Australia, Canada and Ireland support safe food trade
Australia, Canada and Ireland have recently made a financial contribution to a program that helps other countries improve food security.
Australia provides $ 4 million (US $ 2.6 million) through standards and exchanges development establishments (STDF) to help developing and the least developed countries (PMA) to access the global agricultural markets.
STDF aims to strengthen health and phytosanitary capacity (SPS) in developing countries and allow them to participate more in international trade.
Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Director General of the World Trade Organization (WTO), said: “We are grateful for the continuous support of Australia to help farmers and small businesses improve their ability to meet health and phytosanitary standards on the export markets.”
Australia is also involved in several STDF initiatives in the field. This includes continuous work to strengthen the beekeeping industry in the Pacific, where women and young people play key roles, and to control innovative approaches for audits and food security inspections.
James Baxter, permanent representative of Australia with the WTO, said: “As an agricultural exporter and island nation, Australia is very aware of the importance for countries to be able to access the SPS WTO agreement.”
STDF was created by the United Nations food and agricultural organization (FAO), the World Bank Group, the World Health Organization (WHO), the World Animal Health Organization (WoAH) and the WTO.
Canadian contribution
Earlier this year, Canada gave $ 250,000 (US $ 181,000) to the STDF to help improve SPS capacity in developing countries.
Okonjo-iweala said: “Compliance with international standards improves food security in importing and export countries by facilitating trade in agricultural products. The long -term impact of PTDF programs will benefit producers, traders and governments along global and regional value chains, helping them increase export income, income levels and living standards. “
Canadian officials also shared expertise to strengthen the delivery of STDF programs. This includes projects to manage the use of Codex directives on voluntary third -party insurance programs (VTPA) in Africa and Central America for more efficient risk -based food systems.
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CACO) organized a learning visit to Honduras and Belize regulators in 2024, and webinaries co-organized in March and April 2025 attended by more than 100 experts, to share the ideas of the food security model based on the Risk of Canada. This month, the CFIA will also host Rwanda and Uganda regulators.
Heath Macdonald, Minister of Canada of Agriculture and Agro-Flimation, said: “The Government of Canada will continue to support global efforts to adopt international standards for food security and animal and plant health.”
Finally, Ireland contributes € 200,000 ($ 235,300) to support the STDF.
It will help efforts to improve food security and animal and plant health systems across Africa, Asia and the Pacific, Latin America and the Caribbean.
Neale Richmond, Irish Minister of State for International Development and the Diaspora, said: “Supporting the STDF is an investment in safer food systems, stronger economies and more inclusive trade.”
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