MISSION REPORT
Reporting officer : Martha Byanyima, SPS Expert
Brian Nsofu, SPS Coordinator
Dates of Mission : 12 – 13 June 2012
Venue : Zanzibar, Tanzania
Purpose : Strategy/planning meeting towards harmonization of
biopesticides regulatory framework in Africa
1. Background
Aspergillus flavus, a fungus commonly found in soils and on grain and legume crops, produces “aflatoxin”, a highly carcinogenic toxin. Chronic aflatoxin ingestion has been shown to cause liver disease and, in high concentrations, death in both humans and domestic animals. In recent years, COMESA countries have experienced aflatoxin epidemics that had negative impacts on human health and trade. In particular, COMESA processors and exporters have faced two problems:
· Heavily contaminated raw material resulting in aflatoxin residues that far exceed permitted levels of 10ppb. This problem has been reported by several processors. Roasted peanuts, peanut butter, maize and cassava flour are most affected. Examples include Choice Nuts that closed after failing to compete in regional markets, FreshPikt whose peanut butter product often fails to meet the South African requirement on aflatoxin residues.
· Non-accredited laboratories issuing certificates of analysis, which often results in rejection of certificates of analysis. This problem has on several occasions been reported by cross border traders.
In response to the problem, COMESA mobilized resources with emphasis on:
· Research and development of biocontrol technology. Three (3) COMESA countries have embarked on biocontrol technology trials (Kenya, Malawi and Zambia) with support from USDA, Gates Foundation and IITA.
· Registration guidelines for biopesticides/biocontrols. The lack of registration guidelines for biopesticides/biocontrols will in the long run undermine commercialization and accessibility of the technology by smallholders.
· Harmonized sampling and testing procedures to strengthen a network of regional aflatoxin analysis laboratories with support from USDA and USAID. The meeting will agree on the strategy to strengthen laboratory capacity, including a system for mutual recognition of certificates of analysis
2. Attendance of the Meeting
The roundtable strategy meeting was attended by;
(i) Experts from 4 countries that are piloting the aflatoxin biocontrol technology;
o Mozambique, represented by the National Plant Protection Organization (NPPO)
o Kenya, represented by the Pest Control Products Board (PCPB) of Kenya
o Tanzania, represented by the Tropical Pesticide Research Institute of Tanzania(TPRI)
o Zambia, represented by the National Institute for Scientific and Industrial Research (NISIR)
(ii) Two scientists from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)
(iii) One scientist from the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA)
(iv) Two scientists from COMESA Secretariat,
(v) One scientist and Logistics Officer from the African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF)
(vi) One scientist from COLEACP –Belgium
(vii) An independent Bio-security Expert
3. Objectives of the Meeting
· To refine the proposed joint work plan for aflatoxin control, particularly to plan work on registration guidelines for biopesticides.
· To plan work on strengthening a network of regional laboratories for aflatoxin analysis
4. Expected Output of the Meeting
· A refined work plan, backed by technical resources and funding, ready for implementation.
5. Summary of deliberation
· The Pesticide Registrar Dr. Bakari Kaoneka from TPRI-Tanzania welcomed the participant and briefly highlighted the reasons for meeting. He indicated that there were a lot of counterfeit pesticides, different definition of biopesticides/pesticides in the region and therefore, the meeting was important to address some of these issues.
· Mr. Jason Sandahl from USDA informed the meeting that the USAID funds for aflatoxin biocontrol were to come up with a series of workshops on regulatory aspects, laboratory issues and research isolates. The regulatory component was difficult to tackle as there was a lot of work that has been done and it was not clear on who is supposed to do what. He emphasized on the need for a clear roadmap on what to do from here, prioritize on what to work on and obtain results.
· Dr. Rob Black (consultant) explained that biopesticides were important as alternatives to conventional pesticides.
· Dr. Paul Ngaruiya from PCPB of Kenya gave a presentation indicating the works done in trying to harmonize the registration of pesticides in the EAC. He emphasized on the important role of Regional Economic Communities (RECs) in achieving harmonization in the region.
· COMESA explained that the meeting had come at the right time in terms of integration and the need to expand African markets. Ms. Byanyima further explained that there was a common agreement with COMESA, EAC and SADC known as the Tripartite Framework , working towards a combined FTA. She indicated that harmonization of biopesticide registration was one of the priority areas under the SPS tripartite work programme, and that there was need to build on the work done by EAC and SADC on harmonization of pesticides and biopesticides registration and avoid duplication of efforts. Ms. Byanyima emphasized the role of national laboratories in the establishment of an effective biopesticide regulatory framework,. (a) competent laboratories would assist governments to prove efficacy of the biopesticide and fast track registration for ( b) competent laboratories would monitor aflatoxin levels in specific value chains and thus prove effectiveness ( b) as well as (c) support formulation of the biopesticide products
· USDA expressed need for training in risk assessment to determine conditions of use of the biopestcide product.
· USDA further emphasized that the e laboratory capacity building initiative will be run parallel to the biopesticide registration project.
6. Key Observations, Issues and Outcomes
The meeting generated a number of important issues and insights:
(i) There was emphasis on harmonized registration guidelines for biopesticides because of their lower toxicity, cost effectiveness and eco friendliness. However, harmonization requires mutual recognition of country data.
(ii) With respect to aflatoxin biocontrols (a biopesticide), countries expressed fear of re-introducing GMOs prohibited by national biosafety frameworks.
(iii) IITA informed the meeting that in order to address concerns of GMOs on aflatoxin biocontrol strains taken out of a particular country and brought back again, it was important to involve countries at the trial phase and build local capacity for research and development of the biocontrol technology so that no research is carried out outside the country.
(iv) To have credible registration, there is need to have credible laboratories that will give data to support the registration process. Furthermore, regional laboratories implementing harmonised sampling and testing proceuders need to trust each other through a system of mutual recognition.
(v) RECs (COMESA, EAC, ECOWAS, SADC)will be observer members of the project steering committee. COMESA will explore at what stage the project could seek REC buy in.
(vi) One person from each member country will work with AATF and USDA to oversee and monitor progress and project implementation.
(vii) The project will also have a technical working group composed of three members identified from each pilot country to and a consultant/expert as needed.
7. Results of the meeting
(i) Biopesticides registration guidelines
· The meeting came up with an action plan, with timelines towards development of guidelines for the regional registration of microbial biopesticides drawing from existing frameworks (SADC, Kenya and Ghana).
· A review and approval process of the guidance document will only be undertaken upon receiving comments from the RECs and advice on how to achieve harmonization through the REC mechanism.
· Following advice, a meeting of experts will be convened by RECs followed by the endorsement of the guidance document through the REC policy organs.
· Concurrent with finalization of draft guidance and endorsement through the REC policy organs, the project will provide technical support to pilot countries for translating the guidelines into legal instruments at country level.
(ii) Strengthening regional laboratories for aflatoxin control
· The meeting was informed by USDA that this will be a parallel initiative guided by the COMESA proposal
The workshop and participation were fully funded by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).
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