by A. Sakala Quarantine and Phytosanitary Services Zambia SAFRINET & The International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) SAFRINET & The International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) SADC

SAFRINET The Southern African network of BioNET- International BioNETs purpose: building taxonomic capacity through regional networks SAFRINET is the Southern African Regional Network of BioNET-International and An official SADC project, in the Directorate for Food, Agriculture and Natural Resources (FANR)

Why is taxonomy important? Taxonomy is: Naming of organism Classification of organism groups Documenting natural history; food, hosts, parasites, biogeography, etc. Important for: Recognizing species, quarantine pests Communication / reporting to importer Accessing information, handling procedures Predicting behaviour, Recognizing potentially problematic species All these are important for phytosanitary services

SAFRINETs operational strategy To focus initially on a: Specific user group = phytosanitary services & digital information Specific need = identify quarantine organisms To take a new approaches in: Enabling quarantine staff to identify organisms Develop new tools = computer aided To be a regional node for national & international initiatives; Discover Life, GBIF, ETI, etc.

SAFRINET: Phytosanitary services Achievements: SAFRINET Co-ordinating Committee approval SADC phytosanitary services support FANR Directorate endorsement Partners in digital tools: ETI, DAISY, Discover Life, EcoPort, ABIS Working with international organizations: IPPC, USGS FANR core funding & competitive fund

SAFRINET: Phytosanitary services ctd. What next: Raise funds Decide on priority products Decide on priority organisms on product Choose best electronic tools Acquire expertise to develop the tools Train users Implement new system

Why this approach The formation of a hub Invasive species are a global problem SADC does not have the technical expertise of the developed world, but can be a partner for our mutual benefit

Why this approach The use of electronic tools Adequate taxonomic expertise is unlikely to ever be available at each, or even most, quarantine stations The use of electronic tools requires minimal training Standard tools will give standardized results, access to one information source, approved handling procedures measures and standardized reporting

Current Initiatives SADC is reviewing the current phytosanitary regulations in order to facilitate local trade Widespread pests in the region are being removed Harmonized import and export documents Conducted PRAs should be SADC wide Hasten market access and facilitate trade

Having reviewed the current pest lists, SADC will have to look at the A1 pests for the region Identification capabilities of quarantine pests may not lay in the region. This will entail capacity building for the region including computer based identification keys. Challenge

A SAFRINET, IPPC and technology developers partnerships SAFRINET trains phytosanitary services inspectors in organism identification The most practical solution is to use electronic technology The tools need to be developed (technology exists) The tools require international recognition Use SAFRINET for a pilot project for getting global acceptance IPPC framework used for: Setting standards Ensure that the tools are recognized by importers Promote this approach Technology developers Ensure adequate, reliable tools Indication that USDA-APHIS will support this Hub Conclusions

Acknowledgements: Congress organizers: German Government and IPPC Zambia Phytosanitary services ARC-PPRI Supporters of SAFRINET

Thank you