The republic of Ireland has donated €200,000 to the Standards and Trade Development Facility (STDF), a global partnership aimed at improving food safety and agricultural trade.
According to a press statement by the World Trade Orasation (WTO), the funding will help enhance access to international markets for developing economies and least-developed countries (LDCs) by supporting STDF projects and programs.
WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala expressed gratitude for Ireland’s support, saying, “Small-scale farmers and producers in developing and least-developed countries often face significant hurdles in accessing global food markets, particularly in meeting sanitary and phytosanitary standards. Through the work of the STDF, made possible by contributions like Ireland’s, these challenges are being overcome, helping people in developing countries raise their incomes through trade while enhancing global food safety and security.”
Sean Fleming, TD, Ireland’s Minister of State for International Development and Diaspora, highlighted the country’s ongoing commitment, noting, “This donation underscores Ireland’s long-standing commitment to the Standards and Trade Development Facility’s mission, bringing its total contributions to over €2.9 million since 2007. Ireland is proud to support the important work of STDF in building safe, sustainable, and inclusive global trade.”
The STDF, a partnership established by the FAO, WHO, World Bank Group, WOAH, and WTO, works to facilitate safe and inclusive trade, contributing to sustainable economic growth, food security, and poverty reduction. Developing economies and LDCs are encouraged to apply for STDF grants to support their efforts in meeting sanitary and phytosanitary standards.
