The German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development will contribute EUR 2.85 million to the Trade and Standards Development Fund over a four-year period (2022-2025).

The fund aims to facilitate safe and inclusive agricultural trade in developing and least-developed countries with the aim of helping them meet international food safety and animal and plant health standards.

The Director General of the World Trade Organization, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, was quoted in a statement as saying: “I thank Germany for its generous and longstanding support to developing countries and LDCs in strengthening their compliance with sanitary and phytosanitary measures.

“When farmers are empowered to meet these standards, access to global and regional markets improves, paving the way for increased sales and income. Increased sanitary and phytosanitary capacity also means more sustainable and resilient food systems, which contributes to food security at home and in the world.”

In her speech, the German Ambassador to the WTO, Dr. Bettina Waldmann, said: “More than ever, it is time to show that WTO members help each other meet their obligations, strengthen their knowledge and further develop their business capabilities. Germany is pleased to see the STDF working fruitfully in the interest of all, improving the health of all and promoting sustainable agriculture.”

Waldmann explained that Germany’s contribution to the STDF would improve food safety systems by reducing trade barriers and trade costs in developing countries.

He noted that the funding would also strengthen the STDF’s knowledge platform, which connects various stakeholders from agriculture, health, trade and development to identify and disseminate good practices.

She said: “Developing countries and LDCs are encouraged to apply to the STDF for SPS projects and project preparation grants. The next deadline for submitting funding proposals is February 24, 2023.”

He claimed that Germany contributed 150,000 euros to the STDF in 2022 through its Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture.