Bridging Phytosanitary Capacity Through The Centre Of Phyosanitary Excellence (COPE)

Abstract

This paper reviews efforts made towards addressing phytosanitary concerns in Africa through training and pest risk analysis networks in the Centre of Phytosanitary Excellence (COPE). COPE was established through a project initially supported financially by Standards Trade and Development Facility (STDF), International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC), National Plant Protection Service (NPPS) of the Netherlands and KEPHIS with partners such as Africa Union – InterAfrica Phytosanitary Council (AU-IAPSC), University of Nairobi, CABI and Ministries of Agriculture in Zambia, Tanzania and Uganda among others. COPE was launched officially by the Assistant minister for Agriculture, Mr. Kareke Mbiuki as a centre on 27th October 2010 at the Kenyatta International Conference Centre, Nairobi, Kenya. Since March 2011, COPE has undertaken two trainings and a total of 31 students drawn from both local and regional public and private sectors have been trained on phytosanitary standards and pest risk analysis. For the sustainablity, the centre charges training fee which is met by either the trainee or the sponsors. COPE hopes to bridge phytosanitary capacities in African countries for effective management and co-ordination of phytosanitary systems at national and regional level. This paper describes training achievements in the last three years and efforts in creating pest risk analysis networks that are essential for making informed phytosanitary decisions.