WORLD TRADE  
ORGANIZATION  G/SPS/GEN/774 
8 May 2007 
 (07-1905) 
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 (S TDF) is both a coordinating and a financing 
mechanism. Its Medium Term Strategy (2007-2 011), adopted in December 2006, places greater 
emphasis on the STDF as a vehicle for coordinatio n among technical cooperation providers, for the 
exchange of experience, and for the disseminati on of good practice in the provision and receipt of 
SPS-related technical co-operation.  The STDF conti nues to provide funding for projects, but with 
more focus on project development through the use of project preparation grants (PPGs) and on the mobilization of donors to fund resultant projects. 
2. To implement the Medium Term Strategy, a ta rget level of annual funding of US$5 million 
has been established by the STDF Policy Committee.  This target is still some way from being 
achieved for 2007 and forthcoming years, and a fundi ng strategy is being deve loped.  This strategy 
will aim to raise the profile of the STDF in the wider donor community, pursue contacts with existing 
and potential donors, and complement the broade r Aid for Trade and Enhanced Integrated 
Framework (IF) initiatives. 
3. At its last meeting on 2 March 2007, the STDF Working Group approved a further three 
projects and three project preparation grants for f unding, and withdrew its approval for four projects 
due to implementation delays of over one year.  Fo r these four projects, applicants were invited to 
update their applications and re-apply for funding at  the next meeting of the Working Group.  The 
total number of projects and PPGs approved by the STDF currently stands at 22 projects and 
23 PPGs.  Six projects were completed in 2006 and evaluations of three of these projects are in the 
process of being finalized.  Further evaluations are commissioned and/or planned for all five STDF projects finishing in 2007. 
4. Applications for STDF funding may be made at any point in the year.  Provided that 
applications are received within the appropriate deadline, they will be considered at the following 
STDF Working Group.  The Working Group will meet twice more in 2007, on 29 June and 
(tentatively) on 20 October 2007.  The deadline for the submission of project proposals for the October meeting is 2 September 2007.  More deta iled information on the STDF can be found at the 
website: www.standardsfacility.org
. 
                                                      
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. G/SPS/GEN/774 
Page 2  
 
  Regional consultations 
5. The Medium Term Strategy places greater emphasis on the STDF acting as a vehicle for 
coordination among technical cooperati on providers and beneficiaries.  As part of its coordination 
function, the STDF will organize regional consulta tions which will examine issues related to the 
provision and receipt of SPS-related technical cooperation.  To catalyze these consultations, research 
on tracking flows of SPS-related tec hnical cooperation and the continuing needs of recipient countries 
in the SPS area will be carried out.  The consultati ons will also provide an opportunity for donors, 
beneficiaries and other relevant  organizations to identify good practice and to establish future 
SPS-related technical cooperation priorities. 
6. On the basis of an evaluation of the pilot ev ents, further regional consultations would be 
planned for 2008 and beyond.  The intention would be  to cover all regions during the life of the 
Medium Term Strategy. 
Funding strategy  
7. The STDF has limited resources and new contribu tions from donors are actively being sought 
to implement its work programme for 2007 and fu ture years.  A new funding strategy is being 
developed which seeks to raise the profile of the ST DF in the wider donor community.  Key to this 
awareness raising is complementing the broa der Aid for Trade and Enhanced Integrated 
Framework (IF) initiatives.  Significant efforts will be made to publicize the STDF in these ongoing 
programmes and their events.   
8. Developing synergies between the STDF and th e IF has been successful in the past, in 
particular by building on the Diagnostic Trade In tegration Studies (DTIS) and designing projects from 
the priorities identified in these documents.  The enhancement of the IF provides new opportunities 
for future STDF - IF collaboration.  In particul ar, projects developed under STDF PPGs and reflecting 
DTIS priorities could be picked up for funding through the Enhanced IF.  To this end, STDF's project development function and catalyst role will be brought  to the attention of IF national coordinating 
committees and donors.  
New projects approved 
 
