The Electronic (Sanitary and Phytosanitary) SPS Certification

May be an image of 1 person, poster, office and text

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dr. Diandra Payne

The Electronic (Sanitary and Phytosanitary) SPS Certification workshop bearing the theme “Learning from past experiences and exploring new approaches” was hosted by Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) in San Jose, Costa Rica during 25th to 27th July. The objective of this two and a half-day event brought together experts from 34 IICA Member States to provide a platform to exchange lessons learned on electronic SPS certificates and to discuss ways to pilot test a regional approach for the exchange of electronic veterinary certificates. Attending on behalf of Antigua and Barbuda was Dr. Diandra Payne, Veterinary Officer within the Ministry of Agriculture.

The event had a two-fold structure which consisted of plenary sessions during which presentations were done by international organizations like Codex, WOAH, IPPC and STDF in addition with experiences shared by countries such as Chile, USA and Jamaica.  The other session consisted of breakout groups to maximize the benefits of in-person interactions.  Resulting from this forum, an outcome document was produced that presented the different points discussed during the plenary sessions.

Currently there are over 15 countries in the region exchanging electronic SPS certificates through the ePhyto Hub while some are in the testing phase to begin exchanging.  The ePhyto Hub is a centralized exchange system for ePhytos that can be used by all connected national plant protection organizations (NPPOs). Implementation of the use of ePhyto Hub provides useful lessons for countries within the region and beyond.

Similarly, IICA is exploring the possibility of developing a project to pilot test a regional approach for the exchange of electronic veterinary certificates (eVets).  Although ephytos have grown over the last few years within the IICA member states unfortunately (eVets) are less widespread within these countries.  However, the process may require reforming legislation, modernizing infrastructure and shifting mind-sets to implement change.

Once the eVets are properly developed and implemented it is expected that transferring and relocating of animals would become relatively simplistic.  “It was a very enlightening program. It has exposed where we are and where we need to be especially if we don’t want to be left behind when it comes to moving with the “times” to produce paperless SPS certification”, according to Dr. Payne.