Agriculture food and safety
Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures Agreement
A new booklet launched on 27 July highlights strong engagement from WTO members at all levels of development in transparency and prevention of trade disputes. The information contained in the booklet is based on the 2020 review of members’ implementation of the Agreement on the Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (the “SPS Agreement”).
The WTO Agreements Series: Agriculture, 3nd Edition (2016)
This new edition provides an introduction to the WTO’s Agreement on Agriculture outlining its key principles the work of the Agriculture Committee and how disputes have interpreted WTO law on agriculture. The publication includes the full text of the Agriculture Agreement as well as the decisions taken on agriculture at the 2013 Bali Ministerial Conference. A frequently asked questions section provides a handy overview of the Agriculture Agreement and the issues covered by it. The publication also provides an update on agriculture negotiations at the WTO. This publication forms part of the WTO Agreements Series a set of compact booklets on selected WTO agreements. Other publications in the series include Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures and Technical Barriers to Trade.
Trade and Food Standards
Co-published by the World Trade Organization (WTO) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)
Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures
The WTO Secretariat has prepared this booklet to assist public understanding of the SPS Agreement it concerns the application of food safety and animal and plant health regulations. The first section of the booklet presents the basic structure of WTO agreements; the second looks at the key features of the SPS Agreement; the third addresses a number of frequently-asked questions; and the fourth is the legal text of the agreement.
Acuerdo sobre la aplicación de medidas sanitarias y fitosanitarias
En un nuevo folleto presentado el 27 de julio se destaca el firme compromiso de los Miembros de la OMC en todos los niveles de desarrollo con la transparencia y la prevención de diferencias comerciales. La información contenida en el folleto se basa en el examen de 2020 de la aplicación por los Miembros del Acuerdo sobre la Aplicación de Medidas Sanitarias y Fitosanitarias (el “Acuerdo MSF”).
Accord sur les mesures sanitaires et phytosanitaires
Une nouvelle brochure présentée le 27 juillet souligne le ferme engagement des Membres de l’OMC quel que soit leur niveau de développement en faveur de la transparence et de la prévention des différends commerciaux. Les renseignements contenus dans cette brochure sont fondés sur l’examen de la mise en œuvre par les Membres de l’Accord sur l’application des mesures sanitaires et phytosanitaires (Accord SPS) réalisé en 2020.
Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures
Agricultural products worth over US$ 1765 billion were traded in 2013. WTO rules help to ensure that these products are traded safely and that health protection measures are not used as an excuse for protecting domestic producers. This brochure produced to mark the WTO’s 20th anniversary looks into the key provisions of the Agreement and the work of the SPS Committee.
Technical Barriers to Trade Agreement
Technical Barriers to Trade Agreement The Technical Barriers to Trade Agreement aims to ensure that regulations standards testing and certification procedures followed by WTO members do not create unnecessary obstacles to trade. Annual Review of TBT Agreement The WTO Committee on Technical Barriers to Trade collects data on an annual basis on the implementation of the TBT Agreement. The information in this brochure is based on the 2022 review.
Accord sur les obstacles techniques au commerce
Accord sur les obstacles techniques au commerce L’Accord sur les obstacles techniques au commerce (OTC) vise à faire en sorte que les règlements les normes et les procédures d’essai et de certification appliqués par les Membres de l’OMC ne créent pas d’obstacles non nécessaires au commerce. Examen annuel de l’Accord OTC Le Comité des obstacles techniques au commerce de l’OMC recueille chaque année des données sur la mise en oeuvre de l’Accord OTC. Les renseignements contenus dans la présente brochure sont basés sur l’examen de 2022.
Implementing the WTO agreement on fisheries subsidies
The WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies adopted at the 12th Ministerial Conference marks a major step forward for ocean sustainability by prohibiting harmful fisheries subsidies which are a key factor in the widespread depredation of the world’s fish stocks. Implementing the new disciplines will present challenges for many developing country members especially least-developed countries. The objective of this report is to examine existing bilateral and multilateral assistance in support of sustainable fisheries including how this may help countries meet obligations under the new Agreement.
Acuerdo sobre Obstáculos Técnicos al Comercio
Acuerdo sobre Obstáculos Técnicos al Comercio El Acuerdo sobre Obstáculos Técnicos al Comercio tiene por objeto velar por que los reglamentos las normas y los procedimientos de prueba y certificación aplicados por los Miembros de la OMC no creen obstáculos innecesarios al comercio. Examen anual del Acuerdo OTC El Comité de Obstáculos Técnicos al Comercio de la OMC recopila anualmente datos sobre la aplicación del Acuerdo OTC. La información que figura en este folleto se basa en el examen de 2022.
