KENYA PARTICIPATES IN THE 19TH SESSION OF THE COMISSION ON PHYTOSANITARY MEASURES
A Kenyan Delegation from KEPHIS, Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development and the Embassy of the Republic of Kenya in Rome, Italy participated in the 19th Session of The Commission on Phytosanitary Measures (CPM). Commission meetings are attended by IPPC contracting parties and by observers from organizations. The delegation was headed by KEPHIS Managing Director Prof. Theophilus Mutui.
The CPM is the governing body of the International Plant Protection Convention and meets annually. CPM aims to foster cooperation of both contracting parties and relevant stakeholders in plant health as well as help implement objectives of the IPPC. Some of the commissions key roles include; developing and adopting international standards, identifying actions to control the spread of pests into new areas and cooperates with international organizations on matters covered by the Convention.
The 19th Session of the CPM discussed issues of global plant health and ongoing initiatives. Discussions held included the need to rethink International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures (ISPM’s), improve their readability and implementation. The commission also adopted diagnostic protocols and the first Commodity Specific Standard (CS1) which is the (International movement of fresh Mangifera indica fruit) and is an annex to ISPM 46 (Commodity-specific standards for phytosanitary measures).
CPM discussed the implementation of the e-Phyto, success stories and challenges of the e-Phyto solution, with several countries appreciating the support towards implementation of the e-Phyto. There were also requests to increase the support for more countries to enhance the uptake of e-Phyto solution. The CPM also approved the workplan and budget for the next financial year’s activities for the IPPC. The concept of one health in plant health, animal health, human health and the environment was highlighted by various presenters during the science session. There was also a commendable contribution from United Republic of Tanzania that offered to translate the Guide on e-commerce to Kiswahili language.
CPM side sessions included presentations and discussions on the following; - National plant protection organizations (NPPOs) orientation which focused on how to attend and prepare effectively for CPM, Innovative research and tools to prevent and contain Fusarium TR4 spread, The Systems Approach: Principles, practical tools, and an upcoming IPPC Workshop, The Importance of Plant Health within One Health and the Africa Phytosanitary Programme.
KEPHIS was actively involved in the side sessions with the Managing Director, Prof. Theophilus Mutui giving a presentation on Kenya’s experience using systems approach. Systems Approaches helps national plant protection organizations (NPPOs) increase market access by providing options to apply measures to address phytosanitary issues instead of relying on only one approach to solving these complex problems. He shared how Kenya successfully implemented a Systems Approach to comply with European Union regulations while addressing the challenge posed by Thaumatotibia leucotreta, the False Codling Moth. His presentation expounded on the steps Kenya has taken to comply with European Union regulations of Rose Exports systematically highlighting the application of various tools used in the systems approach. KEPHIS remains at the forefront of driving compliance with international market requirements, ensuring the enhancement of safe trade and sustainability of Kenya’s floriculture industry.
Ag. Director Laboratory Services, Florence Munguti also participated as a speaker in the side session titled “Innovative research and tools to prevent and contain Fusarium TR4 spread”. She made a presentation focusing on the initiatives taken to prevent entry of Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. cubense Tropical Race 4 (TR4) and the experience on simulation exercise that was hosted by KEPHIS for COMESA countries in May 2024. Her presentation also focused on how Phytosanitary Capacity Evaluation has strengthened its response capacity to such pests.
The CPM was a great success with the Chairperson urging contracting parties to support the activities of IPPC.