9. A total of seven project grant applications  and two PPGs were considered by the STDF 
Working Group at its meeting on 2 March 2007.  Of these funding requests, a total of three projects 
and two PPGs were approved for funding.  It is to  be noted that implementation of these projects 
depends on the conclusion and signature of the general framework agreement between WTO and 
FAO regulating the implementation and supervision of STDF projects. 
10. In line with the STDF's function to catalyze resources in the SPS area from the broader donor 
community, project STDF 113 in Burundi was approved by the STDF Working Group but a decision was taken to seek funding outside the Facility.  Discussi ons are in an advanced stage on the funding of 
this project by a bilateral donor.  Likewise, a PPG  for project STDF 171 was approved with the same 
intention of soliciting funds from the broader donor community.  G/SPS/GEN/774 
 Page 3 
 
 
  Table 1:  New projects approved for funding 
 
Project title Description Project budget 
(US$) 
STDF 173: Strengthening 
capacity in assessing food 
control systems in developing 
APEC Member Economies 
 The project aims to develop the knowledge of food safety 
regulators from developing Asia Pacific Economic 
Cooperation (APEC) countries. The project promotes and 
facilitates the use of two new FAO food safety capacity 
evaluation tools. 96,500 
STDF 170: Strengthening the 
capacity of government SPS 
officials in Nepal. 
 The project aims to develop a basic training program to 
support implementation of  the SPS Agreement. 321,600 
STDF 134: Capacity building 
for improving the fish trade 
performance of selected 
African countries  The project aims to further develop capacity built by 
other project efforts in five African countries (competent 
authorities and industry) to ensure that SPS issues are 
well understood and do not constrain the export of fish and fishery products. 469,000 
 
Table 2:  New project preparation grants approved for funding 
 
Project title Description Project budget 
(US$) 
STDF 172 Expanding 
Nigeria’s Food Exports 
through Enhanced SPS Capacity. PPG to develop a project that should enhance Nigeria's 
capacity in the SPS area and im prove the country's ability 
to export high value food products  20,000 
STDF 171: African 
Phytosanitary Centre of 
Excellence PPG to further develop a project to establish an African 
Phytosanitary Centre of Excellence in Kenya for both 
public and private sector 20,000 
STDF 165: Improving fruit 
production SPS controls in 
Madagascar 
 PPG approved for Madagascar subject to the Secretariat 
receiving further informatio n on the competence of the 
local implementing organization and further information 
on a previous EC-funded project.   
 20,000 
 
On-going and completed projects 
11. Table 3 below provides an overview of the implementation status of STDF projects and 
PPGs.  Summaries on projects, PPGs and accompanyi ng reports have been updated and will soon be 
available on the STDF website ( www.standardsfacility.org ).  It is to be noted that implementation of 
project STDF 133 will be supervised by the IPPC S ecretariat.  Its commencement therefore depends 
on the conclusion and signature of the general fra mework agreement between WTO and FAO.  For 
the supervision of project STDF 145, negotiations with the local World Bank office in Rwanda are 
ongoing.   
12. Evaluations of three STDF projects are ongoing .  Evaluation reports will be presented and 
discussed at the next meeting of the STDF Work ing Group and made available on the STDF website.  
The three projects are as follows:   
• STDF 14:  Development of a veterinary capacity  evaluation tool by the OIE in collaboration 
with IICA 
• STDF 37:  Organization of a workshop addr essing issues surrounding the implementation of 
ISPM No. 15 (Guidelines for regulating wood pack aging material in international trade) G/SPS/GEN/774 
Page 4  
 
  • STDF 56:  Development of a Manual of Good Practice for Animal Feeding and providing 
practical support and guidance for the implementa tion of the Codex Code of Practice on Good 
Animal Feeding 
Project approvals withdrawn 
13. Four projects were withdrawn for funding at the March 2007 Working Group meeting.  
Implementation of each project had been outstanding for over one year.  In the case of three projects 
(STDF 62, 64 and 69), the delay was due to failu re to agree implementation arrangements for STDF 
projects between FAO, the World Bank, and the WTO.  To rectify this situation, agreement on a general framework agreement is at an advanced stage with FAO.  It  is hoped that a similar agreement 
will be signed with the World Bank shortly.    
14. For one additional project, STDF 48, the withdr awal of approval was caused by additional 
updates to the project document requested by the Working Group and delays on the part of the 
applicant in providing the information sought.  In a ll cases, the applicants were invited to resubmit 
their funding applications.   
   G/SPS/GEN/774
 Page 5IMPLEMENTATION STATUS OF STDF PROJ ECTS AND PROJECT PREPARATION GRANTS 
 
