April 2022 – The Plant Quarantine and Phytosanitary Service

27 Apr 22

CPM -16 Establishes A POARS Steering Group, Making Significant Progress On Fighting Pest Outbreaks

Paul Mayaka

Posted on Fri, 22 Apr 2022, 14:33 Rome, 21 April 2022. Emerging pests and specifically Spodoptera frugiperda (Fall armyworm) and Fusarium TR4 are among the major threats to global food security, plant health and livelihoods. Since the fourteenth session of Commission on Phytosanitary Measures (CPM) in 2019 when the concept of emerging pests was discussed, significant progress has been made on understanding how the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) Community could develop and strengthen global Pest Outbreak Alert and Response Systems (POARS). During CPM-16, a report on the activities of the CPM Focus Group on POARS, established in late 2020 by the CPM Bureau on behalf of the CPM, was presented by the Focus Group’s chairperson, Mireille Marcotte from Canada. The Focus Group report includes a set of recommendations for the CPM to consider regarding the development, implementation and maintenance of a global Pest Outbreak Alert and Response System (POARS) coordinated by the Secretariat. A number of contracting parties commended the efforts and progress so far, thanking the focus group for the significant efforts made on investigating how global pest response systems can be efficiently set. The proposals from the focus group generated a lengthy discussion among contracting parties, including a proposal for a new CPM subsidiary body, the POARS Committee. With the proposal of a new subsidiary body deemed to be ultimately too costly, some contracting parties showed support for the establishment of an interim steering group. With respect to the development of the global POARS itself, the CPM noted that any global system would need to be aligned with regional systems and that alternative options to the model proposed could include addressing the scope of POARS through FAO regions and RPPOs. Given a wide range of views on the proposed governance model and the development of the global POARS itself, a Friends of the Chair meeting resulted in revisions to the recommendations for CPM decision and to the draft terms of reference for the POARS steering group. Following the Friends of the Chair meeting, CPM-16 agreed as an interim measure to establish a POARS Steering Group to work on establishing a POARS capability, to revise the POARS Steering Group Terms of Reference to reflect the discussions of the CPM and to be submitted to the CPM Bureau for approval and requested that the secretariat open a call for experts once the bureau has given its approval. CPM-16 also requested that the Finance Committee consider how to allocate an appropriate level of resources to continue the work on POARS during 2022 and encouraged CPs to contribute extra-budgetary resources to help fund the POARS workplan. When presenting the Secretariat on emerging pests, namely on Spodoptera frugiperda (Fall armyworm) and Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. cubense Tropical race 4 (Fusarium TR4 also known as Banana Fusarium Wilt), contracting parties supported these activities and suggested other pests to be considered. Sarah Brunel, Officer in Charge for Implementation Facilitation Unit – daily matters, indicated “these proposals on other pests will be made to the POARS Steering Group, once it is established, to be considered for inclusion in IPPC Secretariat activities on emerging pests, as a framework now exists for such proposals”. Related information: Workshop Series: Fusarium TR4 Diagnostic, Surveillance, Inspection and Simulation Exercises

26 Apr 22

FORTHCOMING TRAINING WORKSHOP FOR FUMIGATION TREATMENT AND WOOD PACKAGING MATERIAL TREATMENT SCHEDULED FOR THE 17th – 19th OF MAY, 2022.

Paul Mayaka

Greetings To All Stakeholders. Just to remind everyone that the training workshop for Fumigation Treatment & Wood Packaging Material Treatment (WPM) will be taking place from the 17th – 19th of May, 2022. You will do well to start confirming participation. For more details refer to the attached Letter Below; http://www.pqps.gov.zm/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/DIRECTOR-TO-CB-STAKEHOLDERS-WPM-FUMIGATION-TRAINING.pdf

19 Apr 22

MASS EXPORTATION OF AVOCADO

Paul Mayaka

Zambia has started mass export of Avocado fruits to European. The first consignment of over 37 metric tons of avocados comes after the country successfully met Phytosanitary requirements to export the fruit to countries in the EU. And Ministry of Agriculture Permanent Secretary GREEN MBOZI says the move marks the beginning of huge market opportunities for Zambian Avocado growers. Meanwhile, Ministry of Agriculture Plant Quarantine and Phytosanitary Services Director KENNETH MSISKA has revealed that Zambia is almost concluding with authorities in South Africa to start exporting Avocados to that country. Meanwhile PIERRE VERCUEIL from Kabwe’s Buttermere Farms who is among the exporters says the exported Avocados are the first round being exported from the Farm started 11 years ago.