The Benefits Of Taking Part
Part I described the system of food standards and trade rules created by members for members. With such a system in place what is then required to keep it working and fit for purpose? And how can members take advantage of the benefits it has to offer?
A Dynamic System
Methods of production and processing as well as the paths that food travels along from farm to fork are continuously evolving. The standards world must be ready to adjust to ensure that food trade can continue to flow smoothly. Stakeholders will need to be prepared able to pick up the signals that change is taking place and to steer their national frameworks accordingly.
Executive summary
This publication explains how international food safety standards are set through the Joint Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and World Health Organization (FAO/WHO) Food Standards Programme – the Codex Alimentarius Commission – and how these standards are applied in the context of the World Trade Organization (WTO) Agreements on the Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (SPS Agreement) and on Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT Agreement).
Introduction
The annual value of trade in agricultural products has grown almost three-fold over the past decade largely in emerging economies and developing countries reaching USD 1.7 trillion. Over the past two decades the reduction in tariffs through global and regional trade agreements has provided greater opportunities for the expansion of global food trade. However in order to trade internationally and access markets for high-value products producers must be able to meet food standards. Governments apply food standards to ensure that food is safe and meets quality and labelling requirements. The use of international food standards worldwide helps reduce trade costs by making trade more transparent and efficient allowing food to move more smoothly between markets.
The Institutional Framework
Trade can be more complicated than we think. What happens when two countries define the same product differently or if they set out different criteria to check that a product is safe? Let us think for example of the inconvenience as a traveller in havin 15 different types of electrical outlet plugs in the world or the enormous infrastructure investment required for train cargo and passengers to travel across the border between two countries that have different track gauge. Then consider the benefits of being able to plug in and use a USB key with any computer worldwide or the advantages of standard cables standard operating systems or the standard size of a credit card.
Acknowledgements
This publication Trade and Food Standards has been jointly prepared by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the World Trade Organization (WTO).
Legal texts on agriculture
Having decided to establish a basis for initiating a process of reform of trade in agriculture in line with the objectives of the negotiations as set out in the Punta del Este Declaration.
Introduction
The WTO Agreement on Agriculture entered into force when the World Trade Organization (WTO) came into being on 1 January 1995. Its main objective is to reform agricultural trade so that it is closer to competitive market conditions — but also to serve other objectives.
Agriculture Agreement
Historically governments have intervened in the agriculture sector more than in other sectors. Agriculture was always covered by the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade which entered into force in 1948. But numerous exemptions meant agricultural trade escaped most of the disciplines that applied more generally to trade in industrial products. The result was the widespread use of measures that obstructed imports — import bans limits on quantities that could be imported (quotas) high import duties import duties whose rates varied and so created market uncertainty minimum import prices and various impediments not related to tariffs such as regulations and the activities of state trading enterprises. Major agricultural products such as cereals meat dairy sugar and a range of fruits and vegetables faced trade barriers on a scale unseen in the rest of merchandise trade.
Frequently asked questions
Agriculture is important but trade is distorted by subsidies and protectionism — hurting producers (and some consumers) who are not supported or protected. The 1994 agreement is a first step in the effort to reduce the distortion.
Foreword
Trade in food is difficult to imagine without standards. Food standards give confidence to consumers in the safety quality and authenticity of what they eat. By setting down a common understanding on different aspects of food for consumers producers and governments standards enable trade to take place. If every government applies different food standards trade is more costly and it is more difficult to ensure that food is safe and meets consumers' expectations.
Estados Unidos - Medidas que afectan a la producción y venta de cigarrillos de clavo de olor
El 02 de septiembre de 2011 la OMC hizo público el informe del Grupo especial sobre el caso “Estados Unidos - Medidas que afectan a la producción y venta de cigarrillos de clavo de olor”.
Communautés Européennes - Regime applicable à l’importation, à la vente et à la distribution des bananes
Le 09 septembre 1997 l’Organe d’appel a publié son rapport sur l’affaire “Communautes Europeennes - Regime applicable a l’importation a la vente et a la distribution des bananes”.
European Communities - Regime for the Importation, Sale and Distribution of Bananas
Complaints by Ecuador Guatemala Honduras Mexico and the United States. The complainants in this case other than Ecuador had requested consultations with the European Communities on the same issue on 28 September 1995 (DS16). After Ecuador’s accession to the WTO the current complainants again requested consultations with the European Communities on 5 February 1996. The complainants alleged that the European Communities’ regime for importation sale and distribution of bananas is inconsistent with Articles I II III X XI and XIII of the GATT 1994 as well as provisions of the Import Licensing Agreement the Agreement on Agriculture the TRIMs Agreement and the GATS.
