Canada has pledged CAD 250,000 to support international food, animal, and plant health standards. WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala expressed appreciation for Canada's contribution, stating that compliance with these standards enhances food security globally by facilitating agricultural trade. She emphasized the long-term benefits of STDF-related programs for producers, traders, and governments.
Heath MacDonald, Canada's Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, affirmed the government's commitment to supporting global efforts in adopting international standards for food safety and health. He highlighted the role of larger-scale projects like the Standards and Trade Development Facility (STDF) in improving food security and promoting sustainable economic growth.
Canadian officials have been actively involved in STDF projects, sharing expertise through innovative initiatives such as piloting Codex Guidelines on voluntary third-party assurance programs in Africa and Central America. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has facilitated learning visits for regulators from Honduras and Belize and organized webinars attended by experts worldwide.
This recent donation brings Canada's total contributions to CHF 7.6 million since 2005. Canada has also contributed over CHF 15 million to WTO trust funds over the past 23 years.
The STDF is a partnership established by several organizations including the FAO, World Bank Group, WHO, WOAH, and WTO. It promotes safe trade while supporting sustainable development goals related to economic growth, poverty reduction, food security, and climate change resilience.
Developing economies are encouraged to apply for SPS project grants through the STDF. To date, it has funded over 260 projects benefiting developing countries.