Ireland has contributed EUR 200,000 to the Standards and Trade Development Facility (STDF) to bolster global food safety and trade initiatives. This contribution brings Ireland's total donations to over EUR 2.9 million since 2007.
WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala expressed gratitude for Ireland’s generosity. "Small-scale farmers and producers in developing and least-developed countries often face significant hurdles in accessing global food markets, particularly in meeting sanitary and phytosanitary standards. Through the work of the STDF, made possible by contributions like Ireland's, these challenges are being overcome, helping people in developing countries raise their incomes through trade while enhancing global food safety and security."
Sean Fleming, TD, Ireland’s Minister of State with responsibility for International Development and Diaspora, remarked: “This donation underscores Ireland's long-standing commitment to the Standards and Trade Development Facility's mission, bringing its total contributions to over €2.9 million (CHF 2.8 million) since 2007. Ireland is proud to support the important work of STDF in building safe, sustainable and inclusive global trade.”
The STDF is a global multi-stakeholder partnership established by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the World Health Organization (WHO), the World Bank Group, the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH), and the WTO. It aims to facilitate safe and inclusive trade by addressing evolving needs, promoting sustainable economic growth, ensuring food security, and reducing poverty.
Developing economies and least-developed countries are encouraged to apply for sanitary and phytosanitary project grants from the STDF. To date, more than 250 projects benefiting these economies have been funded.