SPS training to benefit the nation

By VonDez Phipps
Reporter-SKNVibes.com

OAS Director for St. Kitts & Nevis,Starrett Greene

BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – TWO locals who represented St. Kitts and Nevis at an Organisation of American States-sponsored workshop for OECS countries on ‘Managing a Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) System’ are expected to use their training to encourage the programme’s implementation in the Federation.

Joseph O’Flaherty, a farmer and St. Clair Percy Williams, Plant Quarantine Officer in the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries  benefited from the two-day workshop held in St. Lucia, which was primarily geared toward strengthening the official sanitary system of agricultural goods for export markets in CARICOM member states.

The workshop started on October 27 and provided the opportunity for OECS representatives to address their main interests and concerns regarding their SPS regimes and to provide substantive inputs on issues concerning Border Phytosanitary Inspection and Certification as well as Sanitary and Phytosanitary Diagnosis, in relation to their system of official and accredited laboratories. Additionally, attending private sector representatives were provided with the opportunity to discuss concrete cases where they have encountered difficulties in export markets related to SPS issues.

Starrett Greene, OAS Representative in St. Kitts-Nevis, explained that the project also allowed for experts from the Chilean Agricultural and Livestock Service to share their experiences with their colleagues from the OECS countries on the management of their SPS system.  
 
“We want to ensure that these countries have in place a system in conformity with international standards and consistent with the World Trade Organization, of which they are members. The project helps to build safe SPS systems so that trade in goods, plants and animals are in accordance with international stipulations.

“It is important to note that when plants, animals and food are imported, we have to ensure that we are not importing them with illnesses. We’ve had instances where plants were seen with some diseases which may have originated from imports, and a proper SPS system may help to reduce the effects of such.”

 Greene noted that the workshop concluded with an identification of the priority needs of the countries in the SPS area and reached agreement on a basic follow-up plan that included training activities to address needs such as internships in Chile or visits to countries by Chilean experts in specific and technical matters.