13 Apr 22

IITA calls for the use of technology in the fight against fall armyworm

Paul Mayaka

International Institute of Tropical Agriculture IITA has welcomed members of the public to make use their premises in search for technology in fight against Fall Armyworm. Speaking during the field day on fall armyworm control organised by Syngenta, in CHONGWE, IITA Southern Africa Director DAVID CHIKOYE says IITA is a public organisation that offers free international agricultural extension services. And chief Agriculture Research Officer under the Zambia Agriculture Research Institute ZARI, Dr Patrick Chikotihascommended IITA and Syngenta for developing technologies which is help the small scale farmers against crop losses. IITA calls for the use of technology in the fight against fall armyworm – Ministry of Agriculture

12 Apr 22

CPM approves transition of Implementation Review and Support System to the IPPC Observatory

Paul Mayaka

Posted on Tue, 12 Apr 2022, 08:07 Rome, 12 April 2022. The Commission on Phytosanitary Measures (CPM) has approved the transition of the International Plant Protection Convention’s (IPPC’s) Implementation Review and Support System (IRSS) to the IPPC Observatory, during the CPM-16 meeting that is taking place virtually on 5,7, 21 April 2022. The IPPC Observatory will be a sustainably funded system aimed at improving contracting parties’ implementation of the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC), the International Standards of Phytosanitary Measures (ISPMs) and CPM recommendations. The IRSS was initially established to verify contracting parties’ compliance with the IPPC and to gauge uptake of the ISPMs. Adopted at the third CPM session in 2008, the IRSS was designed to identify gaps in implementation and address them through assistance and facilitation. The IRSS programme has been implemented by the IPPC Secretariate on a project cycle basis since 2011 and funded mainly by the European Commission. The current third cycle funding ends in May 2022. In October 2020, the IPPC Implementation and Capacity Development Committee (IC) proposed options to move IRSS from a project-driven activity to a system integrated within the IPPC Secretariat. The proposal was for the IPPC Observatory to have multiple funding sources, a clearer purpose, a long-term vision, and work and communications plans that are not necessarily tied to a project life cycle. The move thus signals a name change and a new identity so that contracting parties can be better informed on how they can benefit and contribute to the work of the IPPC Observatory. The transition allows the IPPC Observatory to have a more focused scope. It will continue to monitor implementation, identify challenges, and best practices, and provide recommendations to the CPM to address implementation issues. The IPPC Observatory will, however, relinquish IRSS’s previous support function. With an allocated base funding from the IPPC Secretariat and with dedicated full-time staff, the IPPC Observatory will function better under the IPPC Secretariat while being guided by the IC Sub-group. A three-year work plan, a resource mobilization plan and a communications strategy adapted to target audiences will be in place to guide the IPPC Observatory’s work. “We are very pleased that the CPM has approved the IC’s recommendations for the IRSS to transition to the IPPC Observatory,” said Sarah Brunel, IPPC Implementation and Facilitation Unit Officer-in-Charge of daily matters. “Contracting parties can expect a more efficient and harmonized mechanism for monitoring the implementation of standards and CPM recommendations every 3-5 years. Through a streamlined process, contracting parties will also be able to submit new topics on which the IPPC Observatory can conduct in-depth studies. “Under the IPPC Observatory, survey designs will be improved and data collection will be streamlined. Results of surveys and studies, including best practices and key messages will be communicated in a timely manner so that contracting parties can use the information to develop or adjust their national phytosanitary plans. The results of surveys will thus be more readily available to help improve implementation of the Convention, its standards and CPM recommendations,” Sarah Brunel added. The IPPC Observatory will be guided by core principles including transparency, impartiality and independence, work plan-driven and based on set terms of reference, and espouse continuous improvement based on feedback. In addition, the IPPC Observatory will contribute to measure the achievements and realization of the objectives in the IPPC Strategic Framework 2020-2030 by collecting baseline data and through ongoing monitoring. The CPM Bureau further approved the proposal for the IPPC Secretariat to enable the effective operationalization of the IPPC Observatory and encouraged contracting parties to contribute to its funding. CPM approves transition of Implementation Review and Support System to the IPPC Observatory – International Plant Protection Convention

April 11, 2022
Nocholas Mwambazi

By DORCAS KABUYA CHAABA PEST and disease outbreaks can be devastating to farmers especially in Sub-Saharan Africa were the majority of people depend on agriculture for food, nutritional and income security thereby hampering the attainment of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) number 1 and 2. In the recent past, countries like Angola, Botswana, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe were affected by the African Migratory Red Locusts were millions of dollars were spent in an effort to combat the outbreak through purchase of pesticides and aerial spraying. The African Migratory Red Locusts are said to breed faster in conditions of drought followed by rain and rapid vegetation growth. This goes without saying that pest outbreaks are becoming increasingly unpredictable due to climate change, as such farmers need pest information services if they are to break even in their agricultural ventures and take appropriate action. To address these plant health challenges which come with change in climate, the Ministry of Agriculture working with the Centre for Agriculture and Bioscience International (CABI), has been implementing the Pest Risk Information Service (PRISE) project, through sending pest alert messages to farmers. Department of Agriculture Director, Moses Mwale, notes that crop loss through pests currently stands at around 40 percent stating that the PRISE programme complemented government’s extension service delivery. Mr Mwale stated that the Ministry of Agriculture through its departments will continue providing all the necessary support in implementing the PRISE project so that farmers can carry out timely pest management measures. “Increasing the resilience of smallholder farmers to pest outbreaks is noble, Pests can decimate crops and are estimated to cause around 40 percent loss and impede food supply chains and safe international trade in plant and plant products,” Mr Mwale added. He further said the project acts as an early warning system for farmers by sending pest alert of selected pests, noting that the gesture was commendable especially in the era of climate change and variability when pests are frequent. “I encourage partners to continue the work and most of all to include more pests that occur in Zambia such as the Fall Armyworm (FAW) and Red Locusts, which can be quite devastating to crops,” Mr Mwale appealed. Mr Mwale said this during the PRISE stakeholders meeting to map the wayforward on the sustainability of the project. The PRISE project is meant to develop early warning system to help cut crop losses resulting from pests using cutting-edge space infrastructure, Earth observation data and state-of- the-art modelling techniques. CABI Southern Africa Regional Representative, Noah Phiri noted that the PRISE project is operating using another CABI led project called Plantwise, a programme that tackle pests and their associated crop losses. Dr Phiri noted that the project is meant to determine how extreme weather patterns can affect farmers and providing the appropriate remedial measures. “Farming is the only source of livelihood for the majority of the people living in different parts of Zambia. However, insect pests and diseases pose a huge economic challenges, as they apart from feeding on the crops and contributing to quantity losses, also create the entry point for fungal diseases,” he explained. Dr Phiri recognised the extension officers for their instrumental role in disseminating the pest alert messages to the farmers. “The pest alert messages were not only Plant Doctors but other extension staff not covered under the Plantwise project including Policy Makers through the Zambia Integrated Agriculture Management Information System (ZIAMIS) platform,” he narrated. Chibombo District Crops Officer, Tiwonge Mihova, noted that with the PRISE project, farmers are informed while in advance of a looming pest outbreak and seek advice from their local extension officer and are able to prepare. Ms Mihova noted extension officers not only disseminate pest alerts to farmers but also encourage the farmers to follow the best agronomic practices which inhibit pest infestation. Meanwhile, Obby Nkani, a beneficiary farmer from Kapiri Mposhi District, commended the implementers of the project in helping farmers mitigate crop loss through pests. “This programme will benefit a lot of farmers as they are made aware of the kind of pests to expect in the farming season, in this way more pests’ information will be covered and shared,” he stated. Farmers who receive adequate and timely pest information are in a position to control and take preventive measures thereby contributing increasing crop production and productivity. In attendance were representatives from National Association for Smallholder Farmers in Zambia (NASFAZ), Smart Zambia, Conservation Farming Unit (CFU), Self Help Africa (SHA), Zambia Agriculture Research Institute (ZARI), Plant Quarantine and Phytosanitary Services (PQPS), Department of Agriculture (both Headquarters and district staff). Others were Zambia Environmental Management Agency (ZEMA), Agricultural lecturers from The University of Zambia School of Agriculture and Natural Resources Development College (NRDC), Zambia Meteorological Department (ZMD) –NAIS

