1. COMESA SPS capacity strengthening Programme “The Status ” Brian Nsofu COMESA Secretariat VETGOV/PANSPSO STEERING COMMITTEE MEETING 21-22 NOV 2012, LUSAKA

2. Specific Objective Enhance the SPS capacity of the public and private sector of member states in order to gain and maintain regional and international market access for food and agricultural products. Objectives of the COMESA SPS interventions are based in large part on the objectives and the implementation of the CAADP Pillar II:“Rural Infrastructure and Trade-Related Capacities for improved market access”. 8/18/2015 VETGOV/PANSPSO STEERING COMMITTEE MEETING 21-22 NOV 2012, LUSAKA

3. Expected results 1.Regional leadership, coordination and collaboration on SPS issues. 2.Private-sector-driven common certification schemes/protocols and standards in use 3.Monitoring, surveillance, diagnostic and emergency response systems established for priority SPS risks 4.Improved decision making using accurate and up-to-date SPS information VETGOV/PANSPSO STEERING COMMITTEE MEETING 21-22 NOV 2012, LUSAKA

4. Council Decisions Enhance programs for mutual recognition and harmonization of SPS measures to facilitate intra regional trade Develop and implement the Green Pass Certification Scheme Harmonize regulatory aspects related to natural remedies such as bio control & biopesticides VETGOV/PANSPSO STEERING COMMITTEE MEETING 21-22 NOV 2012, LUSAKA

5. Background – MTSP(2011-2015) MTSP priorities: (a) removing barriers to trade to consolidate the internal market/FTA (b) building productive capacity to enhance global competitiveness and build regional capacity MTSP indicators: (a) SPS measures harmonized in at least 14 countries (b) 19 countries implementing mutual recognition agreements on SPS measures and certificates The MTSP guides the outcomes, the LF guides intervention logic (what & how) VETGOV/PANSPSO STEERING COMMITTEE MEETING 21-22 NOV 2012, LUSAKA

6. Enhance programs for mutual recognition and harmonization of SPS measures A key challenge to intra regional trade has been the lack of mechanisms for the mutual recognition of SPS measures based on equivalence rather than sameness. Training (a) Regional training on the application of the principle of “equivalence” to facilitate trade (b) Regional training on sampling and testing protocols for aflatoxin control (c ) MCDA VETGOV/PANSPSO STEERING COMMITTEE MEETING 21-22 NOV 2012, LUSAKA

7. Projects (a)horticulture trade facilitation project o Support COMESA horticulture exporters to access the SA market (Ethiopia, Kenya, Madagascar, Zimbabwe) (b) biopesticides registration guidelines o Work plan for development of harmonized biopesticides registration guidelines developed (c) aflatoxin sampling and testing protocols o Regional action plan for harmonized sampling and testing protocols developed and funding secured from USDA VETGOV/PANSPSO STEERING COMMITTEE MEETING 21-22 NOV 2012, LUSAKA

8. (d) fruit fly surveillance o Support Swaziland and Zambia to mitigate the fruit fly problem (with TMSA funding) (e) The Green Pass o the “Green Pass” is a mechanism for mutual recognition based on accreditation, and would allow for equivalence at commodity or system level. o Current status: -Funds secured from the STDF for the feasibility study -Legal analysis completed -Feasibility study under preparation to establish Green Pass modalities VETGOV/PANSPSO STEERING COMMITTEE MEETING 21-22 NOV 2012, LUSAKA

9. (f) M ulti ‐ Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) MCDA enables capacity building options to be prioritized based on a wide range of decision criteria - Provides evidence on economic returns from SPS capacity building options to mobilize necessary investments Five COMESA member states trained and conducted the MCDA analysis (Malawi, Zambia, Rwanda, Ethiopia and Uganda) Software has been provided by the STDF [5 MS + COMESA] One COMESA staff trained as trainer on application of MCDA VETGOV/PANSPSO STEERING COMMITTEE MEETING 21-22 NOV 2012, LUSAKA

10. PANSPSO TRAINING OF TRAINERS WORKSHOP Date: 23-25 July 2012 30 participants (Animal health, Plant Health and Food safety) MSs: DRC, Comoros, Madagascar, Malawi, Seychelles, Zambia (except Mauritius) VETGOV/PANSPSO STEERING COMMITTEE MEETING 21-22 NOV 2012, LUSAKA

11. Regional workshop on food safety/HACCP for SMEs Review guidelines for regional biopesticides registration & laboratory testing/sampling procedures Regional training to apply science based decision making in prioritizing COMESA SPS priorities Stakeholders workshop to discuss components of a potential trade facilitation project (role for Green Pass) Support the 5 th COMESA SPS Subcommittee meeting VETGOV/PANSPSO STEERING COMMITTEE MEETING 21-22 NOV 2012, LUSAKA Activities 2013