11th session of the Caribbean Plant Protection Commission
(Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, 2001-11-19/23
13 member countries of the CPPC (Barbados, Cuba, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, St Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, Venezuela) and 3 Caribbean non-CPPC countries (Antigua and Barbuda, Belize, St Vincent) were represented at the meeting. International institutions working in the region were also represented: Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA), Caribbean community (CARICOM - an economic community of some 15 countries of the Caribbean region), CABI Bioscience, EU/CARIFORUM, CARDI, CARINET, Caribbean Regional Negotiating Machinery, University of the West Indies). FAO and the IPPC Secretariat were represented by Messrs Gene Pollard (CPPC technical secretary, from the FAO sub-regional office for the Caribbean), Niek van der Graaf and Jeffrey Jones.
The 10th session had taken place in 1993. The 11th session reviewed the international environment (WTO/SPS agreement, IPPC, CBD, ISPMs, regional standardization), which had much evolved since the last session, and the strengthening of phytosanitary capabilities in the Caribbean region. Countries individually reported on acceptance of the IPPC, participation in the preparation of ISPMs, implementation of ISPMs and its constraints, membership of RPPOs, recent pest introductions and their impact.
The main discussion topic related to the future of the CPPC and the possible creation of an independent regional organization, the Caribbean Agricultural Health and Food Safety Agency (CAHFSA) to promote a regional approach to food safety, plant health and animal health, which might in due course replace the CPPC. The Committee recognized that such a regional organization was essential for countries to be able to take part in international discussions (including IPPC standard-setting activities) and to fulfil their obligations under international agreements, both activities being currently limited by the lack of resources in individual countries. A preliminary study prepared by IICA in collaboration with the CARICOM Secretariat and FAO was discussed. The Commission made plans for further consultation of possible member countries in the region (i.e. all Caribbean countries, and not only CARICOM members) on this project in the coming months, as well as the development of a draft international agreement which could be used to establish CAHFSA. This would be coordinated by the CARICOM Secretariat, in collaboration with FAO, IICA and PAHO/WHO.
Recognizing that establishment of CAHFSA would need further discussions, the Commission recommended that FAO should in the immediate future support the establishment of CAHFSA, maintain the CPPC secretary and organize a 12th session of CPPC in mid-2003.
EPPO is glad to have been invited to take part in this important session of its sister organization for the Caribbean region, and to have the opportunity to contribute by presenting its regional standard-setting activities.
Port of Spain
