CABI Calls For Greater Coordination To Enhance SPS Compliance And Trade in Africa
12 November 2024, Africa: CABI shared its expertise and experience in work around harmonisation framework for germplasm exchange in Sub-Saharan Africa, particularly within the ECOWAS SPS framework, during the Expert Consultation workshop on Addressing Phytosanitary Bottlenecks to Improve Crop Germplasm/Bioresources Exchange in Africa.
Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) measures are rules, measures and regulations designed to protect human, animal and plant life and health, from risks arising from additives, contaminants, toxins or disease-causing organisms. They ensure food is safe for consumption.
The workshop, held at the IITA Headquarters in Ibadan, Nigeria, brought together 40 participants from 11 countries including Benin, Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, and Zimbabwe. Organisations represented included AfricaRice, IITA, FAO, and AU-IAPSC.
Dr Gbemenou Joselin Benoit Gnonlonfin, Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS), Global Program Lead at CABI, delivered a presentation on SPS (Sanitary and Phytosanitary) Measures, with a focus on the potential for a harmonized framework for germplasm exchange in Sub-Saharan Africa, particularly within the ECOWAS SPS Framework.
Highlighted CABI’s SPS Strategy
He also highlighted CABI’s SPS Strategy which aims to protect plant and animal health – ensuring food safety and enhancing intra-regional and global trade.
He outlined the major challenges faced by countries in implementing SPS measures and complying with International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) standards.
These challenges include weak regional coordination, inadequate national inspection and control systems, limited SPS infrastructure, and insufficient technical expertise to manage SPS requirements.
Furthermore, he pointed to the lack of resources for effective enforcement and monitoring as a significant barrier to achieving full SPS compliance.
“Other emerging challenges are the impacts of climate change and the role of new technological innovations, such as electronic certification (e-cert) and artificial intelligence (AI),” he said.
Opportunities to improve SPS compliance
Despite these obstacles, Dr Gnonlonfin emphasized the opportunities that the expansion of global value chains, increasing intra-regional trade, and advancements in technology present for improving SPS compliance.
He added, “Digital technologies can facilitate and promote exchange of germplasm as well as fair and safe trade. Also, consumers are increasingly demanding high-quality, safer food, which creates an opportunity for countries to comply with SPS standards.”
Dr Gnonlonfin outlined a series of key actions aimed at addressing the challenges and leveraging the opportunities in SPS compliance. These include supporting the development and harmonization of regulatory frameworks for consumer, plant, and animal health.
He emphasized, “There is also a pressing need to strengthen and build partnerships, while implementing Good Regulatory Practices (GRPs). Additionally, enhancing national capacities to address emerging plant health and food safety challenges is critical. We must also focus on reducing costs under the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement, all while ensuring adherence to international standards.”
Need for greater coordination and harmonization
While calling for regional cooperation to ensure food safety, plant health, and economic growth in Sub-Saharan Africa, Dr Gnonlonfin shared examples of harmonization efforts in the ECOWAS and Sahel regions.
He referenced the 7th Annual Meeting of the Regional Taskforce of National Plant Protection Organizations (NPPOs) and Partners in West Africa and the Sahel and Preparation for the meeting of the Commission on Phytosanitary Measures (CPM-18), held in Accra, Ghana in February 2024.
“Harmonization has great benefits,” he said, “Including facilitating regional consultation and information sharing, setting priorities and plans, and establishing a common position on matters of shared interest.” These efforts, Dr Gnonlonfin emphasized, are crucial to strengthening SPS compliance and improving regional trade.
He concluded his presentation by stressing that, “By working together and sharing knowledge, we can overcome the challenges and seize the opportunities that lie ahead.”
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