their SPS n eeds.  The document will be circulated shortly. 
6. The STDF organized an information sessi on on private standards on 26 June 2008.  
Representatives of the Africa Observer Project, the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI), 
International Certification and Risk Services (CMi ) and the World Bank made presentations.  Issues 
considered included:  (i) initiatives to make developi ng countries' voices heard in the private standards 
area;  (ii) advancements in the recognition of e quivalence between schemes;  (iii) options to reduce 
the costs of certification;  and (iv) opportunities to promote dialogue among private standard holders, 
suppliers, certifiers and other interested parties.   A summary of the workshop can be found in 
document G/SPS/R/50.  Information about the works hop, including the presentations and podcasts of 
some sessions, is available on the SPS gateway
 of the WTO website. 
7. Within the framework of the Aid of Trade In itiative, the STDF organized regional workshops 
on the mobilization of capacity building resources in th e area of food safety, animal and plant health.  
These  took place in Cambodia (20-21 May 2008), Uga nda (28-29 May 2008) and Guatemala (11-12 
June 2008).3  The workshops were the culmination of a year-long project in the Greater Mekong Delta 
Sub-region, East Africa and Central America to  synthesize the results of existing SPS capacity 
evaluations, develop an inventory of technical assist ance and identify "gaps" still not being addressed.  
An overview of this work can be found in doc ument G/SPS/GEN/864.  A discussion paper outlining 
further possible STDF Aid for Trade activities will be discussed at the next STDF Working Group 
meeting in October 2008. 
8. The STDF participated in an Expert Working Group meeting organized by UNIDO in Kigali, 
Rwanda, 8-9 September 2008.  The STDF presented a study on SPS constraints faced by eight LDCs 
(Benin, Cambodia, Laos, Lesotho, Mozambique, Rw anda, Senegal and Yemen)  which impede their 
export opportunities.  The study compared needs w ith on-going and future planned assistance in this 
area.  The objective is to feed this information into an LDC Mini sterial Conference in Cambodia  
19-20 November on Aid for Trade: Industrial Age nda for LDCs on how to mobilize and streamline 
Aid for Trade resources in LDCs.  Once finalized, this report will also be shared with the SPS 
Committee. 
9. An ongoing Aid for Trade activity funded by the Inter-American Development Bank (IADB) 
is a study to examine the need for and provision of  SPS-related technical assistance in Peru.  The aim 
of the research is to identify SPS needs and desi gn a comprehensive national action plan to address 
them.  It is expected that the study will be presented in early 2009. 
10. In response to the WTO/OECD request for information (G/SPS/GEN/816), a total of 24 
projects in East Africa, the Greater Mekong Delta S ub-Region and Central Amer ica were submitted as 
examples of "good practice" in SPS-related technical cooperation.  Country-level research was carried 
                                                      
3 Aid for Trade aims to help developing countries, particularly least-developed countries, develop the 
trade-related skills and infrastructure that is needed to implement and benefit from WTO agreements and to 
expand their trade. The Aid for Trade initiative was launched at the Hong Kong Ministerial Conference in 
December 2005.  G/SPS/GEN/877 
 Page 3 
 
