Replication Data for Does The World Trade Organization Enable Biosecurity and Trade for Importers and Exporters?

Our paper sheds light on Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) cooperation among trading countries. We contribute to the existing literature a data-driven analysis on the effectiveness of various forms (in monetary value, duration, and diversification) for SPS-related technical assistance received by 33 countries from 1993 to 2015. The World Trade Organization's (WTO’s) SPS Agreement encourages biosecurity for countries to safeguard human health and productivity from contamination by biological hazards (pests, pathogens or invasive species) through technical assistance. Our panel model finds that WTO’s SPS program encourages simultaneously agricultural trade and biosecurity in traded goods. We implement a Multiple Indicator Solution (MIS) to correct bias from the endogenous technical assistance. The effectiveness of technical assistance depends on the level of development and geography among the heterogeneous countries in our data. This investment in biosecurity benefits both donors and recipients of technical assistance. Based on our results donors should be encouraged to invest in countries with below average resources and abilities.