Chile - Sistema de bandas de precios y medidas de salvaguardia aplicados a determinados productos agrícolas
El 03 de mayo de 2002 la OMC hizo público el informe del Grupo especial sobre el caso “Chile - Sistema de bandas de precios y medidas de salvaguardia aplicados a determinados productos agrícolas”.
Estados Unidos - Trato fiscal aplicado a las “empresas de ventas en el extranjero”
El 30 de agosto de 2002 la OMC hizo público el informe arbitral sobre el caso “Estados Unidos - Trato fiscal aplicado a las “empresas de ventas en el extranjero””.
Communautés européennes - Subventions à l’exportation de sucre
Le 15 octobre 2004 l’OMC a publié le rapport du Groupe spécial dans l’affaire “Communautés européennes - Subventions à l’exportation de sucre”.
European Communities - Measures Affecting the Importation of Certain Poultry Products
On 24 February 1997 Brazil requested consultations with the EC in respect of the EC regime for the importation of certain poultry products and the implementation by the EC of the Tariff Rate Quota for these products. Brazil contended that the EC measures are inconsistent with Articles X and XXVII of GATT 1994 and Articles 1 and 3 of the Agreement on Import Licensing Procedures. Brazil also contended that the measures nullify or impair benefits accruing to it directly or indirectly under GATT 1994.
Estados Unidos - Medidas de salvaguardia definitivas impuestas a las importaciones de gluten de trigo procedentes de las Comunidades Europeas
El 22 de diciembre de 2000 el Órgano de Apelación hizo público el informe sobre el caso “Estados Unidos - Medidas de salvaguardia definitivas impuestas a las importaciones de gluten de trigo procedentes de las Comunidades Europeas”.
États-Unis - Traitement fiscal des “sociétés de ventes à l’étranger”
Le 08 octobre 1999 l’OMC a publié le rapport du Groupe spécial dans l’affaire “États-Unis - Traitement fiscal des “sociétés de ventes à l’étranger””.
Estados Unidos - Determinadas prescripciones en materia de etiquetado indicativo del país de origen (EPO) - Recurso 1
El 20 de octubre de 2014 la OMC emitió los informes del Grupo Especial sobre el cumplimiento en las diferencias “Estados Unidos — Determinadas prescripciones en materia de etiquetado indicativo del país de origen (EPO) — Recurso del Canadá y México al párrafo 5 del artículo 21 del ESD” (DS384 y DS386).
United States - Subsidies on Upland Cotton
On 27 September 2002 Brazil requested consultations with the United States regarding prohibited and actionable subsidies provided to US producers users and/or exporters of upland cotton as well as legislation regulations statutory instruments and amendments thereto providing such subsidies (including export credits) grants and any other assistance to the US producers users and exporters of upland cotton (“US upland cotton industry”). Brazil contended that these measures were inconsistent with the obligations of the United States under the following provisions: Articles 5(c) 6.3(b) (c) and (d) 3.1(a) (including item (j) of the Illustrative List of Export Subsidies in Annex I) 3.1(b) and 3.2 of the SCM Agreement; Articles 3.3 7.1 8 9.1 and 10.1 of the Agreement on Agriculture; and Article III:4 of GATT 1994. Brazil was of the view that the US statutes regulations and administrative procedures listed above were inconsistent with these provisions as such and as applied. On 9 October and 11 October 2002 Zimbabwe and India respectively requested to join the consultations. On 14 October 2002 Argentina and Canada requested to join the consultations. The United States informed the DSB that it had accepted the requests of Argentina and India to join the consultations.
Estados Unidos - Pautas para la gasolina reformulada y convencional
El 29 de enero de 1996 la OMC hizo público el informe del Grupo especial sobre el caso “Estados Unidos - Pautas para la gasolina reformulada y convencional”.
Corea - Medidas que afectan al comercio de embarcaciones comerciales
El 07 de marzo de 2005 la OMC hizo público el informe del Grupo especial sobre el caso “Corea - Medidas que afectan al comercio de embarcaciones comerciales”.
Indonesia - Importation of Horticultural Products, Animals and Animal Products
On 9 November 2017 the WTO Appellate Body issued its report in the cases brought by New Zealand and the United States in “Indonesia - Importation of Horticultural Products Animals and Animal Products”.
