by A. Sakala Quarantine and Phytosanitary Services Zambia

1. SAFRINET & The International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) SADC by A. Sakala Quarantine and Phytosanitary Services Zambia

2. SAFRINET The Southern African network of BioNET-International building taxonomic capacity through regional networks BioNET’s purpose: SAFRINET is the Southern African Regional Network of BioNET-International and An official SADC project, in the Directorate for Food, Agriculture and Natural Resources (FANR)

3. Why is taxonomy important? Taxonomy is: • Naming of organism • Classification of organism groups • Documenting natural history; food, • hosts, parasites, biogeography, etc. Important for: • Recognizing species, quarantine pests • Communication / reporting to importer • Accessing information, handling procedures • Predicting behaviour, • Recognizing potentially problematic species All these are important for phytosanitary services

4. SAFRINET’s operational strategy To focus initially on a: • Specific user group = phytosanitary services & digital information • Specific need = identify quarantine organisms • To take a new approaches in: • Enabling quarantine staff to identify organisms • Develop new tools = computer aided • To be a regional node for national & international initiatives; Discover Life, GBIF, ETI, etc.

5. SAFRINET: Phytosanitary services • Achievements: • SAFRINET Co-ordinating Committee approval • SADC phytosanitary services support • FANR Directorate endorsement • Partners in digital tools: ETI, DAISY, Discover Life, EcoPort, ABIS • Working with international organizations: IPPC, USGS • FANR core funding & competitive fund

6. SAFRINET: Phytosanitary services ctd. • What next: • Raise funds • Decide on priority products • Decide on priority organisms on product • Choose best electronic tools • Acquire expertise to develop the tools • Train users • Implement new system

7. Why this approach The formation of a hub • Invasive species are a global problem • SADC does not have the technical expertise of the developed world, but can be a partner for our mutual benefit

8. Why this approach The use of electronic tools • Adequate taxonomic expertise is unlikely to ever be available at each, or even most, quarantine stations • The use of electronic tools requires minimal training • Standard tools will give standardized results, access to one information source, approved handling procedures measures and standardized reporting

9. Current Initiatives • SADC is reviewing the current phytosanitary regulations in order to facilitate local trade • Widespread pests in the region are being removed • Harmonized import and export documents • Conducted PRA’s should be SADC wide • Hasten market access and facilitate trade

10. Challenge • Having reviewed the current pest lists, SADC will have to look at the A1 pests for the region • Identification capabilities of quarantine pests may not lay in the region. • This will entail capacity building for the region including computer based identification keys.

11. Conclusions • A SAFRINET, IPPC and technology developers partnerships • SAFRINET trains phytosanitary services inspectors in organism identification • The most practical solution is to use electronic technology • The tools need to be developed (technology exists) • The tools require international recognition • Use SAFRINET for a pilot project for getting global acceptance • IPPC framework used for: • Setting standards • Ensure that the tools are recognized by importers • Promote this approach • Technology developers • Ensure adequate, reliable tools • Indication that USDA-APHIS will support this Hub

12. Acknowledgements: Congress organizers: German Government and IPPC Zambia Phytosanitary services ARC-PPRI Supporters of SAFRINET

13. Thank you