STATUS OF APPROVED PROJECTS 
 
 
(a) Projects awaiting contracting 
 
Project Title Objective Implementing 
Agency Beneficiary Budget 
in US$ Approval 
date Start /End 
Date Status 
STDF 173 Strengthening 
capacity in assessing food 
control 
systems in developing 
APEC Member 
Economies 
 To train food safety 
regulators from developing Asia Pacific 
Economic Cooperation 
(APEC) countries in the use of FAO's food safety 
capacity evaluation tools.  
Knowledge acquired will then be applied by 
participants in their home 
countries. FSANZ/FAO Developing 
APEC countries 96,500 Mar-07 To be 
confirmed 
(TBC) Approved in principle - subject to 
revision to reflect changes requested by the Working Group (WG).  March 
2008 deadline for contracting   
Awaiting revised project document.  
STDF 170 Strengthening 
the capacity of 
government SPS officials 
in Nepal To train government 
officials on SPS 
implementation issues.  Project developed from 
Integrated Framework 
Diagnostic Trade Integration Study.  FAO Nepal 321,600 Mar-07 TBC Approved in principle - subject to 
revision to reflect changes requested 
by the WG.  March 2008 deadline for contracting.  Awaiting revised project 
document.   
STDF 134 Capacity 
building for 
improving the fish trade 
performance of 
selected African 
countries 
 To improve knowledge 
and awareness of SPS 
issues in the fisheries sector  in five African 
countries.  FAO Benin, 
Mauritania, 
Senegal, Sierra Leone 
and The 
Gambia 469,000 Mar-07 TBC Project approved, but awaiting FAO 
update of project document and 
signature of WTO-FAO agreement on STDF project implementation and 
associated letter of agreement.  March 
2008 deadline for contracting    
  G/SPS/GEN/774 
Page 6 Project Title Objective Implementing 
Agency Beneficiary Budget 
in US$ Approval 
date Start /End 
Date Status 
STDF 108 Institutional 
capacity of 
countries in the Americas Peer review of SPS 
compliance building on 
the Initiatives of the Americas.  The project 
will build on the IICA 
Initiative of the America by conducting a peer 
survey of SPS structures 
and practice in IICA countries. IICA IICA 
Countries 585,588 Oct-06 TBC Awaiting final letters of support from 
all IICA countries.  WG decided to 
revoke approval if all letters have not been received by mid-May. 
 
STDF 133 Phytosanitary 
capacity evaluation in 
the Pacific Application of the 
phytosanitary capacity evaluation tool in the 
South Pacific. South Pacific 
Forum Secretariat South Pacific 
Forum Members 261,780 Oct-06 TBC Contracting dependant on finalization 
of FAO – WTO Framework Agreement (IPPC Secretariat being the 
supervising agency).  Oct-07 deadline 
for contracting. 
STDF 145 Rwanda 
Horticulture 
Export 
Standards Initiative 
(RHESI) To strengthen the plant 
health management 
systems in Rwanda.  The 
project will address plant health related issues for 
specific commodities.  
Project developed from the Integrated Framework 
(IF) Diagnostic Trade 
Integration Study (DTIS). Michigan State 
University Rwanda 526,674 June-06 TBC Awaiting appointment of supervisory 
agency  to overs ee implementation.  
Discussions on-going with World 
Bank office in Kigali.   June-07 deadline for contracting  
  
   G/SPS/GEN/774
 Page 7 
(b) On-going projects funded by STDF 
 
Project  Title Objective Implementing 
Agency Beneficiary Budget 
in US$ Approval 
date Start /End 
Date Status 
STDF 146 Strengthening 
phytosanitary 
controls in 
Mali – with particular 
reference to 
mango exports To strengthen 
phytosanitary control 
capacity in Mali.  Project 
developed from the IF DTIS. Ministry of 
Commerce (IF 
focal point) Mali 508,000 June-06 Feb-07/ 
Feb-09 Contracted. Implementation 
commenced in February 2007. 
STDF 120 Risk analysis 
and risk 
assessment training in 
India Provide training on risk 
analysis and risk 
assessment procedures for key Indian officials. WTO India 244,050 Feb-06 Dec-07/ 
Dec 08 Implementation underway.  Food 
safety and plant health training 
complete. 
STDF 114 Effective 
aflatoxin 
management 
system in 
Brazil nut production  Research into factors 
affecting aflatoxin contamination in Brazil 
nut production and 
provides training to meet international standards.  
Results will be shared 
with other producers in the region. WTO Brazil (Peru 
and Bolivia) 619,664 Feb-06 Jul-06 / Jul-
08 Implementation ongoing.   
STDF 65 Support to 
compliance 
with official and 
commercial 
standards in the fruit and 
vegetable 
sector in Guinea Assisting the public and 
private sector in Guinea 
in training to meet official and commercial 
standards for fruit and 
vegetable exports.   Project developed to 
respond to issue 
identified in Guinea's IF DTIS report UNCTAD Guinea 600,000 Sep-05 Dec-05 / 
May-08 Implementation ongoing.  
  G/SPS/GEN/774 
Page 8 Project  Title Objective Implementing 
Agency Beneficiary Budget 
in US$ Approval 
date Start /End 
Date Status 
STDF 79 Quality 
information on SPS issues- a 
pre requisite 
for capacity building  Improving the sharing of 
information on official standards (including the 
supporting scientific 
evaluations) developed by OIE, IPPC and Codex 
on the International 
Portal on Food Safety, Animal and Plant Health 
(IPSAPH).  The project 
will improve the sustainability of core 
resources for IPSAPH. FAO All 
developing countries 470,000 Sep-05 /  June 2006 / 
May-08 Implementation ongoing. 
STDF 13 Development 
of Regional Action Plans 
for Selected 
African Regions to 
Enhance 
Veterinary Capacity  Design of regional 
approach to strengthen veterinary capacity in 
East and West Africa. . OIE/FAO Mali, 
Ethiopia and Djibouti 305,000 Sep-04 Oct-06 / 
Apr-07 Project under implementation.   
STDF 15 Expanding SPS 
Capacities at National and 
Regional 
Levels Additional training for 
veterinary officials after WTO technical 
assistance activities. OIE 
has commissioned a training syllabus of 
general use for technical 
co-operation activities.  OIE Workshops 
held in Mali, Thailand, 
Egypt, CIS  
and in Latin America. 130,614 Sep-04 Sep-04 / 
Nov-07 Project completed according to 
original project Terms of Reference.  Plans being made to extend the 
training to a WTO regional workshop 
for COMESA countries in 2007.   
   G/SPS/GEN/774
 Page 9 
 
(c) Completed projects funded by STDF 
 
Project  Title Objective Implementing 
Agency Beneficiary Budget 
in US$ Approval 
date Start /End 
Date Status 
STDF 89 International 
Plant Health Risk Analysis 
Workshop Project provided funding 
for 29 developing and least-developed country 
officials to attend a 
workshop on pest risk 
analysis in Canada on 24-
28 October 2005.   FAO Developing 
and Least-Developing 
Country 
participants 
in workshop. 147,000 Sep-05 Oct-05 / 
May-07 Completed  Information to be found at: 
https://www.ippc.int/servlet/CDSServle
t?status=ND01ODQ1NSY2PWVuJjMz
PSomMzc9a29z .  
STDF 56 Capacity 
building for 
implementation of the Codex 
Alimentarius 
Code of Practice for 
animal feeding Training on 
implementation of the 
Codex Code of Good Practice on Animal 
Feeding through a series 
of regional workshops in Africa, Latin America 
and Asia. International 
Feed Industry 
Federation (IFIF) Feed industry 
in developing 
countries. 150,000 Mar-05 Sep-05 / 
Nov-06 Completed. Evaluation on-going. 
STDF 37 Assistance to 
Developing 
Countries in 
the Implementatio
n of ISPM 15  Project centrepiece, a 
workshop on 
implementation of ISPM 
15, was held in Vancouver, Canada on 28 
February – 4 March 2005.  IPPC/ FAO Participants 
at ISPM 15 
workshop 332,000 Sep-04 Nov-04 / 
Mar-06 Completed. Evaluation on-going.  
Training materials related to the 
workshop can be found on the IPPC 
website at https://www.ippc.int/servlet/CDSServle
t?status=ND00OTEyNyY2PWVuJjMz
PSomMzc9a29z   
  G/SPS/GEN/774 
Page 10 Project  Title Objective Implementing 
Agency Beneficiary Budget 
in US$ Approval 
date Start /End 
Date Status 
STDF 14 OIE veterinary 
capacity evaluation 
project Development of a 
veterinary capacity evaluation tool based on 
the Performance Vision 
Strategy document of the Inter-American Institute 
for Co-operation on 
Agriculture.   Africa.  The  veterinary capacity 
evaluation was endorsed 
at the OIE International 
Committee meeting on 
(21-26 May 2006.   OIE IICA  37,000 Nov-03 May-06 Completed.  Independent evaluation 
on-going.  See http://www.oie.int/eng/oie/organisation
/en_vet_eval_tool.htm?e1d2  for more 
details.  OIE's collaborating centre in Lyon has trained a group of OIE-
approved evaluators to use the tool. 
STDF 20 Country-based 
plans for SPS-related 
development To undertake baseline 
studies of SPS capacity and apply cost-benefit 
analysis to examine the  
returns on investment in terms of foreign trade and 
an improved SPS 
situation.  Fieldwork in 
Uganda and Peru.  WTO Peru and 
Uganda 170,862 Sep-03 Nov-04 / 
March-07 Completed. Independent evaluation to 
be contracted.  
   G/SPS/GEN/774
 Page 11Project  Title Objective Implementing 
Agency Beneficiary Budget 
in US$ Approval 
date Start /End 
Date Status 
STDF 19 Model 
arrangements for SPS 
stakeholder 
involvement at the national 
level To examine national 
arrangements for the circulation of SPS 
information at national 
level among relevant stakeholders and to make 
recommendations of 
general applicability on how this co-ordination 
may be improved.  
Fieldwork in  Paraguay 
and Sri Lanka.   Project 
extended until April 2007 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  Food safety risk analysis 
training for policy makers in the Asia Pacific region  FAO Asia Pacific 
countries 70,848 Nov-03 Mar-05 / 
Sep-06 Project completed.   
STDF 10 International 
Portal on Food 
Safety, Animal and Plant 
Health project Establishment of national 
windows to the 
International Portal on Food Safety, Animal and 
Plant Health.  Fieldwork 
undertaken in Turkey and  Uganda.   FAO Turkey and 
Uganda 59,400 Sep-03 Mar-05 / 
Sep-06 Completed.  Independent evaluation 
planned.   
  G/SPS/GEN/774 
Page 12 Project  Title Objective Implementing 
Agency Beneficiary Budget 
in US$ Approval 
date Start /End 
Date Status 
STDF 5 STDF 
Database Database on SPS 
technical assistance established at 
http://stdfdb.wto.org.  
Data covers years 2001-2003. WTO Database 73,474 Jun-03 Jul-03 / 
Dec-05 Project completed.  Report prepared for 
SPS Committee in document G/SPS/GEN/726. 
 
 
(d) Completed PPGs for projects which have not  been funded 
  
Project  Title Objective Implementing 
Agency Beneficiary Approval 
date Status 
STDF 101 Eritrea project 
preparation 
grant Fieldwork focused on applying the 
FAO/WHO developed "Guidelines to 
Assess Capacity Building Needs in Official Food Control Systems" and 
designing a project on the basis of 
findings. WTO Eritrea Sep-05 Fieldwork complete.  Report and 
project submitted to the STDF 
Working Group. Project not accepted for funding. 
 
STDF 61 Project 
preparation 
grant in 
Cambodia  Fieldwork undertaken in Cambodia.  Grant 
application presented in July 2005.   Cambodia Mar-05 Fieldwork complete.  Report and 
project submitted to the STDF 
Working Group.  Project not accepted 
for funding.  
   G/SPS/GEN/774
 Page 13 
(e) PPGs revoked by the Working Group 
 
Project  Title Objective Implementing 
Agency Beneficiary Approval 
date Status 
STDF 105 Project 
preparation 
grant on compartment-
alization A concept project to design a 
demonstration project on how to apply 
compartmentalization.    OIE TBC Sep-05 In March 2007, the Working Group 
decided to withdraw approval for the 
PPG but to invite the OIE to update the application and re-apply for the 
next meeting in June 2007. 
STDF 68 Project 
preparation 
grant on South 
Asian Association for 
Regional Co-
operation 
(SAARC) SPS 
co-operation Support for efforts at regional co-operation 
on SPS among SAARC countries.    TBC SAARC Mar-05 Delay in implementation for more than 
two years.  In March 2007, the 
Working Group decided to withdraw 
approval for the PPG but to invite the SAARC to re-apply. 
 
 
 
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