Sanitary And Phytosanitary Measures (Sps) And Food Security: Compliance Challenges And Opportunities For Emerging Countries

Antra Srivastava, LLM (Corporate Law), Galgotias University, Greater Noida

ABSTRACT

Food safety, animal health and plant health are a core matter of sanitary and phytosanitary regulations (SPS) that should be followed during international trade. But for the emerging states, the observance of SPS standards becomes a vast issue that, eventually, may block access to the world markets and lead to food insecurity. This paper analyses the issue-ridden policy field of sanitary and phytosanitary measures and their impacts on food security, emphasising compliance matters and prospects of developing countries. Employing a holistic assessment, the document provides the legal basis for SPS regulation including the WTO Agreement on the Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures as well as the national regulatory system, indicating the barriers that developing countries are facing regarding compliance with SPS standards. Whether it is about the capacity restrictions and technological constraints or it is the resource limits, for them the door towards the international market becomes much narrower and thus increases food security issues.

The paper builds upon the repercussions of disregarding sanitary and phytosanitary measures and it points out the disruptions to global food supply chains, the restricted market access, and the increased food safety risks, that make the food systems in the developing world even more vulnerable. Still, these are all issues to be worked on, but there is also space for better compliance and food safety. This can be achieved through strategies like capacity-building initiatives, technical assistance programs and administrative reforms which serve as the vehicles for developing countries to get through the complexities of SPS standards. What is more, integration and regionalization policy can help meet the sanitary and phytosanitary standards and form legislative synergies within neighbouring states.

Beyond that, the paper deals with the question of how technical systems and innovations may lead to improved SPS compliance through presenting examples of digital solutions, remote sensing technology and blockchain. It relies on these success stories and best practices to emphasize, the international cooperation between the developed and the developing areas, to foster SPS standards.

Keywords: World Trade Organisation, National Institute of Health (NIH), UNCTAD, OECD, Food and Agriculture Organisation, Trade Impact for Good (ITC).