The Covid-19 pandemic has resulted in unprecedented disruption to the global economy and world trade. Many countries have locked down their borders, or severely restricted freedoms in a bid to contain community transmission of the virus. Globally, 3 billion people depend on international trade for their food security; a huge number of them are in Africa. It is for this reason that markets must be kept open. Countries should refrain from export restrictions. Trade restrictions should be targeted, temporary, and proportionate, and in line with WTO obligations. Unjustified trade barriers on food and agricultural products in particular, as well as key production inputs, must be avoided, so that food remains available and any supply chain impact is limited. In light of the risks posed by Covid-19, several countries have increased sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) controls relating to human, animal, and plant health as an emergency measure. For food supply chains, there are risks that may be carried by agricultural and food commodities rendering them unsafe for trade or consumption. Therefore, governments impose measures to address food safety, animal health, and plant health risks associated with production and supply of food or agricultural commodities. Contaminated food is a major source of foodborne disease, the global burden of which is extremely high. Estimates show one in 10 people fall ill every year from eating contaminated food, and 420,000 die as a result.   Invest with Impact. Click here. Current evidence suggests Covid-19 derived from a zoonotic source, namely an animal species in frequent close contact with humans – though...