 
  out in June and July 2008 to seek the views of bene ficiaries of the identified projects on elements of 
good practice in project design, implementation,  outputs and the achievement of higher order 
objectives, which could be replicated in future assi stance.  The original research reports have been 
circulated to the SPS Committee as documents G/SPS/GEN/871, 872 and 874.  The findings are being analyzed and compiled for presentation to a work shop on Good Practice  in Geneva on 6 October 
2008.  An overview document with conclusions fo r action drafted has been circulated as document 
G/SPS/GEN/875. 
11. The STDF is planning to organize a meeting in the first half of 2009 on initiatives to combat 
fruit flies in West Africa.  The meeting will pr ovide an opportunity for national and regional 
organizations, donors and other stakeholders to discu ss mechanisms to control fruit flies and mobilize 
funds for a multi-year Action Plan for this purpose.  It will gather technical experts in fruit fly as well 
as decision makers from West African countries and donors active in the region. The meeting will be 
centred around an EC study on the damages inflic ted by fruit flies on West Africa fruit production and 
Action Plan for a coordinated regional response. The EC study was validated by ECOWAS Member 
States at a meeting organized in Mali in August 200 8.  It can be downloaded in English and French 
versions from the STDF website Standards and Trade Development Facility
. 
Project development 
12. Project preparation grants (PPGs) are a key mechanism for future STDF programme 
development.  PPGs aim to turn good ideas into projects.  As such, they can help overcome 
constraints faced by developing countries in the arti culation of their needs.  To date, a total of 27 
PPGs have been approved.  A target of 12 PPGs to  be funded through the STDF has been set in the 
Operating Plan for 2008-09. 
13. At the June STDF Working Group meeting, three PPGs were approved:  
• STDF 232:  Development of an African phytosanitary capacity building strategy (Inter-
African Phytosanitary Council);  
• STDF 234:  Design of a Good Agricultural Practice scheme for Lao P.D.R; and 
• STDF 242:  Design of a project to overcome SPS constraints in the litchi and lobster value 
chains in Comores. 
Project funding 
14. The STDF funds technical cooperation activities which: 
• address underlying issues of SPS capacity building in  beneficiary countries (in particular in 
low income countries, or on a regional basis), ideally through innovative, preventative and / or pilot projects which may be replicated by other donors;  and  
• which aim to address gaps in SPS information, training materials or which aim to improve 
coordination among SPS technical  provide rs through collaborative projects. 
15. At the last STDF meeting in June, four  new projects were approved for funding: 
• STDF 126:  Support for establishment of a Hor ticulture Development Council in Tanzania; 
• STDF 230:  Establishment in Mozambique of Pest Free Areas for Lethal Yellowing Disease 
in coconuts; G/SPS/GEN/877 
Page 4  
 
  • STDF 238:  Development of accredited Good Practice and HACCP certification schemes for 
fresh and processed products in Guatemala; and. 
• STDF 246:  Development of an SPS Action Plan for Cambodia. 
16. Information on how to apply, eligibility criteria and application forms can be found in the 
STDF Operational Rules
.  An overview of the current status of  STDF projects is provided in Annex 1.  
Information dissemination  
17. The STDF is developing a short film to rai se awareness about the importance of SPS capacity 
for international trade and econom ic development.  The film wi ll provide an introduction to SPS 
issues and their impact on trade and showcase exampl es from three countries that have been affected 
by SPS issues.  The selection and contracting of a production company to support this work is in 
progress following a tender process, and identificati on of case study countries is underway.  It is 
hoped that the film will be finalized by mid-2009. 
Evaluation 
18. An evaluation of the STDF is being undertaken by  an independent evaluator. The objective of 
the evaluation is to review the performance of th e STDF mainly in terms of the impact of STDF 
activities.  A first independent evaluation of the ope rations of the Facility was completed in December 
2005; the present evaluation should be completed by mid-November 2008.  
 
  
   G/SPS/GEN/877
 Page 5ANNEX 1 
IMPLEMENTATION STATUS OF STDF PROJ ECTS AND PROJECT PREPARATION GRANTS  
25 September  2008 
 
(a) Projects awaiting contracting 
 
Project Title Objective Implementing/
Oversight 
Agency Beneficiary Budget 
(US$) Approval 
date Start /End Date Status 
STDF 126 Support for the 
establishment of 
the Horticulture 
Development Council of 
Tanzania Assist the Tanzanian 
horticulture sector to 
address SPS issues TBC Tanzania 268,755 Jun-08 TBC Pending 
STDF 230 Establishment of 
Pest Free Areas for Lethal 
Yellowing 
Disease in Coconuts  Build phytosanitary 
capacity to implement international standards 
to manage LYD in 
palms and thereby expand market access 
for coconuts FAO Mozambique 385,528 Jun-08 TBC Pending 
STDF 246 Development of 
SPS Action Plan 
for Cambodia Identify actions to be 
taken to enhance the 
SPS system in 
Cambodia FAO Cambodia 250,000 Jun-08 TBC Pending 
STDF 238 Development of 
accredited Good 
Practices and 
HACCP certification 
schemes for 
fresh and processed food 
products  Implement accredited 
inspection and 
certificates for GAPs, 
GMPs and HACCP recognized by the 
competent authorities. TBC Guatemala 397,419 Jun-08 TBC Pending 
  