10 Apr 22

Let’s Talk About…IPPC Phytosanitary Treatments The International Phytosanitary Community Adopts 5 New Phytosanitary Treatments

Paul Mayaka

Posted on Fri, 08 Apr 2022, 15:59 Rome, 8 April 2022. The 16th Session of the Commission on Phytosanitary Measures (CPM) adopted on Tuesday, 5 April 2022 five new phytosanitary treatments (Annexes to ISPM 28) to broaden the pest management options countries may use to mitigate the risk and support safe trade. The IPPC Strategic Framework refers to the development of commodity- and pathway-specific standards. One of its recommendations is to intensify activities relating to the adoption of new phytosanitary treatments. One way to cover more commodities for larger groups of pests is to develop more generic treatments that have a broader scope than treatments for singular pests. Phytosanitary treatments are developed by the Technical Panel on Phytosanitary Treatments (TPPT), a group of experts in treatment research who are delegated by their countries to review submitted treatment proposals and the associated research, striving to develop the best quality, scientifically sound phytosanitary treatments. The criteria for a new phytosanitary treatment is laid out in ISPM 28. The TPPT worked to develop a method that considers the efficacy of the treatment against the most tolerant species of a pest group to establish the efficacy of the treatment of the pest group. There are already adopted annexes to ISPM 28 for larger insect groups, and now the irradiation treatment for the Tortricidae genus (a family of moths) on fruits is the next step in this direction. As David Opatowski, the Standard Committee Steward of the TPPT remarked, “The broadened scope of the phytosanitary treatments is hoped to offer a wider selection of pest management options to contracting parties and thus facilitate market access and safe trade.” Countries are welcome and encouraged to propose new topics for phytosanitary treatments through an ongoing, open call. Submissions should include research supporting the efficacy of the treatment. The following new phytosanitary treatments were adopted by the CPM-16 (available here as CPM 2022/24_05, 06, 07, 08, 09). They will be posted soon on the adopted standards page: 1. PT 40 (Irradiation treatment for Tortricidae on fruits) (2017-011) as Annex 40 to ISPM 28 (Phytosanitary treatments for regulated pests) 2. PT 41 (Cold treatment for Bactrocera zonata on Citrus sinensis) (2017-013) as Annex 41 to ISPM 28 (Phytosanitary treatments for regulated pests) 3. PT 42 (Irradiation treatment for Zeugodacus tau or fruit fly) (2017-025) as Annex 42 to ISPM 28 (Phytosanitary treatments for regulated pests) 4. PT 43 (Irradiation treatment for Sternochetus frigidus) (2017-036) as Annex 43 to ISPM 28 (Phytosanitary treatments for regulated pests) 5. PT 44 (Vapour heat–modified atmosphere treatment for Cydia pomonella and Grapholita molesta on Malus pumila and Prunus persica) (2017-037 and 2017-038) as Annex 44 to ISPM 28 (Phytosanitary treatments for regulated pests The CPM also agreed to the recommendation made by the Standards Committee to expedite the development of phytosanitary treatments. They adopted the adjusted Standard Setting Procedure that allows recommending phytosanitary treatments for adoption after only one consultation in cases where there are no significant issues raised, and no significant amendments to the text during the first consultation period. Relevant links Technical Panel on Phytosanitary Treatments (TPPT) https://www.ippc.int/en/core-activities/standards-setting/expert-drafting-groups/technical-panels/technical-panel-phytosanitary-treatments/ Phytosanitary treatments on-going call https://www.ippc.int/en/core-activities/standards-setting/calls-treatments/ Adopted Standards page: https://www.ippc.int/en/core-activities/standards-setting/ispms/Standards Committee recommendations to the CPM – Adjustments to the Standard Setting Process to facilitate the development of phytosanitary treatments https://www.ippc.int/en/publications/90672/

Month: April 2022