30 June -2 July 2010Presented By Louisa Makumbe

Plant Quarantine ServicesRainbow Towers - Harare

PRESENTATION LAYOUT Overview of Document 3: SADC Protocol- on Quarantine and Phytosanitary

measures for seed

Overview of Quarantine and Phytosanitary measures for seed legislation

and process in Zimbabwe

Inconsistencies between SADC Protocol vs National Legislation and

practice

What should be done to align National Legislation and procedures to the

SADC protocol

Role of stakeholders to achieve alignment

Overview of Document 3: SADC Protocol- on Quarantine and Phytosanitary measures for seed INTRODUCTION

Following extensive technical and policy consultations, 3 proposals

concerning harmonization of seed regulations in SADC were developed by

the SADC Secretariat

This was done through the Food, Agriculture and Natural Resources

(FANR) Directorate

Presented to a meeting of SADC Permanent Secretaries of Agriculture in

Maputo, Mozambique, 7-8 December 2005.

The 3 proposals were: (1) SADC Crop Variety Testing, Registration and

Release System, (2) SADC Seed Certification and Quality Assurance

System, and (3) SADC Quarantine and Phytosanitary Measures for Seed.

Key features of the revised proposal

They are in harmony with existing national regulations and

National authorities maintain full control of the

implementation of the harmonisation systems (Agreements)

The SADC Secretariat simply plays a coordinating and

facilitating role. As the Harmonization Agreements

(Systems) are being implemented

National authorities and institutions will contribute in the

execution to the extent allowed by national capacity.

Purpose

To enhance safer and faster movement of seed through establishing

common Quarantine and Phytosanitary Measures for seed in the SADC

Region, (science-based)

i.e

Reduced direct and indirect costs related to seed trade

Encouragement of safe movement and dissemination of seeds.

Introducing a rationalized SADC pest lists for the movement of seeds

between Member States, and between SADC and outside countries

To carry our procedures in a transparent manner supported by

appropriate documentation.

Organisation

The Project Management Unit (PMU)of the SADC Seed Security Network SSSN, with technical support from the SADC Seed Committee (SSC) and National Plant Protection Organizations (NPPOs), will be responsible for the following:

assisting Member States with documentation of current Measures and their impacts on seed exchange

facilitating the organization of technical reviews to develop better standards and procedures and

to secure that new initiatives are in line with regional and international agreements;

design and support efforts that will secure political support to rationalize and harmonize regulations

Organisation (2)

assist in establishment of databases to record current national regulations and key documents, issuance of permits (including seed quantities involved), critical issues, and disputes

keep Member States informed via the SADC-FANR Website and through other means and

assist in sourcing funding to support the above activities.

 

Organisation (3)The PMU will seek close collaboration with the

NPPOs and support the organization of regional meetings to address:

Development and updating of Phytosanitary guidelines and procedures for seed

Identification and recommendation of better methodologies for utilization in the Phytosanitary system(s) for seed and

Development of methods to monitor and provide

technical backstopping to the established system(s).

Rationalized pest listsTwo rationalized pest lists have been introduced

(i) A SADC list of pests which require control when there is seed trade between SADC Member states, and

(ii) a SADC list of pests which require control when there is seed trade into a SADC country from outside the Region

The lists only include: pests which are of economic significance, are not common in the SADC Region and are seed borne

Advantages of the rationalised Pest List

Testing and quarantine measures for seed are only required for diseases which are not common in all SADC Member States, are seed borne, and are of economic importance;

Since all SADC Member States are testing for the same diseases, re-testing of seed consignments on arrival in the importing country may be reduced and eventually no longer be necessary - except in cases where there are concrete reasons to assume that a new pest and/or disease may be introduced;

Advantages of the rationalised Pest List (2)

The need for a country to test seed which is to be re-exported after a period in transit may be reduced; and

Since fewer pests will need to be checked at entry points, clearance and entry of consignments will be faster.

For seed movement from a country outside SADC to a SADC when it has been established by the importing SADC country that the consignment meets SADC requirements then the seed can be moved to any other SADC country without further testing.

EquivalencyMember States are encouraged: to recognize that an alternative level of protection

or risk reduction may be obtained by applying alternative methods to control quarantine pests.

This will be through the use of alternative methods that are declared and technically and economically feasible for use as long

as it provides the same level of protection against pests.

To promote trade and speedy movement of seeds within SADC

use of mutually recognized alternative measures should be encouraged and in line with the provisions of the SPS Agreement

Phytosanitary documentation and procedures

Seed lots moving in the Region and in international trade must be accompanied by

appropriate documentation which serves to certify that the seed lot complies with

Phytosanitary requirements. Key documents are the following:

Plant Import Permit: Must be issued by the importing country authorising the

importation of seeds in accordance with specified Phytosanitary requirements. The

Permit must accompany the seed lot and be presented to inspectors at exit and entry

points. 