  G/SPS/GEN/877 
Page 6 
 
(b) On-going projects funded by STDF 
 
Project Title Objective Implementing/
Oversight 
Agency Beneficiary Budget 
(US$) Approval 
date Start /End DateStatus 
STDF 48 Quality control 
for shea and cashew nut 
products in 
Benin  Apply good agricultural 
practices to overcome problems of mycotoxin 
contamination in shea and 
cashew nut production.   TBC Benin 470,575 Nov-07 Jun-08 / Jun-09 Implementation 
ongoing. 
STDF 127 Support for SPS 
information 
systems in Benin Improve information flows 
on SPS requirements, 
particularly in the private sector in Benin. FAO, Benin 
Chamber of 
Commerce Benin 363,858 Nov-07 Jul-08 / Jul 10 Implementation 
ongoing. 
STDF 62 Strengthening 
food safety in 
Cameroon Reactivate a national 
committee on food safety 
and  train public and private sector stakeholders in 
Cameroon.   FAO Cameroon 461,359 Nov-07 Jul-08 / Jul 10 Implementation 
ongoing. 
STDF 171 East African 
Phytosanitary Centre Build phytosanitary capacity 
and increase market access through the establishment of 
an East African 
Phytosanitary Centre. Kenya Plant 
Health Inspection 
Service, 
University of Nairobi, CABI, 
International 
Plant Protection 
Convention 
(IPPC) Kenya and 
East Africa 843,240 Nov-07 May-08 / May 10 Implementation 
ongoing. 
STDF 170 Strengthening 
the capacity of 
government SPS officials in Nepal Train government officials 
on implementation of SPS 
measures.  Project supports Integrated Framework (IF) 
Diagnostic Trade Integration 
Study (DTIS).  FAO Nepal 321,600 Mar-07 Mar-08/ Mar-10 Implementation 
ongoing.  
   G/SPS/GEN/877
 Page 7Project Title Objective Implementing/
Oversight 
Agency Beneficiary Budget 
(US$) Approval 
date Start /End DateStatus 
STDF 134 Capacity 
building to improve fish 
trade 
performance of selected West 
African 
countries Improve knowledge and 
awareness of SPS issues in the fisheries sector in five 
West African countries.  FAO Benin, 
Mauritania, Senegal, Sierra 
Leone and The 
Gambia 469,000 Mar-07 Mar-08 / Feb-10 Implementation 
ongoing.  
STDF 69 Improved 
capacity to 
ensure safety and quality of 
Yemeni seafood 
products Assist the Yemen Seafood 
Exporter's Association to 
improve the quality and safety of Yemeni seafood 
products.   International 
Trade Centre 
(ITC) Yemen 
Seafood 
Exporters Association 
(YSEA) 462,804 Jun-07 Sep-07 /Aug-09 Implementation 
ongoing.  
(Approval rescinded in 
Mar-07 due to 
implementation delays of over 
one year). 
STDF 173 Assessing 
capacit y buildin g 
needs of food 
control systems 
in developing APEC Member 
Economies 
 Train food safety regulators 
from developing member economies in Asia Pacific 
Economic Cooperation 
(APEC) using FAO's food safety capacity evaluation 
tools.  WTO Food safety 
authorities in selected APEC 
member 
economies 96,500 Mar-07 Aug-07 /Apr-09 Implementation 
