Standards and Trade Development Facility (STDF)

The STDF’s global network brings together leading trade, health and agriculture experts worldwide to address persistent and emerging SPS challenges, and drive forward joined-up solutions. It acts as a knowledge hub, sharing available know-how, tools and good practice to build on what exists. At the same time, the STDF creates synergies with related initiatives, and promotes innovative and cross-cutting approaches to SPS capacity building. To kick-start new ways of building knowledge and capacity on SPS requirements, the STDF provides funding to both develop and deliver innovative, cross-cutting projects. STDF projects help public and private sector stakeholders in developing countries improve food safety, animal and plant health to facilitate safe trade. Projects often work as catalysts, bringing on board diverse partners and funding to support longer-term impact. VISION AND GOAL Trade in food and agricultural products offers a way for farmers, processors and traders in developing countries to increase their incomes and boost economic development. But despite the potential, they face many challenges. Limited capacity to meet food safety, animal and plant health requirements is often one of the major obstacles.  International and regional organizations and donors are supporting developing country governments and the private sector to tackle sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) capacity gaps. The STDF provides a platform for organizations to come together to discuss SPS capacity building needs, share experiences and good practice, leverage additional funding, and work on coordinated and coherent solutions.