The European Union, as a major global trader of food and feed, has entered into international trade agreements and contributed to the development of international standards which underpin food law. It also supports the principles of free trade in safe food and feed following fair and ethical trading practices. This is of enormous importance to citizens in Europe and around the world whether they are politicians, traders or consumers.

• SPS/WTO  World Trade Organisation/Agreement on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures;
• CODEX  Codex Alimentarius Commission;
• OIE  The World Organisation for Animal Health;
• IPPC  International Plant Protection Convention;