The vegetable ban. Where are we? By Mr Lamptey. Programme supported by the European Union

Transcription

1 The vegetable ban Where are we? By Mr Lamptey Programme supported by the European Union

2 INTRODUCTION Plant health checks carried out by Member States on consignments of certain plants and plant products originating in Ghana revealed that a high number of these plants and plant products were infested with harmful organisms, mainly non-european Tephritidae, like Ceratitis cosyra (Walker), Thrips palmi karny or Bemisia tabaci (Genn). The number of consignments from Ghana intercepted with harmful organisms in the Union has shown a significant upward trend since Most of the interceptions concern plants other than seeds, of Capsicum L., Lagenaria Ser., Luffa Mill., Momordica L., and Solanum L., other than S. lycopersicum L.,( hereinafter the specified commodities ).

3 INTRODUCTION cont. Audits carried out by the Commission in Ghana in 2012 and 2015 revealed shortcomings in the Phytosanitary export certification system. The commission concluded that the current Phytosanitary safeguards of Ghana are insufficient to ensure that consignment of plants and plant products originating in Ghana are free from harmful organisms or to avoid the risk of introduction of harmful organisms into the Union through the import of the specified commodities.

4 INTRODUCTION cont. The Food and Veterinary Office (FVO ) in 2015 came out with 15 Findings and Recommendations to be addressed by the National Plant Protection (NPPO) of Ghana. A Ministerial task force was composed in 2015 by the Minister of Food and Agriculture.

5 Composition & Mandate Composition: 1 from Minister s office, 4 from PPRSD, 1 from Plant Quarantine Division KIA and Tema Port, 1 from GEPA, 1 from the Directorate of Crop Services, 2 from GAVEX, 1 from Ghanaveg and 1 from MOAP/GIZ. 3 subcommittees: Logistics, Field inspection and Phytosanitary certification Mandate: to monitor and assist in the implementation of the actions proposed, in addressing the issues raised in the FVO report.

6 EFFORTS AND THE BAN In September, 2015 a temporary ban was imposed by MoFA to put in corrective measures to enable Ghanaian horticultural producers to conform to standards. In October, 2015 the FVO of EU imposed a ban on the export of 5 critical vegetable commodities (Capsicum sp., Solanum sp., Lagenaria sp., Momordica sp., and Luffa sp).until 31st December, 2016, when all the issues raised should be addressed. FVO will carry out another audit in September 2016 to assess the progress of the implementation of the proposed actions.

7 LIST OF BANNED CROPS

8 INTERCEPTIONS (Crops)- 2015

9 INTERCEPTIONS (Pests)

10 PRODUCTION /FIELD ISSUES Trained 216 vegetable producers/farmers and 24 Extension officers on GAPs in 6 Districts from 2015 with financial support from WAPP. PPRSD has developed documentary on GAPs to be telecast on TV and other platforms to sensitize producers, exporters and the general public. It is being edited for airing end of February. EU funded training of nineteen (19) Phytosanitary inspectors on BTSF safer food in November 2015 and two staff trained in Cameroun in December 2015 Phytosanitary Inspectors had been trained One staff trained in Japan on strengthening safety management systems of agricultural products. Agro consulting Europe trained 15 Phytosanitary Inspectors in the Better Training for Safer Food initiative(9-13 Nov. 2015). USDA trained 20 Phytosanitary Inspectors on risk based inspection and certification in September, 2015.

11 FIELD TRIALS

12 FIELD TRIAL cont.

13 CURRENT ACTIVITIES BEING UNDERTAKEN ON THE FIELD PPRSD and some key stakeholders are carrying out verification trials in 33 locations in 4 regions on the critical commodities in respect of the 4 harmful organisms. GIZ provided logistics for the field trials. Protocols have been developed for FCM register exporters, importers, and ISPM N0. 15 operators, for effective and efficient regulation of their operations to ensure compliance to standards. developed documentary on GAPs to be telecast on TV and other platforms to sensitize producers, exporters and the general public Develop factsheets have been developed on critical pests (thrips, false codling moth, white flies and fruit flies) and their management.

14 INSPECTION & CERTIFICATION Registered exporters are required to belong to recognized associations. They and their out growers have been assigned unique codes to ensure traceability. PPRSD has: developed numbered cards system on first come first serve basis to avoid pressure on inspectors and being used. Developed sheets to be attached to Phytosanitary certificates in order to accommodate more commodities in the consignment. validates packing list, waybill and Phytosanitary certificates prior to shipment. Exporters attach signed waybill from where produce is sourced to their packing list to ensure traceability.

15 SOP validated and submitted to FVO in January Revised Pest List ready for submission on February Plant Quarantine Inspection Manual finalized and submitted to FVO in March PPRSD undertaken a major transfer exercise in the Directorate to ensure that official checks of exports to the international markets are performed by staff having the appropriate level of training and experience. Additional training on ISPMs 7,12,23 were carried out for the newly posted staff at Pokuase.

16 PPRSD has received funds to: develop a computerized system to record daily export transaction to ensure traceability of Phytosanitary certificates. establish procedures for investigating notifications from importing countries of non-conforming consignment put up an inspection facility for PPRSD. Funds by Aviance cargo company. land provided for the construction of permanent inspection facility at KIA. Funds by EDAIF. Upgrade laboratory inspection equipment and coaching inspectors at KIA for Phytosanitary controls. Fund by TRAQUE. tablets for inspectors to use in accessing Technical information. Build a Plant Quarantine Laboratory. Port Cabin has been finalized for installation at AGPC by USAID

17 Useful info & way forward Access to the EU regulated pests list online Way forward: PPRSD will continue to expand the Field Trials/demonstration farms to give it a wider coverage. PPRSD will continue to provide on the job Training to its staff. Incorporating the Green label Concept as a basis for certification

18 More information? Contact-us TRAQUE Programme Ministry of Trade and Industry Trade Drive, Rooms 115 & 116 Accra, Ghana Follow us on facebook: