WORLD TRADE  
ORGANIZATION  G/SPS/GEN/656 
27 March 2006 
 (06-1369) 
Committee on Sanitary a nd Phytosanitary Measures Original:   English 
  
 
 
IMPLEMENTATION OF THE SPS AGREEMENT:  
EXPERIENCES AND ISSUES 
 
Information for the Workshop on 31 March 2006
 
 
Communication from Nepal  
  
 The following communication, received on 24 Marc h 2006, is being circulated at the request 
of the Delegation of Nepal. 
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1. In preparation for the Workshop on the Implem entation of the SPS Agreement, participants 
were invited to provide information relating to th eir experiences in relation to the issues to be 
discussed.  The following are the resp onses of Dr Prakash Raj Shrestha. 
Introduction 
 
2. Nepal, a landlocked country sandwiched be tween India and China, was offered WTO 
membership in September 2003 during the fourth WT O Ministerial Conference at Cancun, Mexico.  
Nepal became the 147
th Member of the WTO on 23 April 2004 to join WTO.  Thereafter, we have 
been working hard to meet the obligations committed while signing the Agreement.   
3. It is my privilege to attend this Workshop as a Nepalese delegate and I have listed below 
some facts and information on SPS regarding my country.  I am hopeful that Members will listen to our issues and provide feedback.   
Participation in SPS Committee 
 4. Nepal has been participating regularly in the SPS Committee.  Our Geneva-based 
representative has attended most SPS Workshops in  the past.  The Ministry of Industries and 
Commerce has informed me about this Workshop and I have been informed that national obligations, 
progress and shortfalls regarding SPS measure s will be discussed in the Workshop.  
SPS Situation in Nepal 
 
5. A SPS central coordination committee has alrea dy been formed.  It is headed by the 
Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture and Co-operatives, and includes representation from Ministry of Industry and Commerce, Ministry of Forest and So il Conservation, Ministry of Health, Animal and 
Plant Quarantine offices.  National traders and manu facturers, who are the members of the Federation 
of Nepalese Chamber of Commerce and Industries (FNCCI), are also working closely with the 
government.  Exporters find out about new SPS requi rements or trading partners through the WTO 
wing of FNCCI which is the apex body of polic y lobbying business persons.  Exporters and other 
stakeholders are also informed during business m eetings and interactions organized by FNCCI.  G/SPS/GEN/656 
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  Training is also being organized to inform th e government and business people about SPS and other 
WTO-related issues and obligations.  A separate website spsenquiry.gov.np
 has been launched by the 
Department of Food Technology and Quality Cont rol, the national enquiry point for SPS, to 
disseminate information regarding SPS.  Furthermore,  spokespersons of the re spective ministries also 
release regular press releases to let others know about the developments regarding WTO and SPS.  
6. As part of our attempts to abide by th e SPS obligations and implement them, some 
institutional restructuring has been made where by new Quality Control Labs, Veterinary Public 
Health Offices, Central Epidemiology Office, new plant and animal quarantine check posts are 
established and are being strengthened.  
Efforts made to meet the Obligations 
 7. In order to pave the way for the smooth entry into WTO, Nepal has given priority to WTO 
and SPS-related issues.  The resources so far avai lable for the concerned departments have been 
allocated according to the national goal as envisaged by the National Planning Commission, HMG/N Nepal which broadly facilitates agribusiness by strengthening their qualities to have access into 
international markets.  While developing a plan  the National Planning Commission refers to the 
commitments made by HMG/N Nepal in national and international forum and also interacts with the 
concerning Departments, institutions  and stakeholders in order to  promote the agro-based private 
sector. 
• Our tenth five-year plan has stressed agricultu ral exports and institutional development of the 
national quarantine system.  
• Animal Health and Livestock Services, Sla ughter House and Meat Inspection acts have 
already been passed.  The first one is in effect while the latter one has not entered into effect 
yet.  
• The existing Plant Protection Act has been revised as per the requirement of SPS and IPPC.  
It is about to be endorsed soon by the government.  
• 20 District Food Inspectors are deployed in 20 populated districts of Teari who monitor the 
industries and food markets of the respective areas. 
 
 Certification system: 
 
• We have been developing a nd adopting certification system as per WTO requirements. 
 
 Infrastructure: 
 
• Documentation:  A National Pest Status Database of diseases, pests, weeds, on the 20 most 
prioritized commercial crops has been established. 
• A National Phytosanitary Database has been established. 
 
Identification of Technical Assistance Needs 
 
8. The Central SPS Co-ordination Committee identifi es the national need of technical assistance 
after consultation with respective Ministries and concerned Departments and business people, 
international governmental organizations like FAO and WHO. 
9. A FAO funded project on Strengthening Plant Quarantine Services of Nepal is in action 
which is working mainly on plant quarantine re lated issues.  But assistance is expected in 
strengthening animal quarantine systems, food la bs and veterinary and livestock quality control 
laboratories.  Furthermore, we need to have hu man resources capable of meeting the international  G/SPS/GEN/656 
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  trade obligations.  It is therefore strongly urged th at assistance be provided to train our quarantine and 
laboratory staff in order to help our coun try get its share of international trade. 
Our Experiences so far 
 
• We need assistance in areas like HRD related to disease risk analysis, disease diagnosis and 
infrastructural development to meet the obligations made earlier. 
• We need support on the above issues from developed countries and other Members. 
• The porous border with India has made cross border quarantine and certification systems 
more complicated. 
• A "one roof" system of the quarantine ser vices at the Department level would be 
recommended, as the process one should pass thro ugh would be simplified and less overhead 
cost would be needed. 
• A policy of training and exposure to the right people would be helpful. 
• Nepal may need some more time after the dead line of getting into WTO, i.e. 1 January 2007. 
 
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