ongoing.   
STDF 108 Developing 
institutional 
capacity of 
countries in the 
Americas to 
participate in the SPS Committee Promote more active and 
effective participation in SPS 
Committee through a 
regional review of SPS 
compliance structures and 
practices. WTO Member 
countries of the 
Inter-American 
Institute for 
Cooperation on 
Agriculture (IICA) 585,588 Oct-06 Oct-07 /Feb-09 Implementation 
ongoing.   
  G/SPS/GEN/877 
Page 8 
Project Title Objective Implementing/
Oversight 
Agency Beneficiary Budget 
(US$) Approval 
date Start /End DateStatus 
STDF 133 Building 
capacity to use the 
Phytosanitary 
Capacity Evaluation 
(PCE) Tool in 
the Pacific Train National Plant 
Protection Organizations (NPPOs) in the South Pacific 
to evaluate their services 
using the PCE tool.   FAO South Pacific 
Forum Members 261,780 Oct-06 Aug-07 /Jul-09 Implementation 
ongoing.   
STDF 145 Rwanda 
Horticulture 
Export Standards 
Initiative 
(RHESI) Increase Rwanda’s exports 
of fruit, vegetables and 
flowers in international and regional 
markets. Project developed 
based on IF DTIS. World Bank Plant health 
services and 
horticulture exporters in 
Rwanda 526,674 Jun-06 May-07 /Apr-09 Implementation 
ongoing. 
STDF 146 Strengthening 
phytosanitary 
controls in Mali 
(with a focus on mango exports) Expand international market 
access for fresh produce 
from Mali through improved 
phytosanitary control capacity. Project developed 
based on IF DTIS. Ministry of 
Commerce (IF 
focal point) Mali 508,000 Jun-06 Feb-07 / Feb-09 Implementation 
ongoing.   
STDF 114 Effective 
aflatoxin management 
system in Brazil 
nut production   To recover and consolidate 
export market access through implementation of an 
effective system to reduce 
aflatoxin contamination in the Brazil nut production 
chain.  WTO Brazil (results 
will be shared with partners 
in Peru and 
Bolivia) 619,664 Feb-06 Jul-06 / Jul-08 Implementation 
ongoing.   
STDF 65 Develop a 
private/public 
safety control 
system for the horticultural 
export sector in 
Guinea Assist the public and private 
sector to meet official and 
commercial standards for 
fruit and vegetable exports through development of a 
safety control system.  
Project developed based on IF DTIS report. UNCTAD Guinea 600,000 Sep-05 Dec-05 /  May-08 Implementation 
ongoing.  
   G/SPS/GEN/877
 Page 9Project Title Objective Implementing/
Oversight 
Agency Beneficiary Budget 
(US$) Approval 
date Start /End DateStatus 
STDF 79 Quality 
information on SPS issues – a 
prerequisite for 
capacity building Improve the sharing of 
information on Codex, OIE and IPPC standards (and 
supporting scientific 
evaluations) through the International Portal on Food 
Safety, Animal and Plant 
Health (IPFSAPH).  FAO All developing 
countries 470,000 Sep-05  Jun-06 / May-08 Implementation 
ongoing. 
 
