BULLETIN D'INFORMATIONS PHYTOSANITAIRES ... - Union africaine

ACTIVITES DU UA/CPI/UA’S/IAPSC’S ACTIVITIESPanafrican workshop for the review of Draft InternationalStandards for Phytosanitary Measures.Nairobi, Kenya28–30 July 2009The meeting was opened by Dr. J.G. MEZUI M’ELLA,Director of AU-IAPSC and Dr. Ahmed EL-Sawalhy,Director of AU/IBAR as well as Mr David MwangiNjuru from EC Office in Kenya.The meeting was attended by 27 representatives ofcountries contracting parties to the IPPC, the FAORegional Plant Protection Officer, Hannah Clarendon,Dave Nowell representative of IPPC Secretariat andother guests from USDA and EU.1. Adoption of the agendaThe agenda was discussed and adopted. The Ghanarepresentative Jack Vesper Suglo was elected as chairof the meeting and Similo Mavimbela Swaziland andEsaiah Tjelele from Lesotho were selected as rapporteursfor the group. The facilitator for the group wasArundel Sakala, a Standards Committee Memberfrom Zambia. The order of the presentations of thedraft standards was changed to have the Glossarylast.2. Purpose of the workshopThe Chairperson of the opening session, Prof. Jean-Baptiste Bahama outlined the main purpose of theworkshop and said it aimed at providing participantsfrom countries with a regional forum to discuss thedraft International Standards for PhytosanitaryMeasures (ISPMs). These discussions would help participantsgain a better understanding of the nationaland regional impact of these proposed standards andprovide a basis for the development and submissionof national comments. The workshop covered the followingdraft ISPMs:- Diagnostic Protocol on Thrips palmi- Cold treatments of fruit flies- Revision of ISPM No. 7: Export Certification System- Revision of ISPM No. 12: Guidelines forphytosanitary certificates- Glossary of phytosanitary terms (Amendment toISPM No. 5)- Draft ISPM: Design and operation of post-entryquarantine stations.3. Overview of the IPPCDave Nowel representing the IPPC Secretariat gavean overview of the IPPC, ISPMs and the standard settingprocess. It was recalled to participants that IPPCSecretariat supports the production of ISPMs, facilitatesinformation exchange, provides input into technicalassistance programmes, facilitates dispute settlementand coordinates with RPPOs.It was noted that the meeting was held to assist countriesin the preparation of their comments on draftISPMs. Official comments were expected to be submittedto the IPPC Secretariat by the national IPPCcontact point before the deadline of 30 September2009.4. Overview of the PAN-SPSO projectThe Participation of African Nations to Sanitary andPhytosanitary Standards Organizations (PAN-SPSO)Project, jointly implemented by AU-IAPSC andAU/IBAR, was presented by Dr. Raphael Coly. Itsobjective is to facilitate effective participation of29PHYTOSANITARY NEWS BULLETIN N OS 60/61