FSCBRC Project

Introduction
Funding
Objective and purpose
Outputs
Institutional Framework
Organisational Structure
Contact

Introduction and background

One of the most important constraints to regional agri-products trade and access to international markets is the lack of compliance with WTO/SPS measures by SADC Member States. The lack of compliance limits the access to preferential lucrative market offered by the EU or the US under the US Africa Growth Opportunities Act (AGOA) for targeted agricultural products. Access to international markets for agricultural products requires benchmarking WTO/SPS measures aimed to protect human, animal and plant health and to prevent entry, spread and establishment of pest and diseases.

SADC Member States have so far not harmonised and enforced fully regulations on SPS measures and in particular on Maximum Residue Levels (MRLs), which constitute an important technical barrier to trade within and outside the Region. Furthermore, there is a lack of participation by SADC Member States in the activities of organizations mandated by WTO to set SPS standards, notably the OIE, IPPC and Codex Alimentarius Commission, both in terms of numbers and effectiveness.

The Food Safety Capacity Building on Residue Control (FSCBRC) project has been designed by SADC to fill in the gap and build the capacity of Member States to set a comprehensive control system framework to address and harmonise WTO/SPS standards in order to smoothen trade of agri-products within and outside the region. Indeed, meeting WTO/SPS standards also improves the competitiveness of the agribusiness sector driving at the same time the demand for high quality raw materials and processed products. Expansion of trade has a direct relationship to poverty reduction and accelerated economic growth in developing countries, with a heavy impact on the agricultural sector.

Besides the trade objectives related to harmonisation of SPS measures, the compliance with these measures leads to improved Food Security and Food Safety for consumers. Food Safety is closely linked with human health and productivity and therefore is at the heart of SADC’s efforts to increase wealth and growth in the region.

Funding Mechanism

The FSCBRC is entirely funded by the EC at 7,5 million Euros.

Overall objective and purpose

The FSCBRC project is in line with the overall objective of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) to achieving development, economic growth and poverty eradication as priorities contained in the Regional Indicative Strategic Development Plan (RISDP)

The project agreement was signed in 2007 for duration of four years. The implementation of activities commenced in April 2008.

The overall objective is to promote regional trade through regional integration and greater access by SADC Member States exporters to the EU and world markets for agricultural products (including livestock and fisheries). It provides SADC Member States with the opportunity to comply with WTO/SPS (Codex, IPPC and OIE) requirements which include among others:

• Efficient control system,
• Harmonization of legislation,
• Certification procedures,
• Inspection guidelines,
• Information education and communication,
• Risk analysis,
• Outbreak management,
• Data collection and
• Establishment of a regional network of SPS/Food safety issues.

The project purpose is to harmonize food safety control regulations, guidelines and procedures through institutional strengthening in the SADC region in conformity with international requirements in order to increase exports while complying with consumer food safety requirements.

The project will take a broad-based approach, initially carrying out a situation analysis on the effectiveness of existing food control systems (food laws; food control management; inspection services; laboratory services; information, education, communication and training) through National Coordination Committees (NCCs) and then build then capacity of stakeholders along the food chain.

The project endeavours to achieve five outputs:

1. Food safety regulatory frameworks at national and SADC regional level strengthened;

The project will assist SADC Member States to assess and revise their respective Food Control Systems which includes of food laws and regulations; food control management; inspection services; laboratory services; information, education, communication and training to meet WTO/SPS requirements.

The revision includes the formulation of enforcement procedures for these food laws. The process of assessing the existing legislation will be done through a participative approach. The outcomes of this exercise from all SADC member States will form the basis for the formulation of SADC regional guidelines and standards harmonised with WTO/SPS requirements. Strong cooperation with SADCSTAN will assist in the process of establishing relevant standards.

2. Regulatory framework for registration and quality control of crop protection products and veterinary drugs at national and SADC regional level strengthened;

Directly linked to MRL requirements, food safety and public health, is the utilisation of appropriate and registered pesticides/herbicides and veterinary drugs 7 in the production of agriculture and food commodities production of agriculture and food commodities.

3. Analytical capability of national and regional laboratories strengthened and assistance towards accreditation provided;

The project will carry out an assessment of the analytical capacity of selected laboratories in the SADC Member States on the basis of their ability to carry out testing for the disciplines of relevance for the project:

• residues (veterinary drugs; pesticides; selected contaminants) in view of testing for MRL and

• quality of pre-formulated drugs and pesticides in view of testing for their registration.

All types of laboratories (Government, private, Bureaux of Standards etc.), will be considered in this assessment, and provided they have the basic required capacity (equipment, personnel) and a history of involvement in this type of testing.

4. Coordination and communication between national and regional authorities involved in the regulatory frameworks on SPS relevant issues enhanced;

This outcome seeks to create an enabling regional trade environment in the SADC region by improving information generation, dissemination and coordination mechanisms among national and regional authorities involved in food control systems, particularly MRL enforcement, as well as enhance communication between the public and private sector. It relates to an important component of a food control system as described in Outcome 1 “Information, communication, education and training”.

5. A network of SPS subject matter specialists established and public awareness on, and knowledge of SPS issues in the SADC region, improved.

Building capacities in Member States through the development of a comprehensive training programme and its implementation through in service training, workshops and seminars is one of the most important components of the programme. The aim is to inform industry players (producers, exporters, extension services, competent authorities, transporters and distributors, etc.) on food quality, food safety and protection, packaging and standards as well as compliance with SPS regulations and procedures, so as to assist them to comply with SPS/Food Safety requirements for international trade.

Institutional Framework

The FSCBRC is supervised by the Project Steering Committee and the Project Technical Committee. These committees are composed of elected technical persons from SADC Members States and the EU as an observer.

At national level, the stakeholders operating the food value chain are working together within the National Coordination Committees (NCCs) which are being established in all in the Member States. The NCC is a formal partnership structure which enables the project to reach out to its stakeholders (Governmental Institutions, NGO’s, Universities, Analytical Laboratories, Private Sector, Research Institutes, farmers, Farmer’s Associations, Retailers, Importers/Exporters, etc…) implements SPS/Food Safety activities and defines roles and responsibilities along the food value chain based on «the farm to table approach». In the future, the NCC is foreseen to be the National Food Authority which will deal with all SPS issues as « a one stop shop». NCC’s constitute also a way to address the sustainability at this early stage of project commencement once it phases out within the next four to five years.

Organisational Structure

Contact

Director, FANR Directorate
SADC Secretariat
2nd Floor Kgale
View Private Bag 0095
Gaborone Botswana
Tel +267 3951863
Fax +267 3957109 / 3924099
e-mail: mnyirenda@sadc.int
Website: www.sadc.int

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