Phytosanitary Certificate: Is issued by the exporting country and serves to certify that

requirements specified on the Import Permit have been met. The Phytosanitary

Certificate must therefore also be presented to the inspectors at exit and entry points. 

Phytosanitary documentation and procedures (2) Non-compliance Notification: Is issued by the importing country and

forwarded to the NPPO of the exporting country in the case where

consignments of seeds, and/or the accompanying Phytosanitary

Certificates, do not comply with the conditions set in the Plant Import

Permit, and/or where a quarantine pest has been intercepted.

Re-export Phytosanitary Certificate: The need for this document occurs

when a consignment of seeds, arriving from the export country, is being

stored and/or repacked by the importing country under circumstances

which may expose the consignment to infestation or infection before re-

export to a third country – or if the consignment stayed longer in the

transit country than determined by the NPPO. The Certificate is issued by

the Country where the seeds was in transit and is attached to the

Phytosanitary Certificate issued by the exporting country.

Format for Permits and Certificates

Member States will adopt common formats for the various

certificates and other documents and ensure that the

certificates provide the necessary information. The 3

documents, which are designed in line with such

requirements, are :

Plant Import Permit

Phytosanitary Certificate

Re-Export Phytosanitary Certificate

Where these forms are not yet being used, the PMU will

assist as required with their introduction.

Overview of Quarantine and Phytosanitary measures for seed legislation and process in Zimbabwe

Phytosanitary Regulations and Standards

Plant Pests And Diseases Act Chapter 19:08

Regulatory powers to inspect, disinfect and eradicate

pests and disease on behalf of the Minister of Agriculture

Zimbabwe is a signatory to the World Trade Organization’s

Agreement on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (WTO-

SPS)

Although not yet a contracting member to the FAO-

International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) it follows

International Standards of Phytosanitary Measures (ISPMs)

Seed Imports Procedure To import seed into Zimbabwe, an Import Permit is to be

applied for prior to movement of seed by the importer so

as to get details of conditions of importation

The Zimbabwe NPPO issues Import Permit only after

having seen the following documentation:

documentation from Seed Services Department in

the way of application form allowing for importation

of the seed.

Application form format

Seed Services Application form

Seed Imports Procedure (2) At the discretion of the Head of the NPPO a pre-shipment inspection

may be requested for prior to processing of the Import Permit

The cost of the pre-shipment inspection is borne by the importer

(Private Sector) in the form of inspection fees and transport and

accommodation for the Plant Health Inspector at gazetted

government rates of per diem

For seed meant for humanitarian aid or donations Government

bears the costs

Upon analysis of results from sampled seed and satisfaction of no

risk posed of importing the seed he Import Permit is issued to the

importer who sends to the exporter for use to apply to export seed.

Import permit

Seed Imports Procedure (3) Seed should follow seed export procedures (Seed

Health and Control aspects) for the NPPO of the

country from which seed is coming from.

Consignments of seed are to be accompanied by a

Phytosanitary Certificate on a Government prescribed

form from the NPPO of the country from which seed is

coming from.

Form to have been completed by the Plant Health

Inspector indicating certification of conditions

required by importing country ( Zimbabwe).

Seed Export Procedure

Export of seed begins with the potential

exporter applying Phytosanitary Field

Inspection

The Field Inspections Conducted during

active growth stages of seed crop

Phytosanitary Field Inspection Report filed

and copy submitted to potential exporter

Seed Export Procedure (2)Exporter makes an Export Application and

brings samples of seed to be exportedPhytosanitary Field Inspection Report of seed

to be exported Import permit from country where seed

intends to be exportedExport permit (Control of goods Act) from the

Economics and Markets Department in the Ministry of Agriculture

Export Permit

Seed Export Procedure (2)

Decision to do seed health /seed testing is made

Seed health test results used to make

recommendations for export

Recommendation may be in the form of:

Seed treatment prior to export

Export non-approval

Phytosanitary certificate issued

Phytosanitary Certificate

Inconsistencies between SADC protocol vs National Legislation and Practice

What should be done to align national Legislation and procedures to the SADC protocol

Stakeholder involvement to achieve alignment

Field inspection during active growth of seed crops

-SADC protocol to include harmonised procedures on field inspection of seed crops

Regional Quarantine and Phytosanitary Officers, Seed growers and Companies

Pre-shipment inspection of important seed crops - mainly due to stored product pests which in Zimbabwe are restricted to some areas and still under management

-Harmonised pest lists should also consider the risk of spread of arthropods pests through seed trade

-If there is a harmonised procedure of inspection and requirements for seed prior to export then within SADC, pre-shipment inspection may not be necessary within SADC

Documentation (Re-export permit) NPPO of Zimbabwe does not have a set out re-export permit. The ordinary export permit is used and labelled Re-export

-need to standardise infrastructure, human capacity and to check up on uniformity of testing methods

GM-free certification Harmonisation

Thank you for Your Attetion