BB 2011-08-15 Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures-Part23

Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures

Part 23

National SPS Capacity

The SPS capacity of a country is its ability to maintain and enhance human, animal and plant life and health by identifying, evaluating and controlling pest and disease risks and ensuring the safety of the food supply by means of sanitary and phytosanitary measures.

Elements of SPS capacity

Two perspectives on SPS capacity:
- Infrastructure. The legal, administrative, technical, financial, human and other resources and mechanisms needed to achieve SPS objectives.
- Processes. The activities that must be carried out to achieve and improve sanitary and phytosanitary control.

The elements of SPS capacity include:
- national policies, strategies and action plans
- primary and subordinate legislation
- institutional framework
- standards and technical requirements
- risk analysis capability
- systems and methods for inspection and - certification
- monitoring and surveillance systems
- laboratory capacity
- quarantine and treatment facilities
- auditing and compliance systems
- trained staff and competent management
- research capability
- funding mechanisms
- stakeholder consultation mechanisms
- engagement with relevant international organizations

Significance of SPS capacity

National SPS capacity is crucial in sustaining public health, maintaining agricultural productivity, enhancing export opportunities, protecting the environment and underpinning international tourism.

SPS capacity in developing countries is typically incomplete, thinly spread, and under-resourced.

Membership of the WTO brings with it additional SPS obligations potentially more significant in medium to longer term.

SPS issues cut across:
- many economic activities (agriculture; food processing, storage, distribution, handling and retailing; exporting and importing; tourism).
- significant government responsibilities for public goods such as public health and environmental protection.

Many government portfolios and agencies are necessarily involved in SPS issues.

The mandate of each agency in respect of SPS matters must be clearly defined and, so far as possible, distinct from the mandate of all other agencies that are involved.

Assessing SPS capacity

Tools for systematically assessing capacity have been developed and implemented
- for plant health (by ICPM)
- for food safety (by FAO/Codex)
- for animal health (by OIE)

The appropriate tool for evaluating food safety capability is the FAO’s Strengthening national food control systems; Guidelines to assess capacity building needs.

The OIE has produced the document Performance, Vision and Strategy (PVS):A Tool for Veterinary Services.

The Phytosanitary Capacity Evaluation (PCE) Tool has been developed to assist countries to undertake a needs assessment of the phytosanitary system of the National Plant Protection Organization (NPPO). The questions, where possible, are based on relevant International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures (ISPMs).

Advantages of capacity assessment

When needs have been identified, priorities can be determined.

When priorities have been determined, a plan can be made for systematic enhancement of national SPS capacity.

The elements of the plan can be detailed as specific projects for funding.

Donors are seeking good projects to fund.

Prioritisation

Priorities should be determined at the national level, and then within the agencies responsible for sanitary/phytosanitary control.

Priority should go to projects with the best ratio of benefits to costs.

Benefits and costs need to be considered within a suitable time frame neither too short nor too long.

Projects

Priorities have to be implemented by means of projects.
Well-designed projects are more likely to attract international funding.

Project designs should include:
- linkage to the national plan
- clear objectives and description of activities
- detailed, credible costing
- milestones and progress reports
- post-implementation evaluation

Export Impact For Good

BB 2011-08-15 Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures-Part23

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