G/SPS/GEN/2205  
 
29 February  2024 
(24-1923) Page: 1/2 
Committee on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures  Original: English  
 
INFORMATION TO MEMBERS  
INTRODUCING THE EU -FUNDED AGRINFO INFORMATION PROGRAMME  
ON NEW EU POLICIES AND REGULATIONS  
COMMUNICATION  FROM  THE EUROPEAN UNION  
The following proposal , received on  28 February  2024, is being circulated at the request of the 
delegation of the European Union . 
 
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1.  The European Union (EU) is hosting a hybrid SPS side event organi zed in partnership with the 
Committee  Linking Entrepreneurship -Agriculture -Development (COLEAD), "Introducing the 
EU-funded AGRINFO information programme on new EU policies and regulations" on 
Tuesday,  19 March 2024 from 2:00 to 3:00 p.m. (CET).  
2.  AGRINFO is a 5 -year information programme funde d by the European Union for developing and 
emerging countries with a budget of 7M€. The AGRINFO information system covers EU policies, 
regulatory and non -regulatory measures that have a potential impact on the competitiveness, 
market access and trade dynam ics of agri -food and fisheries value chains linked to the EU market. 
Its overall aim is to contribute to improved food quality and safety, and to increased sustainability 
of food, agricultural production and fisheries, in partner countries.1 
3.  Complying wit h EU regulations and standards is a major factor in achieving market access and 
encouraging domestic and foreign investment in trade. Evolving regulatory and market requirements 
can pose a challenge for developing and emerging economies exporting goods to Europe, impacting 
both private and public stakeholders. This programme provides access to clear and timely 
information with the overall aim of helping to minimise any negative impacts, while optimi zing 
opportunities that result from new measures and regula tions that affect production, business, 
and trade.  
4.  AGRINFO also aims to encourage greater participation by partner countries and stakeholders in 
consultation opportunities. The EU regulatory and policy -making process is explained through 
written guidance ( as well as on -request webinars), and there is proactive communication to 
encourage and facilitate feedback to EU SPS/TBT notifications to the WTO, and EU consultations.  
5.  AGRINFO  is a unique service that identifies, monitors and communicates information on 
regulatory changes that have a potential impact on the competitiveness, market access and trade 
dynamics of partner beneficiaries. It adds value to existing information sources by focusing on and 
highlighting changes that are most relevant to low - and middle - income countries, by identifying 
potential implications and recommended actions, and by proactively communicating so that this 
information reaches the people who need it at the right time, and in an understandable form.  
 
1 Partner countries are defined as low -income, lower -middle income and upper -middle -income 
economies, categori zed according to the DAC List of ODA Recipients . G/SPS/GEN/2205  
 
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  6.  The AGRINFO platform and communications also direct users to relevant complementary 
resources such as:  ePing SPS&TBT Platform (ePing) ; EUR-Lex; Better Training for Safer Food (BTSF) ; 
Access2markets ; CBI; ITC Standards Maps ; and COLEAD Library  and E-learning . 
7.  COLEAD works closely with the European Commission 's Directorate -General for International 
Partnerships (DG INTPA), other EU DGs, EU delegations, Brussels Embassies and Trade Missions, 
donor programmes, a nd industry representatives, to establish bridges with the intended targets of 
the information service. The direct target partner beneficiaries are competent authorities, business 
associations, and farmer organi zations in partner countries. The expectation  is that these entities 
will act as relays to extract, adapt, and transfer information to the end users who need and must 
act upon it, in both public and private sectors.  
8.  AGRINFO activities and outputs include the following:  
a. Daily monitoring of EU policies , regulatory and non -regulatory measures and standards in 
agri-food and fisheries to identify new and upcoming changes that could have a potential 
impact on competitiveness, market access and trade dynamics in partner countries ; 
b. Drafting of reports on all relevant changes, and incorporating these into an open access, 
searchable database: http://www.agrinfo.eu/ . PDF versions of each report can be 
downloaded for printing or exporting for  wider dissemination. Reports are written in 
English using accessible language targeted towards partner beneficiaries in partner 
countries; translation facilities are being introduced during 2024. Each report explains 
what changes are being introduced; why  they are necessary; the timeline and expected 
entry into force; the likely implications for partner countries; and recommended actions. 
Links are provided to the associated legal texts and policy documents ; 
c. Proactive communication, including via a regular  newsletter, regulatory digests, guidance 
documents, and webinars. The newsletter is issued every two to three weeks highlighting 
the latest changes (including WTO notifications), with links to the full database reports. 
It emphasizes opportunities to feed  into the policy or regulatory process, with links to 
ePing, EU Have Your Say , or others. Subscrip tion to the newsletter is open access and 
free; 
d. Hosting the Ask AGRINFO  service, where partner -beneficiaries can submit questions via 
the database about the service, to seek clarification on a particular regulatory change, or 
to raise concerns about potential impacts. When appropriate, these  questions are relayed 
to the European Commission services ; 
e. Understanding and identifying risks and opportunities associated with evolving EU policies, 
regulatory and non -regulatory measures, and evaluating their potential impact on partner 
beneficiaries. AGRINFO has developed an innovative prioriti zation methodology that helps 
to identify countries and value chains that are particularly vulnerable to regulatory change 
that could disrupt their trade. This indicates where proactive communication is needed, 
where more in -depth market analyses or impact studies would be beneficial, and where 
there is potential need for accompanying measures.  
9.  AGRINFO is implemented by COLEAD , a not -for-profit private sector association. The mission of 
COLEAD is to facilitate and implement all actions allowing, directly and/or indirectly, to increase the 
contribution of the agricultural sector, and horticulture in particular, to the achievement of the 
UN Sustainable Development Goals. COLEAD manages and implements development programmes  
in the agriculture and food sector, funded by donors, amongst which the E uropean Union is the most 
important.  
10.  The European Commission and COLEAD welcome the opportunity to share more information at 
the side event on 19 March  2024. The event will give an overview of AGRINFO, highlighting the 
services available, and welcoming feedback fro m participants on potential improvement that will 
ensure the programme meets the information needs of WTO Members . 
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