CARIFORUM Region one step closer to attaining Model Legislation in Agricultural Health and Food Safety
(Bridgetown, Barbados - 2 June, 2016) – Agricultural Health and Food Safety (AHFS) legislation in CARIFORUM countries is set to become compliant with international regulations, thanks to the collaborative work of the European Union (EU), the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA), the CARICOM Secretariat and several partner agencies.
Representatives from CARIFORUM States met at a Legislative Validation Workshop Session, to conduct a review of draft model bills in the areas of animal health, plant health and food safety. The bills were drafted by regional and international consultants and reviewed by experts from the World Animal Health Organization (OIE) as well as other technical experts from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) prior to the Session, which took place 1-3 June in Barbados.
The development of model legislation in Agricultural Health and Food Safety (AHFS) for the CARIFORUM Region is one activity being funded under the European Union’s 10th European Development Fund (EDF) for the Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (SPS) Project, which is being implemented by IICA.
Ms Carol Thomas, Technical Lead for the SPS Project, explained that all countries must comply with SPS Measures in order to successfully export their products to international markets. SPS Measures, she said, are applied to protect human, animal, plant health and life from risks arising from pests, diseases or disease-causing organisms and from contaminants and food-borne illnesses.
Assistant General Counsel of the CARICOM Secretariat, Mr George Kirnon, acknowledged that “the current lack of compliance with international SPS regulations in CARIFORUM represents one of the most significant barriers to the achievement of market access of food and food products originating from the Region. Internationally compliant legislation in Agricultural Health and Food Safety is expected to significantly aid in enhancing the investment climate and economic potential of the Region”, he remarked, in statements made at the Session.
Ms Silvia Kofler, Head of the Political, Trade Policy, Press and Information Section of the Barbados Delegation of the European Union, reiterated the EU’s commitment to the continued development of the CARIFORUM Region, saying that “the SPS Project is maximising the potential of the seven year old Economic Partnership Agreement made between the EU and CARIFORUM, by working to strengthen the CARIFORUM Region’s potential as a fully-fledged trade partner for the EU”. She added that in addition to increasing exports to the EU, the Project is also targeted at increasing trade within the CARIFORUM Region.
Following the workshop, the consultants will incorporate the revisions made by the participants and the model bills will be submitted to CARICOM for review and endorsement by Member States.
For additional information, please contact alicia.lynch@iica.int