Proposal JIFSAN – Mexico Training Center for Good Agricultural Practices

Background: Based on the success of the Aquacultural Food Safety Center (AFSC) in Bangladesh in partnership with BSFF Purpose: Enhance effectiveness of JIFSAN international programs through partnerships with host countries to facilitate ongoing training

Aquacultural Food Safety Center (AFSC) Model Providing a vehicle and framework to sustain in-country regional training and capacity building. Obtaining support through partnerships with the sponsoring country, industry and local institutions. Utilizing existing resources within Bangladesh to reach all aquaculture production regions. Developing a cadre of in-country trainers, thereby increasing the capacity to conduct on-going extension- like training.

Why Bother with Mexico ? Mexico is our largest supplier of fresh vegetables and ships significant amounts of fruit Outbreaks of illness associated with Mexican produce still occur, although less frequently (perhaps) than in the past Frequent travel alerts to Mexico impede planning By improving the expertise of Mexican trainers, JIFSAN can reduce its costs while increasing the level of training activities in-country

Potential Partner in Mexico Secretaría de Agricultura, Ganadería, Desarrollo Rural, Pesca y Alimentación (SAGARPA) functions in a manner similar to our own USDA Servicio Nacional de Sanidad, Inocuidad y Calidad Agroalimentaria (SENASICA) functions as the food safety entity within SAGARPA

Year 1 i.Work with a Mexican partner to develop a formal collaborative agreement for a GAP Training Center. JIFSAN is prepared to send representatives to Mexico who have the authority to negotiate and sign the agreement. ii. Choose a cadre of potential resident trainers in Mexico. Qualified trainers already exist in Mexico as a result of the JIFSAN programs that have been conducted in-country and also as a result of Mexico’s own GAP training programs. iii. Offer additional training in Mexico and possibly in the U.S. to these resident trainers. iv. If JIFSAN is able to conduct another basic GAP program in Mexico during fiscal year , we propose to recruit trainer(s) from the existing cadre of local professional trainers to play a greater role in the training.

Year 2 i.Bring candidate trainers from Mexico to the US for an internship at FDA, USDA and the University of Maryland (UM). ii. Offer training programs in Mexico with resident trainers participating as trainers. The number of course offerings should be stated in the Agreement. iii. Work with resident trainers to develop training modules specific to local needs. SENASICA has already developed GAP training materials and has conducted training programs in-country.

Year 3 i.Offer training program(s) in Mexico with resident trainers as lead trainers with JIFSAN and FDA staff as support. ii. Develop a compensation program for the Mexican trainers. This may be accomplished earlier than the third year if grant proposal submission are successful.

Subsequent Years i.Offer additional training programs in Mexico with resident trainers as leaders and with JIFSAN and FDA staff in a consultant capacity.

Funding, Cost Sharing and Budget for the Center JIFSAN will take a lead role in the development of grant proposals to secure funding Ideally the Center will be fully supported by grant funding Until funds are secured, current JIFSAN fiscal policy for cost sharing will be strictly implemented