OSTA monitors technical and sanitary and
phytosanitary barriers to agricultural trade, along with food safety related
issues, with input from FAS field offices, other U.S. Government agencies,
the private sector, and industry. Employing all aspects of its collective
expertise, OSTA contributes to FAS capacity building efforts relative to
World Trade Organization (WTO) accessions, development of international
standards, and expansion of U.S. trade. This office also facilitates communication
between foreign governments and the U.S. regulatory agencies.