 
(c) Completed projects funded by STDF 
 
Project Title Objective Implementing/
Oversight 
Agency Beneficiary Budget 
(US$) Approval 
date Start /End Date Status 
STDF 13 Development of 
Regional Action Plans to Enhance 
Veterinary 
Capacity in East and West Africa Develop regional strategies 
to strengthen veterinary capacity in East and West 
Africa with emphasis on 
improved  surveillance, reporting, 
control and implementation 
of international standards. OIE, FAO Mali, Ethiopia 
and Djibouti 305,000 Sep-04 Oct-06 / Apr-07 Completed. 
STDF 120 Risk anal ysis and 
risk assessment 
training in India Enhance knowledge and 
skills of Indian officials on 
risk analysis and risk 
assessment procedures. WTO India 244,050 Feb-06 Dec-06 / Dec-07 Completed 
STDF 15 Expanding SPS 
capacities at 
national and regional levels Develop a training 
programme and core group 
of trainers to deliver training for veterinary officials.  OIE, WTO OIE delegates 
from Mali, 
Thailand, Egypt, 
Common-
wealth of Independent 
States (OIS) 
and Latin America. 130,614 Sep-04 Sep-04 / Dec-07 Completed.   
  G/SPS/GEN/877 
Page 10 
Project Title Objective Implementing/
Oversight 
Agency Beneficiary Budget 
(US$) Approval 
date Start /End Date Status 
STDF 89 International 
Plant Health Risk Analysis 
Workshop Enhance expertise and 
capacity of countries and NPPOs to conduct pest risk 
analysis (PRA).  
 FAO Officials (29) 
from developing 
and least 
developed countries  147,000 Sep-05 Oct-05 /May-07 Completed. 
Information available on 
IPPC website 
(https://www.ip
pc.int/servlet/C
DSServlet?statu
s=ND01ODQ1N
SY2PWVuJjMz
PSomMzc9a29z
).  
STDF 56 Capacity 
building to 
enhance implementation 
of the Codex 
Alimentarius Code of Practice 
on animal 
feeding Strengthen implementation 
of  good animal feeding 
practices and good manufacturing practices 
through development of 
training manuals, regional workshops in Africa, Latin 
America and Asia and 
country-level training. International 
Feed Industry 
Federation (IFIF) Feed industry 
in developing 
countries. 150,000 Mar-05 Sep-05 / Nov-06 Evaluation 
completed. 
Report distributed at 
Jun-07 WG 
meeting.    
STDF 37 Assistance to 
developing 
countries in the 
implementation of International 
Standard for 
Phytosanitary Measure (ISPM) 
15  Train officials on 
implementation of ISPM 15 
(Guidelines for regulating 
wood packaging material in international trade) to ensure 
minimal trade disruptions. IPPC, FAO 171 delegates 
(representing 
79 countries 
and 6 regional plant 
protection 
organizations) attended 
workshop. 
 332,000 Sep-04 Nov-04 / Mar-06 Completed. 
Training 
materials 
available on IPPC website 
(https://www.ip
pc.int/servlet/C
DSServlet?statu
s=ND00OTEyN
yY2PWVuJjMz
PSomMzc9a29z
)  
   G/SPS/GEN/877
 Page 11Project Title Objective Implementing/
Oversight 
Agency Beneficiary Budget 
(US$) Approval 
date Start /End Date Status 
STDF 14 Evaluation of 
capacity of national 
veterinary 
services  Develop a veterinary 
capacity evaluation tool based on the IICA 
Performance Vision Strategy 
document. OIE IICA  37,000 Nov-03 May-06 Completed.  
STDF 20 Country-based 
plans for SPS-
related 
development Carry out baseline studies of 
SPS capacity and apply cost-
benefit analysis to examine 
returns on investment in 
terms of foreign trade and an 
improved SPS situation.   WTO Peru and 
Uganda 170,862 Sep-03 Nov-04 / Mar-07 Completed. 
Update of 
information 
being 
undertaken by 
Prom Peru. Independent 
evaluation to be 
contracted. 
STDF 19 Model 
arran gements for 
SPS stakeholder 
involvement at the national level Improve SPS-related 
information flows and 
information sharing between 
the public and private sector with positive spin-offs for 
market access WTO Sri Lanka and 
Paraguay 291,218 Sep-04 Dec-04 /Apr-07 Completed.   
Awaiting final 
project report.  
Independent evaluation to be 
undertaken.   
STDF 9 Model 
programme for developing food 
standards within 
a risk analysis framework  Strengthen capacity of low 
income countries in the Asia Pacific Region to develop 
food standards based on 
international requirements and participate in Codex FAO Asia Pacific 
countries 70,848 Nov-03 Mar-05 / Sep-06 Project 
completed.    
  G/SPS/GEN/877 
Page 12 
Project Title Objective Implementing/
Oversight 
Agency Beneficiary Budget 
(US$) Approval 
date Start /End Date Status 
STDF 10 Support to pilot 
activities for national 
implementation 
of the International 
Portal on Food 
Safety, Animal 
and Plant Health 
in Turkey and Uganda  
 Establish national windows 
for IPFSAPH through training and the development 
of a handbook FAO Turkey and 
Uganda 59,400 Sep-03 Mar-05 / Sep-06 Completed.  
Independent evaluation 
planned.  
STDF 5 STDF Database Establish a database 
covering the period 2001-03 to: i) help reduce duplication 
and gaps in activities; and ii) 
track SPS-related technical assistance flows and trends.  WTO Database 73,474 Jun-03 Jul-03 / Dec-05 Project 
completed. Database 
available on 
STDF website (http://stdfdb.wt
o.org).  Report 
submitted to SPS Committee 
(G/SPS/GEN/ 
726). 
   
