Agreement on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures

Definition

The Agreement on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (SPS Agreement) is a treaty under the World Trade Organization (WTO) that sets out the basic rules for food safety and animal and plant health standards. It aims to protect human, animal, and plant life or health while ensuring that these measures do not unnecessarily restrict international trade. The SPS Agreement connects food policy and governance by establishing a framework for countries to create science-based regulations that promote safe trade and sustainable food systems.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The SPS Agreement was established during the Uruguay Round of trade negotiations in 1994 and came into force with the WTO in 1995.
2. It allows countries to implement necessary sanitary measures to protect public health while encouraging transparency and fair trade practices.
3. The SPS Agreement encourages countries to base their regulations on international standards, such as those set by the Codex Alimentarius Commission.
4. Disputes regarding SPS measures can be taken to the WTO dispute settlement system if countries believe another country is unfairly restricting trade.
5. Developing countries often face challenges in meeting SPS requirements due to limited resources, which can impact their ability to export goods.

Review Questions

• How does the Agreement on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures balance food safety with international trade?
  • The SPS Agreement balances food safety with international trade by allowing countries to implement necessary health measures while ensuring these measures are not overly restrictive. It promotes the idea that regulations should be based on scientific evidence and international standards to prevent unnecessary barriers to trade. By establishing a framework for transparency and fairness, the SPS Agreement helps maintain public health without compromising the benefits of global commerce.
• Discuss the role of the Codex Alimentarius in relation to the SPS Agreement and its impact on global food governance.
  • The Codex Alimentarius plays a crucial role in supporting the objectives of the SPS Agreement by providing internationally accepted standards for food safety and quality. The SPS Agreement encourages countries to align their sanitary regulations with Codex standards, which helps create a harmonized approach to food safety globally. This alignment enhances consumer protection while facilitating trade, ultimately leading to more efficient global food governance.
• Evaluate the implications of the SPS Agreement for developing countries in terms of trade opportunities and challenges in food policy implementation.
  • The SPS Agreement presents both opportunities and challenges for developing countries as they navigate international trade. While it provides a framework for enhancing food safety standards that can improve market access for their agricultural products, many developing nations struggle with limited resources to meet these stringent requirements. This disparity can lead to unequal trade opportunities, where developed countries may dominate markets due to better compliance capabilities. Therefore, addressing these challenges through capacity building and support is crucial for enabling equitable participation in global trade while maintaining food safety.

Related terms

Food Safety: The process of handling, preparing, and storing food in a way that prevents foodborne illness and contamination.

Codex Alimentarius: A collection of internationally recognized standards, guidelines, and codes of practice related to food safety and quality established by the FAO and WHO.

Trade Barriers: Government policies or regulations that restrict international trade, including tariffs, quotas, and sanitary measures.