MCDA Final Report Malawi - Standards and Trade Development ...

Genetically-modified organism (GMO) testing for maize: Zimbabwe excludes genetically
modified maize from its markets. This includes the requirement for testing and certification of
maize exports from Malawi as being GM-free. The testing of maize exports as being GM-free is
relatively straightforward. However it may require the laboratory and test method to be
certified. However, Malawi produces little or no GM crops and testing in certified laboratories is
possible in South Africa. Furthermore the concerns of Zimbabwe relate to the potential for unmilled
GM maize to be grown and to cross-pollinate local open-pollinated cultivars. The concern
appears not to extend to milled maize.
Plant pest controls for tobacco: Malawi is a substantial exporter of tobacco to Europe, Asia and
North America. International exports of tobacco require fumigation to exclude storage pests.
This requirement is a usual condition of import permits in Malawi’s main export markets. This
capacity building option is excluded because the issue is already well-addressed and the
fumigation services and national plant protection inspections to fulfil the necessary additional
declaration on the phytosanitary certificate are already in place.
Starch testing for roots and tubers: Cassava starch production is aimed at the supply of raw
material for food manufacturers. It is not clear, however, that such markets require precise
tests for starch content. Further, this is not an SPS but rather a quality issue.
Coffee packaging: The packaging of coffee for export requires specialised packaging that
conforms to market specifications. This is not an SPS issue.
Nutrient content testing for fortified maize meal: Malawian and regionally-available maize
meal is fortified with a range of nutrients as well as being mixed with other foods such as soya
meal. The option is associated with the development of the capacity to test fortified maize meal
for its nutritional value. This is not an SPS issue.
Plant health controls for timber packaging: The IPPC has formulated guidelines the
International Standard for Phytosanitary Measures # 15 (ISPM 15) for the treatment and
certification of wooden packaging in order to prevent the spread of plant pests and diseases
through international trade. Although some exports have not conformed to these
requirements, capacity for the treatment and certification of wooden packaging does exist in
Malawi.
Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) requirements for rice exports: Rice
exported from Malawi to the United Kingdom requires HACCP certification as part of the private
food safety standards in that country. However, commercial opportunities to export rice from
Malawi appear very limited. Further, the requirements to achieve certification would be
minimal for a dry good such as rice that is consumed cooked and where pesticide use is minimal.
Food safety controls for processed mango: There is a potential for the development of exports
of processed mango to a variety of export markets, some of which have strict food safety
requirements, including HACCP. However, HACCP certification can be obtained from
international service providers, probably at lower overall cost than developing the internal
capacity for certification within Malawi.
Capacity for Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) certification in a variety of
sectors: As with mango, certain food exports require HACCP certification. However, HACCP
Page | 14