   G/SPS/GEN/877
 Page 13(d) Projects developed by STDF but funded by other organizations 
 
Project Title Objective Implementing/
Oversight 
Agency Beneficiary Budget in 
US$ Approval 
date Start /End Date Status 
STDF 100 Strengthening the 
national food 
control system for the fisheries 
sector in Cape 
Verde Assist the fish processing 
sector in Cape Verde to 
comply with international food safety standards. To be 
determined. Fish 
processing 
sector in Cape Verde  Jun-07 To be confirmed  
(TBC) Approved in 
principle by the 
WG.  Funding sought outside 
the STDF. 
STDF 113 Strengthening 
SPS controls in 
Burundi Enhance the capacity of 
the Burundi Bureau of 
Standards (BBN) including   training on 
SPS compliance for public 
and private sector officials.   To be 
determined. Burundi 513,000 Mar-07 TBC Project approved 
by WG.  
Funding secured. 
STDF 66 Project 
preparation grant 
in Mozambique  Improve SPS compliance 
for horticulture exporters 
in regional and international markets.  
Project based on IF DTIS.UNCTAD Mozambique 20,000 Mar-05 TBC Project funded 
by United 
Kingdom Department for 
International 
Development (DFID).  
 
(e) Projects for which approval has been revoked by the Working Group  
 
Project Title Objective Implementing/
Oversight 
Agency Beneficiary Budget in 
US$ Approval 
date Status 
STDF 64 Facilitating 
livestock trade in 
Djibouti Facilitate livestock trade 
from Djibouti through 
training for private and 
public sector veterinary officials.  Project based on 
IF DTIS. FAO Djibouti 560,000 Sep-05 Approval withdrawn at Mar-
07 WG meeting.  Applicant 
invited to resubmit project 
for funding. 
  
  G/SPS/GEN/877 
Page 14 
STATUS OF APPROVED PROJEC T PREPARATION GRANTS (PPGs)4  
 
(a) PPGs awaiting contracting 
 
Project Title Objective Implementing/ 
Oversight 
Agency Beneficiary Approval 
date Status 
STDF 
242 Elaboration of SPS 
needs expressed in 
the IF DTIS Assess SPS human resource and 
infrastructure needs based on the 
IF DTIS and formulate a proposal to improve the competitiveness of 
the lychi and lobster sectors.   TBC Comores Jun-08 Pending 
STDF 
232 A phytosanitary 
capacity building 
strategy for Africa Improve phytosanitary capacity in 
African countries through the 
development and implementation 
of a phytosanitary capacity building strategy. TBC Cameroon 
and other 
African 
countries Jun-08 Pending 
STDF 
221 Supporting 
implementation of 
SPS standards in Burkina Faso Identify specific SPS issues and 
constraints affecting sesame 
production and exports and develop a project proposal aimed at 
overcoming these constraints and 
improving market access   GTZ Burkina Faso Apr-08 Pending 
 
(b) PPGs currently being implemented 
 
Project Title Objective Implementing/ 
Oversight 
Agency Beneficiary Approval 
date Status 
STDF 
223 Strengthening the 
official food control 
in Moldova to 
support the 
emerging food businesses Assess requirements to strengthen 
official food controls, standards 
and food inspection based on 
specific priority commodities 
identified in the World Bank Action Plan and develop a 
proposal for follow-up.   FAO Republic of 
Moldova Apr-08 Implementation on-going 
                                                      
