Plant Health, Climate Change and Trade - TradeMark Southern Africa

More documents

Recommendations

Info

13 the overall establishment of the WTO in 1994. Many of these weaknesses still persist despite significant efforts to address capacity problems. Strong public private partnerships can assist to overcome some of these weaknesses. A good example is the National Exotic Fruit Fly Surveillance Programme that are being conducted by the South African Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF): Directorate Plant Health as a collaborative approach between the South African government, affected fruit industries and research institutes. The project was started in January 2006, when a network of fruit fly traps was set up as an early warning system to detect exotic fruit flies, such as Bactrocera invadens, also known as the Invader fruit fly. The South African fruit industry was recognised as a key role player to assist with the surveillance. Subsequently, Citrus Research International (CRI), Citrus Growers' Association (CGA), the Deciduous Fruit Producers Trust (DFPT/Hortgro), the South African Table Grape Industry (SATI) and the Subtropical Growers Association became more intensely part of the official national exotic fruit fly detection survey. A National Steering Committee, that included representatives from affected industries, was established by DAFF to coordinate and communicate activities related to the surveillance programme. The Steering Committee developed a National Action Plan for Bactrocera invadens surveillance, containment and eradication that was implemented in South Africa and made available for use to other countries in the region. The Action Plan contains a survey protocol, quarantine and eradication procedures, information management guidelines and highlights stockpiling as an important aspect of preparedness. This early warning system paid off in 2010 when South Africa experienced the first detections of Bactrocera invadens in the Limpopo Province and outbreaks were successfully contained and eradicated. In anticipation of potential future trade implications for fruit exports to countries such as the United States, trapping efforts were extended in the 2011/12 citrus production season to include all exporting production units in the citrus industry. It is anticipated that these trapping requirements for export will be further expanded to other potentially affected industries in South Africa. 6.11. Developing regional initiatives and the role of EAC, COMESA and SADC Regional coordination will be required to effectively deal with trans-boundary pests and diseases such as fruit flies. The development of regional surveillance programmes and pest information systems will support inadequate national capacities. However, functional national surveillance systems may be used as building blocks for such regional systems. SADC, EAC and COMESA should compile information on areas of phytosanitary expertise in different Member States for sharing in order to encourage the exchange of knowledge within the region. This is especially important to save time and costs as successfully implemented or completed initiatives may provide insight into practical considerations (lessons learnt) that should be included into planning of new and similar initiatives in other areas or countries. Regional SPS committees provide ideal platforms to facilitate information exchange, harmonisation and cooperation amongst members. A STDF report published in 2010, states that the expansion of regional consciousness and the establishment of Regional Economic Communities (REC's) ''carry the potential for an COP 17 -‐ Trademark Climate change impact on phytosanitary risks
14 improved approach on SPS matters''. It analysed regional SPS policy frameworks, including those of COMESA, EAC and SADC, and warns against using WTO SPS language out of context in these regional frameworks that could create confusion, raise legal concerns, and in extreme cases raises the questions of the utility of such frameworks. It therefore recommends that existing SPS policy frameworks should be carefully reviewed in terms of their practical utility, to eliminate any duplication or contradiction with regard to the WTO SPS Agreement. The report further encourages active participation in of REC's in meetings of International Standard Setting Organisations (ISSO's) and the WTO SPS Committee as experience shows that such participation facilitates the task of Member States. The report also recommends that " REC's should promote regional and national coordination by taking the lead in organizing systematic preparation meetings of technical experts in advance of important ISSOs meetings and, whenever possible, develop continental/regional common positions on matters of common interest''. COMESA, EAC and SADC should also put a strong accent on the need for the creation or strengthening of existing national SPS Committees and increase awareness of SPS issues at political and general public levels. Training may be provided for officials who attend or participate in these national or regional SPS Committees. Capacity-building efforts should be focused on demand-driven activities, that are identified through capacity evaluations, and should involve all relevant stakeholders. By using the various existing transparency tools developed by the WTO SPS Committee instead of duplicating systems for the publication and notification of SPS measures, unnecessary administrative burdens may be avoided. COMESA, EAC and SADC may assist members by receiving, screening and disseminating WTO SPS notifications of interest to the region. COP 17 -‐ Trademark Climate change impact on phytosanitary risks
Page 2 and 3: 1 SPS, climate change and trade A
Page 4 and 5: 3 national SPS systems to implemen
Page 6 and 7: 5 Stem rust (black), stripe rust (
Page 8 and 9: 7 South Africa has strict import r
Page 10 and 11: 9 undertake such tasks. The FAO ha
Page 12 and 13: 11 reaction of pests and diseases
Page 16: “

Plant Health, Climate Change and Trade - TradeMark Southern Africa

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

Delete template?

Save as template?