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Ministry of Commerce And Supplies - Enhanced Integrated ...

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N T I S2010GeneralNepal’s general and specialist SPS enquiry points are maintained within the MoAC. The <strong>Ministry</strong> has fourdepartments respectively dealing with food technology (DFTQC), animal health (DoLS), crop production(MoAC), and cooperatives (Department <strong>of</strong> Cooperatives, DoC). The general SPS and CODEX Alimentariusenquiry points are maintained by the DFTQC. CODEX is the international food standards-setting body runjointly by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Health Organization (WHO). TheOrganisation International pour les Epizooties (OIE) animal health contact point is maintained by the DoLS.The plant health (IPPC) contact point is maintained by the DoA. This is shown in Figure 8.1. A brief explanation<strong>of</strong> the acronyms and functions <strong>of</strong> the corresponding WTO organizations is given in the endnote to Figure 8.1.WTO SPS Enquiry Point: DFTQC, Legal Status and OrganizationThe DFTQC is the designated WTO SPS enquiry point for Nepal. An SPS central coordination committee hasbeen formed headed by the Secretary, MoAC, with representation from MoCS, MoFSC, MoHP, as well asthe Animal and Plant Quarantine <strong>of</strong>fices within the MoAC. The private sector members <strong>of</strong> the Federation <strong>of</strong>Nepalese Chambers <strong>of</strong> <strong>Commerce</strong> and Industry (FNCCI) also work with government and also function as themain lobbying organization on behalf <strong>of</strong> business. A website has been launched by the DFTQC to disseminateinformation about SPS matters in general. This has links to the other specialized SPS enquiry points. 3The SPS enquiry point at the DFTQC is part <strong>of</strong> a complex that includes food testing laboratories as well asthe headquarters building. New laboratory and head <strong>of</strong>fice buildings are under construction with assistancefrom the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). The upgrade <strong>of</strong> laboratory equipment, training,and a wide range <strong>of</strong> supporting activities are underway at the DFTQC and the NBSM with funding by theEU and implementation by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), UNESCAP andPhysikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt (PTB, the national metrology institute <strong>of</strong> Germany). 4 The currentheadquarters building is inadequate for the purpose and the new one will have facilities for holding workshops,training sessions, and other larger meetings, as well as better library facilities for CODEX and other relatedliterature. There are interactions with WHO Food Safety (FOS) programme that supported the drafting <strong>of</strong>a national food safety policy, which became available at the end <strong>of</strong> 2006 and probably needs further publicdiscussion and consultation. The WHO FOS programme covers the food safety dimension <strong>of</strong> public health, butfunding under this programme is limited.In addition, the department has been given considerable assistance to attend regional and international SPSmeetings. As part <strong>of</strong> general awareness-raising within Nepal, the DFTQC has been circulating the schedule<strong>of</strong> these meetings to interested parties so that they can attend them, if they so desire. The DFTQC also hasestablished the National SPS Committee with representation from a range <strong>of</strong> members, including the MoHP,MoCS, and the FNCCI. There are plans to set up 17 subcommittees for different commodities, but, as yet,these are not functional.3http://www.spsenquiry.gov.np/. This site has links to both the plant (http://www.ppdnepal.gov.np/) and animal health (http://www.dls.gov.np/) websites dealing with SPS issues.4Anonymous (2009), Revisit <strong>of</strong> Indicative Timeline by NBSM/DFTQC as per decision <strong>of</strong> the Technical Committee Meeting – Submitted toProgramme Steering Committee Meeting, 30 July 2009 (Amended based on stakeholder comments and discussion, 20 August 2009) Annex II. -Indicative Timeline (20 August 2009).190NEPAL TRADE INTEGRATION STRATEGY 2010BACKGROUND REPORT

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