4 All PPGs are funded from the ST DF.  The budget for PPGs is US$2 0,000 unless otherwise indicated.   
   G/SPS/GEN/877
 Page 15Project Title Objective Implementing/ 
Oversight 
Agency Beneficiary Approval 
date Status 
STDF 
234 Design of Lao GAP 
scheme Create institutional 
infrastructure to ensure market 
access for agricultural products 
from Lao PDR.  WTO Lao PDR Jun-08 Implementation ongoing 
STDF 
105 Compartment-
alization Design a demonstration project on 
how to apply 
compartmentalization.  OIE Brazil and 
Thailand Jun-07 Implementation ongoing.  
STDF 
191 Enhancing Sierra 
Leone's national 
SPS capacity Design a national SPS framework.  TBC Sierra Leone Jun-07 Implementation ongoing. 
STDF 
172 Expanding 
Nigeria’s food exports through 
enhanced SPS 
capacity Enhance Nigeria's capacity in the 
SPS area and improve the country's ability to export high-
value food products. TBC  Nigeria Mar-07 Implementation ongoing. 
STDF 
165 Improving fruit 
production SPS 
controls in 
Madagascar  Assist Madagascar to establish 
pest-free places of production.   TBC Madagascar Mar-07 and 
Nov-07 Implementation ongoing. 
STDF 
116 Establishment of a 
traceability system 
for the livestock sector in Costa 
Rica Assist in the development of the 
animal health directorate's 
National Epidemiological Surveillance Programme by 
introducing a traceability system 
for livestock farms.  WTO Costa Rica Feb-06 Ongoing. 
STDF 52 Post-harvest 
contamination in 
Malawi and 
Zambia Develop a project proposal to 
address post-harvest contamination 
problems in the paprika and 
groundnut sectors in Malawi and 
Zambia.  Project based on IF 
DTIS. WTO Malawi and 
Zambia Mar-05 Ongoing. 
  
  G/SPS/GEN/877 
Page 16 
(c) Completed PPGs resulting in a project which has been funded 
 
Project Title Objective Implementing/ 
Oversight 
Agency Beneficiary Approval 
date Status 
STDF 126 Assistance to 
establish a horticulture 
industry 
organization in Tanzania Develop a business plan and 
facilitate the establishment of a horticulture association in 
Tanzania. WTO Tanzania  Jun-08 Approved. 
STDF 171 Phytosanitary 
Centre of Excellence Revise a project document to 
establish a Phytosanitary Centre of Excellence in Kenya.  If funded the 
project would address issues raised 
in the IF DTIS reports for Uganda, Tanzania and Rwanda.  WTO Kenya Mar-07 Ongoing. 
STDF 155 Nicaragua 
market-oriented 
training service on standards 
application Survey Nicaragua's SPS 
requirements in the plant health 
sector to improve export competitiveness. Michigan State 
University (MSU) Nicaragua Oct-06 Completed 
STDF 127 Stren gthenin g the 
capacity of the Benin Chamber 
of Commerce to 
track SPS-related development in 
exports markets Establish an information centre 
within the Benin Chamber of Commerce to ensure that firms are 
aware of SPS measures affecting 
their existing or planned exports.  WTO Benin Jun-06 Ongoing. 
STDF 88 Nepal SPS 
training project 
preparation grant Evaluation of the training needs of 
Nepal's SPS authorities and design 
a training programme. FAO Nepal Sep-05 Project approved at WG 
meeting (Mar-07).  
STDF 113 Project 
preparation grant 
to survey food 
safety needs in 
Burundi  Apply the FAO/WHO "Guidelines 
to Assess Capacity Building Needs in Official Food Control Systems" 
to survey the food safety situation 
in Burundi and develop a trade-related project. WTO/ Burundi 
Standards Bureau Burundi Feb-06 Project approved at WG 
meeting (Mar-07).  Decision to seek non-
STDF funding.  
   G/SPS/GEN/877
 Page 17Project Title Objective Implementing/ 
Oversight 
Agency Beneficiary Approval 
date Status 
STDF 102 Project 
preparation grant 
for Mali  Design a project to enhance SPS 
capacity in the fruit and vegetable 
sector. WTO Mali Sep-05 Project approved at WG 
meeting (Jun-06). 
STDF 103 Project 
preparation grant 
for Rwanda Design a project to enhance SPS 
capacity in the fruit and vegetable sector.  WTO Rwanda Sep-05 Project approved at WG 
meeting (Jun-06). 
STDF 62 Project 
preparation grant 
in Cameroon  Apply the FAO/WHO "Guidelines 
to Assess Capacity Building Needs 
in Official Food Control Systems". WTO Cameroon Sep-04 Project approved at WG 
meeting (Aug-05). 
STDF 63 Project 
preparation grant 
in Benin  Application of FAO/WHO 
"Guidelines to Assess Capacity 
Building Needs in Official Food Control Systems".   WTO Benin Mar-05 Project approved at WG 
(Feb-06). 
STDF 69 Project 
preparation grant 
in Yemen  Survey of SPS issues in the 
fisheries sector an d project design.  
Project based on needs identified in IF DTIS report.   WTO Yemen Mar-05 Project approved at WG 
meeting (Feb-06). 
STDF 64 Project 
preparation grant 
in Djibouti  Field research and design of 
project in the livestock sector in 
Djibouti.  Project based on needs identified in IF DTIS report.  WTO Djibouti Mar-05 Project approved at WG 
meeting (Sep-05). 
STDF 65 Project 
preparation grant 
in Guinea  Develop a project proposal that 
builds on the UNCTAD evaluation 
of costs of compliance in the tropical fruit sect or.  Project based 
on needs identified in IF DTIS 
report.  UNCTAD Guinea Mar-05 Project approved at WG 
meeting (Sep-05). 
STDF 66 Project 
preparation grant 
in Mozambique  Develop a project proposal that 
builds on the UNCTAD evaluation 
of costs of compliance in the tropical fruit sect or.  Project based 
on needs identified in IF DTIS 
report.  UNCTAD Mozambique Mar-05 Project funded by DFID.  
  G/SPS/GEN/877 
Page 18 
(d) Completed PPGs for projects which have not  been funded 
 
