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PAN-SPSO Programme

The PAN-SPSO (Participation of African Nations in Sanitary and Phytosanitary Standard Setting Organizations) Programme, largely financed by the European Commission (EC), and implemented by the African Union Inter-African Bureau for Animal Resources (AU/IBAR) in collaboration with the African Union Inter-African Phytosanitary Council (AU/IAPSC) and seven regional economic communities (RECs) in Africa1, seeks to facilitate effective involvement of African countries in the activities of the OIE, IPPC, Codex and the WTO-SPS Committee.  To find out more, see the AU-IBAR web site.

STDF collaborates with the PAN-SPSO Programme

The STDF participates in the programme as a technical and strategic partner, and would assist AU/IBAR in the implementation of three specific activities:

  • Organization of SPS seminars (train-the-trainers approach)

 

Two seminars for relevant officials of the seven regional economic communities (RECs) as well as a number of selected African SPS experts were organized in Nairobi (13-16 July) and Bamako (20-23 July).  Trainers from the WTO, STDF, Codex, OIE and IPPC Secretariats provided the participants with training materials and guidance to provide SPS-related training to others.

A similar additional training event is being planned in 2011.

Complete training packages (in  English and French) were developed with material from the WTO, STDF, OIE, IPPC and Codex Secretariats.

  • Scoping study and analysis of existing SPS regional/national coordination mechanisms

 

The study will analyze the terms of reference, mandate and membership of existing coordination mechanisms - and develop a set of guidelines/ recommendations on the feasibility and modalities available to further establish such mechanisms in Africa - both at the regional and national level.

  • Facilitation of observer status of the regional economic communities (RECs) in meetings of the WTO SPS Committee, Codex, OIE and IPPC

 

A document outlining the requirements and procedures for observer status was provided to AU/IBAR for onward dissemination to the RECs.  In March 2010, ad hoc observer status was granted by the WTO SPS Committee to three African regional economic commissions (Economic Commission of West African States - ECOWAS, Community of Sahel Saharan States - CEN-SAD and Southern African Development Commission - SADC).

 

1 The Community of Sahel-Saharan States (CEN-SAD), the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), the East African Community (EAC), the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS), the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD), and the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC).

 

 

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Site Last Updated on April, 2010