   
  
G/SPS/W/354  
 
24 January 2024  
(24-0544) Page: 1/1 
Committee on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures  Original: English  
 
SIXTH  REVIEW OF THE OPERATION AND IMPLE MENTATION OF THE AGREEMENT  
ON THE APPLICATION OF SANITARY AND PHYTOSANITARY MEASURES  
PROPOSAL FOR A THEMATIC SESSION ON SPS -RELATED EMERGING RISKS  
SUBMISSION  OF THE EUROPEAN UNION  
The following proposal , received on  24 January 2024, is being circulated at the request of the 
delegation of the European Union . 
 
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1.1.  During the implementation of the work programme outlined in the SPS Declaration endorsed 
by the 12th Ministerial Conference, the Membership has started to discuss some of the modern 
challenges and emerging risks in the SPS field.  
1.2.  It was generally acknowledged that this is a topic which requires further and more detailed 
discussion in the Committee. Theref ore, the European Union suggests having a thematic session on 
SPS-related emerging risks as a first step of this process.  
1.3.  The successful identification of risks at their early inception is essential to effectively protect 
human, animal and plant life and h ealth. Improved identification of emerging risks and exchange of 
information between parties is a major preventive instrument at the disposal of WTO Members. For 
example, in the area of food safety, the strategies of FAO1 and WHO2 include the identificat ion of 
emerging risks.  
1.4.  The session would deal with the definition and identification of emerging risks, the development 
and improvement of emerging risk identification methodologies and approaches for characterization, 
the communication on possible issues and risks , and of course the development of effective 
measures to address these risks by WTO Members and the relevant international organisations.  
1.5.  There are already some systems in place which are targeting emerging risks; for example, 
the emerging risks identification system of the European Food Safety Authority involves 
representatives of EU member States, European sister agencies, other WTO Members ' competent 
authorities, UN Agencies, international risk assessment agencies and the European Commiss ion. 
It also relies on stakeholders, involving academia, food industry, consumers associations, 
distributors, farmers and primary producers, NGOs and advocacy groups. An effective identification 
of emerging risks requires a wide participatory approach, con necting the various systems existing 
at local, regional and global levels.  
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1 https://www.fao.org/3/cc4040en/cc4040en.pdf . 
2 https://iris.who.int/bitstream/handle/10665/363475/9789240057685 -eng.pdf?sequence=1 . 