SANITARY AND PHYTOSANITARY AGREEMENT OF WTO by AMBROSE CHINEKE (DIRECTOR PLANT QUARANTINE) NIGERIA AGRICULTURAL QUARAMTINE SERVICE

Sanitary (Human and Animal Health) and Phytosanitary (Plant Health) Agreement of the WTO It is the international agreement on standards and regulations governing the movement and trade in agriculture commodities aimed at applying food safety and protecting the health of humans, animal and plant without unduly restricting trade in food, feeds, plants and animals and their products. The agreement is domiciled with the World Trade Organisation.

Basic Rules of SPS The agreement on the application of SPS measures in setting out the basic rules for food safety, animal and plant health allows the following:-  Allows countries to set their own standards.  That the regulations must be based on science or scientific justification.  Be applied only to the extent necessary to protect human, animal or plant life or health.  The standards of member countries should not arbitrarily or unjustifiably discriminate between countries where identified or similar condition prevail.  Member countries are encouraged to use international standards, guidelines and recommendations where they exist.

SPS Triangle Food Safety (Codex = CAC) Trade (SPS/WTO) Plant Health Animal Health (IPPC) (OIE)

IPPC – International Plant Protection Organisation CAC – Codex Alimentarius Commission OIE – Office International des Epizooties also known as World Animal Health Organisation SPS/WTO – Sanitary and Phytosanitary Agreement of the World Trade Organisation International Standards Setting Bodies

Key Features of SPS All countries are expected to apply measures that ensure that – Food is safe for consumers Prevent the spread of pests and diseases of animals and plants across international boundaries. SPS Measures ensure that - Products come or sourced from disease-free areas Inspection of agricultural products Specific treatments or processing of products are applied Setting of allowable maximum levels of pesticides residues or permitted use of food additives or preservatives Same measures or standards or rules for domestic products coming from other countries.

Cardinal Principles of SPS 1. Protection not protectionism 2. Justification of measures 3. International standards 4. Adapting to conditions 5. Alternative measures 6. Risk assessment 7. Transparency

Protection not Protectionism SPS Measures may result in restrictions on trade to ensure food safety, animal and plant health protection. However, SPS restrictions must not be applied to shield domestic producers from economic competition

International Standards SPS agreement encourages governments to national SPS measures consistent with international standards, guidelines and recommendation. This process is often referred to as “harmonization.” WTO does not develop standards. But most members participate in the development of these standards in other international bodies (e.g. IPPC, Codex, OIE).

Justification of Measures SPS Agreement, while permitting governments to maintain appropriate SPS protection, requires that measure be applied to ensure food safety and animal and plant health.

Adapting to Conditions Due to difference in climate, existing pests and diseases or food safety conditions, it is not always appropriate to impose the same SPS requirement on food, animal and plant products coming from different countries. Therefore, SPS measure, vary depending on the country of origin. Government must also recognise disease-free areas which may not correspond with political boundaries.

Alternative Measures An acceptable level of risk can often be achieved in alternative ways. Among the alternative government should select those which are not more trade restrictive than required to meet their health objective. Furthermore, if another country can show that the measures it applies provide the same level of health protection, these should be accepted as equivalent.

Risk Assessment Countries must establish SPS measures on the basis of an appropriate assessment of the actual risks involved. Government are encouraged to use systematic risk assessment.

Transparency Governments are required to notify other countries of any new or changed SPS requirement which affect trade, and set up offices (called Enquiry Points) to respond to requests for more information or new existing measure.