INFORMATION ON SPS ACTIVITIES OF THE AFRICAN UNION COMMISSION

Communication from the African Union

The following communication, received on 13 November 2024, is being circulated at the request of the African Union.

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1  Introduction

1.1.  The African Union Commission (AUC) Department of Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy, and Sustainable Environment (ARBE) coordinates initiatives to strengthen agriculture, food security, and resilience in African food systems. This report details the AUC's SPS activities from August to November 2024. These activities support the implementation of the AU Sanitary and Phytosanitary Policy Framework, Animal Health, Food Safety, and Plant Health Strategies, all aligned with Africa's economic integration goals, including the AfCFTA Annex 7 on SPS. With financial and technical support from international partners, these activities aim to enhance SPS systems, and support safe trade within Africa and globally.

2  Summary of key SPS activities implemented

2.1  Development of Rapid Alert Systems for Food and Feed in Africa

2.1.  A consultative meeting was held on 26–28 August 2024 in Lusaka, Zambia, to discuss the establishment of Rapid Alert Systems for Food and Feed in Africa. This meeting was funded by the European Union and USDA, with technical support from WHO and WOAH.

2.2  Review of SPS Regulations for COMESA

2.2.  A regional workshop for the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) took place from 2–6 September 2024 in Nairobi, Kenya, to review the SPS Strategy, Implementation Plans, and specific regulations for Animal Health, Food Safety, and Plant Health Technical Working Groups. This workshop was funded by the European Union.

2.3  National SPS Committee in Burkina Faso

2.3.  A workshop aimed at establishing the National SPS Committee for Burkina Faso was convened in Ouagadougou from 2–6 September 2024, with financial support from the European Union.

2.4  Training on National Enquiry Points/Notification Authority

2.4.  A training workshop on managing National Enquiry Points/National Notification Authority was conducted on 9–10 September 2024 in Lusaka, Zambia, supported by the WTO Standards and Trade Development Facility (STDF), USDA, and the European Union.

2.5  AfCFTA SPS Sub-Committee Meeting

2.5.  The 4^th AfCFTA Sub-Committee on SPS Measures Meeting was convened on 11‑13 September 2024 in Lusaka, Zambia, to advance SPS initiatives under the African Continental Free Trade Area.

2.6  Participation in Codex Committee Sessions

2.6.  Supported the participation of African Union Member States in Codex Committee sessions covering food import/export inspection, nutrition for special dietary uses, residues of veterinary drugs in foods, and food labelling, with funding from USDA.

2.7  Participation in CAADP Partnership Platform and Africa Day for Food and Nutrition Security

2.7.  The 20^th CAADP Partnership Platform and the 15^th Africa Day for Food and Nutrition Security from 29 October – 1 November 2024 in Harare, Zimbabwe, themed "Two Decades of CAADP Agenda: Cultivating the Nexus of Nutrition, Agrifood Systems, and Education for Africa's Growth".

2.8  CAADP Strategy and Action Plan for 2026-2035

2.8.  The CAADP Strategy and Action Plan for 2026-2035 has been developed and includes Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) measures as a priority. Priority 3 focuses on "strengthening SPS measures and promoting the One Health approach", both recognized as vital to enhancing food security across Africa. This inclusion marks a critical step forward in safeguarding public health, boosting trade, and ensuring the resilience of our food systems continent-wide.

3  Upcoming SPS Activities

-_        COMESA SPS Committee meeting to adopt revised SPS regulations, strategy, implementation plans, and action plans for targeted transboundary value chains, from 18‑20 November 2024 in Nairobi, Kenya;

-_        Consultative meeting on knowledge management for food safety, plant, and animal health, from 25–29 November 2024 in Lusaka, Zambia;

-_        AU SPS Coordination Forum scheduled from 3–6 December 2024;

-_        Workshop to develop the Pan-African Strategy for Rabies Elimination by 2030, held from 4‑6 December 2024 in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.

4  Conclusion

4.1.  The African Union Commission expresses gratitude to our Development Partners, particularly the European Union and USDA, WOAH, and WHO for supporting our activities during this reporting period.

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