Isaac C. Nkhungulu - Standards and Trade Development Facility

PUBLIC/PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP IN
PHYTOSANITARY INSPECTION AND SPS
TRAINING IN ZAMBIA
4 – 6 OCTOBER 2010
ISAAC C. NKHUNGULU
Zambia Export Growers Association

PRESENTATION OUTLINE
Introduction
Objectives
Project Management
Project Activities and Progress
Way forward
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INTRODUCTION
The Partners
Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives
(MACO) Public Sector Organisation
Zambia Export Growers Association (ZEGA) –
Private Sector Organisation
Basis of Agreement: Memorandum of
Understanding
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INTRODUCTION
1. Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives
[Plant Quarantine Phytosanitary Services
(PQPS)]
Plant Inspectors: (PIs)
Farm inspections
Crop scouting in the field and Green houses
On-farm Export Inspections
Inspect products in pack-sheds
Exit Inspections
Inspect crop products at the Airport Cold rooms
Airport Terminal inspections
Inspect plants and plant materials

INTRODUCTION
2. Zambia Export Growers Association (ZEGA ) –
[Private Sector Organization]
• Established in 1984 as non–profit making org to
promote interests of all growers wishing to export
fresh horticultural produce
• Professional, private and independent body
• Presently has 15 registered exporters comprising
family businesses and companies
• Most farms within 60 km radius of Lusaka
International Airport
• Exports to EU market (based on duty-free, quota-free
market access), and South Africa
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EXPORT MARKETS
Breakdown of markets:
A. FLOWERS
• 20% to Holland-
Auction & Direct
markets
• 80% to UK super
markets and South
Africa
• For the EU market
quarantine pest is
Thrips Palmi
B. VEGETABLES
• 80% to UK – Tescos,
Sainsbury, M&S, etc
• 20% South Africa,
Holland, France,
Australia, New Zealand
All produce subject
to phytosanitary
inspection for pests
and other diseases
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BACKGROUND
Prior to 2007, PQPS had no office at the Lusaka
International Airport although was point of exit for
all fresh produce exports.
Plant inspections done by PIs when invited either
at farm or airport.
• Inspections schedules were not observed.
2003 – Plant inspections introduced for roses for
Thrips Palmi (Quarantine Pest). EU directive.
2005 - Introduction of inspections from 0%
to100% inspection rate for rose flowers
• Significant increases in plant inspection fees based on
increased inspection rate
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BACKGROUND (Cont’d)
Plant inspection fees paid by Zambian exporters both
locally and abroad
2005 – SPS Project initiated between MACO and
ZEGA through a Memorandum of Understanding
Several Cooperating partners (Government of
Zambia, Netherlands government, USAID, etc)
Project Coordinating Group (PQPS, ZEGA,
NRDC/ZEGA Training Trust, Farmer Representative,
ZEGA Ltd, Netherlands Embassy Official)
NRDC/ZEGA Training Trust provided the Secretariat
Project backstopping provided by the International
Agriculture Centre of the Wageningen University

OBJECTIVES
Human capacity development
Phytosanitary export inspections
Provision of necessary equipment
Monitoring and surveillance
Preventive measures
Information flows on phytosanitary regulations
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PQPS INFRASTRUCTURE AND TRAINING
Construction of Phytosanitary office and
laboratory at Lusaka International Airport and
PQPS head office
Procurement of vehicles and Office equipment
Procurement of laboratory equipment
Study tours for PIs to Holland
Workshops and training
Consultant on Export Inspections Systems
Syllabus on Phytosanitary Regulations and
Inspections prepared for Diploma Students
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MONITORING, SURVEILLANCE AND PREVENTIVE
MEASURES
PQPS produced an Pest Status and Early Detection
Monitoring Programme for pests and diseases
Pest surveillance survey carried out since 2007
Cold chain improvement – refrigerated trolleys
Crop scouting courses for farm workers
Consultant on Pest monitoring and management
Consultant trained Plant Inspectors and farm
workers on Monitoring and Surveillance
programmes
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INFORMATION FLOWS ON PHYTOSANITARY
REGULATIONS
Website developed with assistance of
Backstopping officer
Electronic information exchange of Certification
Certification manual produced
Internet connections between LIA office, borders
and Head office
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RESULTS OF PARTNERSHIP
Inspection costs under reduced frequency (rf)
for cut flowers
Flower inspection rate now at 10% from 100%
Reduction in Charges from Eu1.13 to Eu0.11/
1000 stems inspected
Consignment interceptions negligible - about 2
to 3 per year
Plant Inspectors highly committed and
motivated
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CHALLENGES
• Transport for PIs to farms
• Limited disbursements from Govt for
inspections
• Inadequate manpower
• PIs trained in first line inspections
• Local inspection fee not directly accessed
• High Cost of air freight
• Website not updated regularly
• Increasingly stringent SPS measures –
Europe, SA
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CHALLENGES (con’t)
• US Market subject to Pest Risk Assessments
(PRAs) – protect market
• Multiplicity of market standards – BRC,
Nature Choice, MPS, GLOBALGAP, MRLs,
HACCP, Traceability, Packaging, Labelling
• Carbon/Food Miles issue – Threat
• High cost of training and certification - small
growers marginalized
• Border clearance delays, high costs of doing
business
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WAY FORWARD
• Strengthen capacity of Plant Quarantine and Plant
Inspection Service – Establishment of Plant
Regulatory Board
• Development of National Standards in Food Safety
and Hygiene
• Provision of technical assistance to producer
associations with export goods
• Establishment of the regional Horticultural Council
for Eastern and Southern Africa (HCESA) –
Regional Cluster
• Need for Government support in trade integration –
PPP: To enhance our competitiveness in regional
and international markets – infrastructure
Development
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PLANT QUARANTINE AND PHYTOSANITARY SERVICES OFFICE
LUSAKA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
THANK YOU
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