Union Européenne - Mesures communautaires concernant les viandes et les produits carnés (Hormones)
Le 18 août 1997 l’OMC a publié le rapport du Groupe spécial dans l’affaire “European Communities - Measures concerning meat and meat products (hormones)”.
United States - Certain Country of Origin Labelling (Cool) Requirements
On 1 December 2008 Canada requested consultations with the United States concerning certain mandatory country of origin labelling (COOL) provisions in the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 as amended by the 2008 Farm Bill and as implemented through an Interim Final Rule of 28 July 2008. These include the obligation to inform consumers at the retail level of the country of origin in respect of covered commodities including beef and pork. The eligibility for a designation of a covered commodity as exclusively having a US origin can only be derived from an animal that was exclusively born raised and slaughtered in the United States. This would exclude such a designation in respect of beef or pork derived from livestock that is exported to the United States for feed or immediate slaughter.
États-Unis - Certaines prescriptions en matière d’étiquetage indiquant le pays d’origine (EPO) - Recours 1
Le 20 octobre 2014 l’OMC a publié les rapports du Groupe spécial de la mise en conformité dans les différends “États-Unis — Certaines prescriptions en matière d’étiquetage indiquant le pays d’origine (EPO) — Recours du Canada et du Mexique à l’article 21:5 du Mémorandum d’accord sur le règlement des différends” (DS384 et DS386).
Indonésie - Importation de produits horticoles, d’animaux et de produits d’origine animale
Le 9 novembre 2017 l’Organe d’appel de l’OMC a publié son rapport dans les affaires introduites par la Nouvelle-Zélande et les États-Unis “Indonésie — Importation de produits horticoles d’animaux et de produits d’origine animale” (DS477 et DS478).
Fédération de Russie - Mesures visant l’importation de porcins vivants, de viande de porc et d’autres produits du porc en provenance de l’Union européenne
Le 19 août 2016 l’OMC a publié le rapport du Groupe spécial dans l’affaire engagée par l’Union européenne “Fédération de Russie — Mesures visant l’importation de porcins vivants de viande de porc et d’autres produits du porc en provenance de l’Union européenne” (WT/DS/475).
Australia - Measures Affecting the Importation of Apples from New Zealand
On 31 August 2007 New Zealand requested consultations with Australia concerning measures imposed by Australia on the importation of apples from New Zealand. On 27 March 2007 Australia's Director of Animal and Plant Quarantine determined a policy for the importation of apples from New Zealand: “Importation of apples can be permitted subject to the Quarantine Act 1908 and the application of phytosanitary measures as specified in the Final import risk analysis report for apples from New Zealand November 2006”. New Zealand considers that these restrictions are inconsistent with Australia's obligations under the SPS Agreement and in particular Articles 2.1 2.2 2.3 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.5 5.6 8 and Annex C. On 13 September 2007 the European Communities requested to join the consultations. On 14 September 2007 the United States requested to join the consultations. Subsequently Australia informed the DSB that it had accepted the requests of the European Communities and the United States to join the consultations. On 6 December 2007 New Zealand requested the establishment of a panel. At its meeting on 17 December 2007 the DSB deferred the establishment of a panel.
Corée - Mesures affectant les importations de viande de bœuf fraîche, réfrigérée et congelée
Le 31 juillet 2000 l’OMC a publié le rapport du Groupe spécial dans l’affaire “Corée - Mesures affectant les importations de viande de bœuf fraîche réfrigérée et congelée”.
Canada - Measures Affecting the Importation of Milk and the Exportation of Dairy Products - Recourse 1
On 8 October 1997 the United States requested consultations with Canada in respect of export subsidies allegedly granted by Canada on dairy products and the administration by Canada of the tariff-rate quota on milk. The United States contended that these export subsidies by Canada distort markets for dairy products and adversely affect US sales of dairy products. The United States alleged violations of Articles II X and X1 of the GATT 1994 Articles 3 4 8 9 and 10 of the Agreement on Agriculture Article 3 of the SCM Agreement and Articles 1 2 and 3 of the Import Licensing Agreement.
Estados Unidos - Trato fiscal aplicado a las “empresas de ventas en el extranjero”
El 08 de octubre de 1999 la OMC hizo público el informe del Grupo especial sobre el caso “Estados Unidos - Trato fiscal aplicado a las “empresas de ventas en el extranjero””.
États-Unis - Mesures affectant la production et la vente de cigarettes aux clous de girofle
Le 2 septembre 2011 l’OMC a publié le rapport du Groupe spécial chargé d’examiner la plainte déposée par l’Indonésie au sujet de l’interdiction imposée par les États-Unis visant les cigarettes aux clous de girofle (DS406)