Presentation heading here 2nd line if needed Main title slide to be used at start of presentation- Arial36bold white may vary depending on heading between min=32pt, max=40pt Subtitle - Arial28bold white Credits – Arial14light green, can include: Data collected by [Add names of contributors and production team & REMOVE THE BRACKETS] Analysis and compilation by [Add names of contributors & REMOVE THE BRACKETS] or Presenter’s name, date, event You may insert your own picture (Click icon to add picture). No line bordering picture. Portfolio link http://portfolio:8090, enter your usual network username and password TO ADD MORE SLIDES in Office2007 use the ‘New Slide’ dropdown on the ‘Home’ ribbon Improved phytosanitary system ensures the lifting of a vegetable export ban in Ghana Walter Hevi KEPHIS International Phytosanitary Conference - 4th – 8th June 2018

Introduction From 2013 - 2015 there has been many interceptions of plants from Ghana at EU borders, due to the presence of harmful organisms In October, 2015, the European Commission decided to prohibit the introduction of five (5) plant commodities from Ghana into the EU market until end of December 2016. A follow up audit was undertaken in September 2016, decision was taken by the European Commission to renew the ban by one year until December 2017.

Interceptions of harmful organisms from 2011-17 No. of interceptions Year Source: EUROPHYT 2011 - 2017

Predominate harmful organisms intercepted (2012-2015) 5 banned plant commodities with the highest number of interceptions: Capsicum sp (Pepper) Luffa sp (Luffa/Ridge gourd) Momordica sp (Bitter gourd) Solanum sp (Egg plants) Lagenaria sp (Bottle gourd) Thrips palmi Tephritidae (Fruit flies) Thaumatotibia leucotreta (FCM) Bemisia tabaci (White fly)

Five (5) banned plant commodities: Chili Pepper Luffa/Ridge gourd) Bitter gourd Egg plants Bottle gourd

Decline in Ghana’s vegetable export: volumes and values (2012-2016) Source: Ghana Export Promotion Authority Year USD

Challenges in the Phytosanitary system Inspectors lacking sufficient technical competence to undertake effective export inspections Absence of specific technical guidance on detecting different harmful organisms on different hosts The NPPO quarantine laboratory not equipped to carry out diagnoses There was no system is in place which provides for the full traceability

Challenges in the Phytosanitary system cont'd…. Information flow from the competent authority to the pack-house owners and exporters of fruits and vegetables was poor Lack of knowledge and unawareness of international requirements about the presence of harmful organisms among smallholders Authorised facilities carrying out heat treatment of wood packaging material had no appropriate equipment

Actions taken to solve phytosanitary challenges A ministerial taskforce was constituted by the Minister of Food and Agriculture made up of representatives of NPPO, private sector, development partners and other relevant institutions Strengthening technical capacity of inspection staff Recruiting phytosanitary experts to support risk-based inspection and phytosanitary certification Reviewing standard operation procedures (SOPs) for inspection and production to conform to EU plant health requirements

Actions taken to solve phytosanitary challenges cont'd.. Equipping inspection facilities with laboratory equipment for pest diagnosis Conducting on-farm trials to help develop appropriate pest management protocols Train farmers/exporters in pest management Reviewing traceability systems

Result: Evaluation by EU Team (September, 2017) Port officials performing export inspections had technical competence levels conforming to Article 2(1)(i) of Council Directive 2000/29/EC and ISPM 7 Comprehensive SOPs for checks existed and are consistently followed Laboratory technical capacity to test concerned harmful organisms existed Sampling was consistently done with representative sample sizes conforming to ISPM 23

Result: Evaluation by EU Team (September, 2017) cont'd.. Appraisal and follow-up systems to interceptions existed Upgraded traceability system to operate along entire supply chains existed conforming to ISPM 7 Producers and exporters trained on pest management and phytosanitary issues Facilities authorised to carry out heat treatment of wood packaging material had appropriate equipment to meet ISPM 15 requirement

Interceptions after lifting of ban: Jan., 2018 – April, 2018 Harmful organism No. of Inceptions Harmful organisms - thrips (4) - fruit fly (1) - nematodes (1) 6 Documentations No phytosanitary certificate - Passengers luggage 5 Documentations (Additional declarations) 3 Source: EUROPHYT 2018

On-going activities to sustain improved phytosanitary system Pest monitoring and data collection using various traps and lures Local certification scheme for all producer - Ghana Green label certification Recruitment and training of additional staff to increase the number of NPPO staff carrying inspection Producers/exporters fields and pack-houses inspected before allowed to export Monitoring of Fall Armyworm in vegetable fields Temporary ban on exporter whose consignment is intercepted with harmful organism by NPPO at the post of exist.

Conclusion and Recommendation Experience from this activity confirms that public, private sector stakeholders and development partners need to work together to ensure systems compliant with international phytosanitary standards to boost trade