Barriers to Agricultural Exports from Developing Countries: The Role of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Requirements

Abstract

This paper explores the impact of sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) measures in developed countries on developing country exports of agricultural and food products. It identifies the problems that developing countries face in meeting SPS requirements and how these relate to the nature of SPS measures and the compliance resources available to government and the supply chain. The paper examines the impact of the WTO's SPS Agreement on the extent to which SPS measures impede exports from developing countries. It identifies the problems that limit the participation of developing countries in the SPS Agreement and their concerns about the way in which it currently operates.

Keywords: trade, agricultural, food, nontariff barriers, sanitary and phytosanitary measures