Project Title Objective Implementing/
Oversight 
Agency Beneficiary Approval 
date Status 
STDF 46 Project 
preparation grant on implementation 
of Codex standards 
(WHO Africa) Assist WHO Africa to 
develop a project proposal to support selected African 
countries to implement 
Codex standards. WHO/WTO Benin and 
Tanzania. Feb-06 Completed. 
STDF 38 Agricultural 
Health and Food 
Safety Laboratory Needs Assessment 
for CARICOM 
Countries Survey laboratory capacity 
in CARICOM to develop a 
project to assist in development of a regional 
strategy on laboratory 
infrastructure. CARICOM Caribbean 
countries. Sept-04. Initial laboratory survey completed 
but no final project document 
submitted. 
STDF 100 Strengthening the 
national food 
control system for 
the fisheries sector in Cape Verde Assist the fish processing 
sector in Cape Verde to 
comply with international 
food safety standards. WTO Fish 
processing 
sector in Cape 
Verde Set-05 Completed 
STDF 
101 Eritrea project 
preparation grant Apply FAO/WHO 
"Guidelines to Assess 
Capacity Building Needs in Official Food Control 
Systems" and design a 
project. WTO Eritrea Sep-05 Fieldwork complete.  Report and 
project submitted to WG. Project 
not accepted for funding.  
STDF 61 Project 
preparation grant 
in Cambodia  Fieldwork in Cambodia to 
develop a project proposal.  
Grant application presented 
in July 2005.  Cambodia Mar-05 Fieldwork complete.  Report and 
project submitted to WG.  Project 
not accepted for funding.  
   G/SPS/GEN/877
 Page 19(e) PPGs revoked by the Working Group 
 
Project Title Objective Implementing/
Oversight 
Agency Beneficiary Approval dateStatus 
STDF 68 Project preparation 
grant on SPS cooperation for South 
Asian Association for 
Regional Coperation (SAARC)  Support regional cooperation on 
SPS issues among SAARC countries.    TBC SAARC Mar-05 Delay in implementation 
for over two years.  WG meeting (Mar-07) decided 
to withdraw PPG approval 
and invite SAARC to re-apply. 
 
 
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