JAKARTA, 17 NOVEMBER 2020 – The ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Area (AANZFTA) Economic Cooperation Support Programme (AECSP) launched a series of e-learning modules on ASEAN Regional Guidelines for the Implementation of International Standards related to Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (SPS). This e-learning is freely accessible to the public via this link.
The e-learning contains 16 modules as part of four ASEAN Regional Guidelines, focusing on basic principles of the SPS Agreement and risk analysis in the areas of animal health, plant health, and food safety. The modules would benefit government officials from food safety, plant health, animal health sectors as well as the public, by and large.
“SPS Measures play a significant role in trade between the AMS and other countries, as agricultural and food items, fish and animal products account for a large share of the goods traded,’’ said Dato’ Haslina binti Abdul Hamid, Deputy Secretary-General (Policy) of Malaysia’s Agriculture and Food Industries Ministry, and ASEAN Co-Chair of AANZFTA Sub-Committee on SPS (SC-SPS).
Further, she noted that in trade relations, there is a balance to be maintained between protecting consumers and creating a supportive international environment for animal and plant-based exports from developing countries.
“This AECSP-supported project signifies close cooperation among AANZFTA Parties, through AANZFTA SC-SPS, in facilitating trade in this region,” she concluded.
The development of this e-learning was part of a project supported by AECSP called ‘Development of ASEAN Regional Guidelines for Implementation of International Standards Related to SPS Measures’.
The project aimed to assist ASEAN Member States (AMS) to develop their national SPS standards in compliance with international standards, guidelines and recommendations, where they exist.
The ultimate goal is to help AMS in maximising the benefits of AANZFTA through enhanced trade within the region and between Australia and New Zealand in particular.
For more information, please visit https://aanzfta.asean.org/ or contact aanzfta_inquiry@asean.org.
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