Alcala R, Vitikkala H, Ferlet G
Rev Sci Tech. 2020 Apr;39(1):253-261. doi: 10.20506/rst.39.1.3078.
World Trade Organization (WTO) Members have developed a framework of rules and guidance for veterinary control, inspection and approval procedures for international trade in animals and animal products. The core of this guidance can be found in Article 8 and Annex C of the Agreement on the Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (SPS Agreement), which help Members to achieve the twin objectives of ensuring animal health and facilitating safe trade through their detailed disciplines. The issue of veterinary control, inspection and approval procedures frequently surfaces on the agenda of the Committee on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures when Members discuss trade concerns or decide to explore this topic in periodic reviews of the SPS Agreement. The WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement (2017), which was crafted to further expedite the movement and clearance of goods, brought additional structure to the design and operation of border procedures, including veterinary control procedures. The entry into force of the Trade Facilitation Agreement also increased, in many cases, the visibility and resources allocated to the operation of border controls, including international assistance. These processes provide further opportunities to enhance the profile of veterinary and other SPS agencies besides that of Customs, and to improve coordination among these various agencies and organisations.
世界贸易组织（WTO）成员已制定了一套规则和指南框架，用于规范动物及动物产品国际贸易中的兽医控制、检查和审批程序。该指南的核心内容可见于《实施卫生与植物卫生措施协定》（SPS协定）第8条和附件C，这些条款通过详细的规定，帮助成员实现确保动物健康和促进安全贸易这两个目标。当成员讨论贸易关切问题或决定在对SPS协定的定期审议中探讨这一话题时，兽医控制、检查和审批程序问题经常出现在卫生与植物卫生措施委员会的议程上。旨在进一步加快货物流动和清关的WTO《贸易便利化协定》（2017年），为包括兽医控制程序在内的边境程序的设计和运作带来了更多架构。《贸易便利化协定》的生效在许多情况下还提高了边境管制运作（包括国际援助）的透明度和所分配的资源。这些进程为提升兽医及其他SPS机构（而非海关）的形象，并改善这些不同机构和组织之间的协调，提供了更多机会。
