National SpS Coordination Mechanisms - Standards and Trade ...

3. PRACTICAL RECOMMENDATIONS AND LESSONS LEARNED34. National, regional and international organizations involved in SPS-related mattersgenerally agree on the importance of effective SPS coordination at the national level. This isbased on the recognition that SPS management capacity and compliance depends oncoordinated action by a number of different public and private sector stakeholders, each withtheir own particular roles and expertise. As outlined above, experiences of WTO membersparticipating in the WTO SPS Committee further indicate that those with a national SPScommittee (formal or informal) fare better in managing SPS issues.35. The survey that was held as part of this study highlights some of the challenges inherentin achieving successful SPS coordination in several African countries. Indeed, among thecountries that responded to the survey questionnaire, it is notable that only one (i.e. SouthAfrica) rated the functioning of its national SPS coordination mechanism as satisfactory. Variousreasons are put forward for the inadequate performance of national SPS coordinationmechanisms in Africa. These include, for instance, unclear organizational mandates, out-datedlegislation, limited SPS awareness, inadequate resources and difficulties in involving the privatesector.36. Some of the above factors certainly impede efforts to achieve SPS coordination at thecountry level. Yet, in spite of these constraints, it is apparent that with sufficient commitmentand resourcefulness, much more could be done to strengthen SPS coordination in manycountries. Donors can also play a role in this regard based on a clear assessment of SPS needsand priorities and well-articulated proposals. However, where SPS committees are establishedwith donor support, it is essential to pay attention at the outset to their medium and long-termsustainability.37. This section identifies a number of practical recommendations and lessons learned toenhance the development, performance and sustainability of national SPS committees. Thefindings in the previous section highlighted that SPS coordination mechanisms are characterisedby their diversity in terms of members, objectives, functions, legal status, etc. In view of thevery different country contexts and institutional settings in which SPS coordination emerge andoperate, one "size" or "type" cannot fit all. The recommendations below should beinterpreted in this light.3.1 Raise awareness on the importance of SPS capacity for trade and economicgrowth, and ensure high-level government buy-in38. The findings of the survey and desk research carried out for this study indicate thatnational SPS committees are more likely to exist and be effective where key stakeholdersrecognize the importance and inter-disciplinary nature of SPS management capacity, includingthe need for diverse public and private sector organizations to collaborate effectively. High-levelcommitment is generally a prerequisite to achieve an enabling environment in whichmechanisms for national SPS coordination can become established and flourish. Buy-in amongsenior politicians and government officials requires awareness raising on the importance of SPSissues and the potential impact that SPS measures can have on international trade and thewider economy. Senior politicians may need to be convinced by hard facts on what is at stakeand what the necessary measures are to put a functioning SPS coordination mechanism inplace.39. Awareness raising activities can be undertaken by well-respected, national experts onSPS matters. Development partners and specialist bodies (such as the STDF) also have a role toplay. Needless to say, the private sector ought to be represented in relevant awareness raisingactivities (e.g. workshops). Organizing a high-level national SPS workshop, possibly in10