by

A. Sakala

Quarantine and Phytosanitary ServicesZambia

SAFRINET & The International Plant Protection Convention

(IPPC)

SAFRINET & The International Plant Protection Convention

(IPPC) SADC

SAFRINET The Southern African network of BioNET-

InternationalBioNET’s purpose: building taxonomic capacity

through regional networks

SAFRINET is the Southern African Regional Network of BioNET-International and An official SADC project, in the Directorate for Food, Agriculture and Natural Resources (FANR)

Why is taxonomy important?

Taxonomy is: • Naming of organism• Classification of organism groups• Documenting natural history; food, hosts, parasites, biogeography, etc.

Important for: • Recognizing species, quarantine pests• Communication / reporting to importer• Accessing information, handling procedures• Predicting behaviour, •Recognizing potentially problematic species

All these are important for phytosanitary services

SAFRINET’s operational strategy

To focus initially on a:• Specific user group = phytosanitary services &

digital information

• Specific need = identify quarantine organisms

To take a new approaches in:

• Enabling quarantine staff to identify organisms

• Develop new tools = computer aided

• To be a regional node for national & international initiatives; Discover Life, GBIF, ETI, etc.

SAFRINET: Phytosanitary services

Achievements: • SAFRINET Co-ordinating Committee approval• SADC phytosanitary services support• FANR Directorate endorsement• Partners in digital tools: ETI, DAISY, Discover Life,

EcoPort, ABIS• Working with international organizations: IPPC,

USGS • FANR core funding & competitive fund

SAFRINET: Phytosanitary services ctd.

What next: • Raise funds• Decide on priority products• Decide on priority organisms on product• Choose best electronic tools• Acquire expertise to develop the tools• Train users• Implement new system

Why this approach

The formation of a hub• Invasive species are a global problem

• SADC does not have the technical expertise of the developed world, but can be a partner for our mutual benefit

Why this approach

The use of electronic tools

• Adequate taxonomic expertise is unlikely to ever be available at each, or even most, quarantine stations

• The use of electronic tools requires minimal training

• Standard tools will give standardized results, access to one information source, approved handling procedures measures and standardized reporting

Current Initiatives

• SADC is reviewing the current phytosanitary regulations in order to facilitate local trade

• Widespread pests in the region are being removed

• Harmonized import and export documents• Conducted PRA’s should be SADC wide• Hasten market access and facilitate trade

• Having reviewed the current pest lists, SADC will have to look at the A1 pests for the region

• Identification capabilities of quarantine pests may not lay in the region.

• This will entail capacity building for the region including computer based identification keys.

• Having reviewed the current pest lists, SADC will have to look at the A1 pests for the region

• Identification capabilities of quarantine pests may not lay in the region.

• This will entail capacity building for the region including computer based identification keys.

ChallengeChallenge

A SAFRINET, IPPC and technology developers partnerships• SAFRINET trains phytosanitary services inspectors in organism identification• The most practical solution is to use electronic technology• The tools need to be developed (technology exists)

• The tools require international recognition• Use SAFRINET for a pilot project for getting global acceptance

• IPPC framework used for:• Setting standards• Ensure that the tools are recognized by importers• Promote this approach

• Technology developers• Ensure adequate, reliable tools• Indication that USDA-APHIS will support this Hub

Conclusions

Acknowledgements:

Congress organizers: German Government and IPPCZambia Phytosanitary servicesARC-PPRISupporters of SAFRINET

Thank you