SPS ACTIVITIES OF THE CARIBBEAN AGRICULTURAL HEALTH
AND FOOD SAFETY AGENCY (CAHFSA)

REPORT TO THE COMMITTEE ON SANITARY AND PHYTOSANITARY MEASURES

The following communication, received on 21 February 2025, is being circulated at the request of CAHFSA.

_______________

1  INTRODUCTION

1.1.  The Caribbean Agricultural Health and Food Safety Agency (CAHFSA) was established by the Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) to perform a coordinating and organizing role in the establishment of an effective and efficient regime of regional sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) measures and to execute on behalf of member States such SPS actions and activities that can be more effectively and efficiently executed through a regional mechanism. Made operational in October 2014, the Institution celebrated its 10^th anniversary in October 2024.

1.2.  CAHFSA is pleased to provide this report to the 91^st regular meeting of the Committee on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures, summarizing key activities and providing updates on its SPS work programme.

2  ADMINISTRATION AND GOVERNANCE

2.1.  CAHFSA is pleased to report that we achieved full operational capacity in 2024 by completing our staffing requirements. The organization successfully filled two key technical positions: an Animal Health Specialist, who assumed duties in May 2024, and a Food Safety Specialist, who commenced work in September 2024. This marks a significant milestone as it represents the first time CAHFSA has operated with a complete staff complement since its establishment, enhancing its capacity to execute its mandate in the Caribbean region.

3  CAPACITY BUILDING PROGRAMMES AND ACTIVITIES

3.1.  CAHFSA continues to implement initiatives to enhance member States' export development and expansion capacity through training programmes, guideline development, and evaluations of the National SPS Capacity.

3.1  Letter of Agreement with the Basel Convention Regional Centre for Training and Technology Transfer for the Caribbean (BCRC-Caribbean)

3.2.  CAHFSA collaborated with the BCRC-Caribbean to implement a training program on Good Labelling Practices for Pesticides in Agriculture. This initiative, part of the GEF-funded Implementing Sustainable Low and Non-Chemical Development in Small Island Developing States (ISLANDS) Programme, aimed to help Small Island Developing States (SIDS) adopt sustainable chemical management practices. The program sought to prevent hazardous substance accumulation, including Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) and Mercury, while promoting environmental protection. The project was concluded in August 2024 with the following successful outputs:

a._    Country Assessment of the countries' adherence to FAO-WHO Pesticide Labelling Guidelines. Each participating country's compliance with these guidelines was evaluated, focusing on key factors such as successes, challenges, gaps, and barriers. The resulting Country Assessment Report, reviewed by all involved nations, played a crucial role in shaping the training workshop.

b._    Training Workshop on Good Pesticide Labelling Practices: CAHFSA designed and implemented a specialised training program on Good Labelling Practices for Pesticides in Agriculture in the Caribbean. This hybrid workshop, held in Barbados in July 2024, concentrated on six essential topics:

i._     Comprehending Pesticide Labels;

ii._    Assessing Pesticide Labels;

iii._   Compliance and Technical Training;

iv._   Transboundary Movement of Pesticides – Storage and Transport Methods;

v._    Resources and Practical Solutions;

vi._   Environmental Protection and Future Actions.

c._    Development of a Virtual Guidance Tool: A concept note for a virtual guidance tool was developed to assist the Caribbean region in implementing effective pesticide labelling practices. It outlines the recommended steps for providing accessible resources and standardised guidelines on pesticide labelling for agricultural use.

3.2  Support for Suriname Market Access and Regional Food Safety Programmes

3.3.  In July 2024, CAHFSA signed a Letter of Agreement (LoA-RRS 7258) with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) to deliver capacity-building activities on food safety policy instruments for food safety institutions and food business operators in Suriname, improving market access opportunities.

3.2.1  Project Outputs

a._    Caribbean Taskforce for Food Safety (CTFS)

-_        CAHFSA, in collaboration with the Suriname Market Access Project (SAMAP) and FAO, hosted the second Regional Food Safety Conference in Suriname from 10‑12 September 2024. This marked the first in-person CTFS meeting since its establishment in 2019, which was convened under the theme "Food Safety in a Changing Climate: Safe Food, Healthy People, and Stronger Communities";

b._    Improved Market Access Opportunities for Suriname

-_        The STDF P-IMA (Prioritizing SPS Investments for Market Access) framework was applied in Suriname in November 2024 by trained facilitators to prioritize SPS investment options and support market access;

c._    Training for Export-Oriented Businesses

-_        Good Agricultural Practices (GAP): Training was delivered in September/October 2024, with selected participants advancing to follow-up Food Safety and Global GAP training in November 2024;

-_        Food Safety Training: From 22-25 October 2024, an "Introductory Good Hygiene Practices (GHP) and Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP)" course was delivered. The curriculum was based on FAO GHP and HACCP tools, the International HACCP Alliance, United States of America, and the Codex Alimentarius Commission guidelines;

-_       Advanced Training: A follow-up course on "Global GAP and Global GAP Auditor" was conducted from 5–8 November 2024. Participants were trained in GAP, GHP, and HACCP to promote safe food production in hygienic environments. The goal was to protect public health and prepare for certification where applicable.

3.3  Training in Risk Communication

3.4.  In October 2024, CAHFSA partnered with the FAO to deliver a comprehensive training program on risk communication for veterinary officials. This initiative aimed to enhance participants' skills and knowledge in effectively communicating risks associated with animal health and food safety. Emphasising the importance of clear and transparent communication, the program equipped attendees with strategies to manage public perceptions and respond to emergencies effectively.

3.4  Workshop on the Progressive Pathway to Emergency Preparedness

3.5.  From 21-24 October 2024, CAHFSA collaborated with FAOI and CaribVET to facilitate an impactful workshop focused on enhancing regional emergency preparedness. This workshop aimed to equip participants with the necessary tools and strategies to respond effectively to animal health and food safety emergencies.

4  ADVOCATING FOR SPS: INITIATIVES TO FOSTER REGIONAL UNITY AND COHESION

4.1  The CARICOM Chief Veterinary Officers (CCVOs) and CaribVET Meeting

4.1.  CAHFSA facilitated the 24^th CARICOM Chief Veterinary Officers (CCVO) meeting in Kingstown, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, from 22-26 April 2024. This meeting was part of the Fifth General Assembly of the Caribbean Animal Health Network (CaribVET), a collaborative network of 34 countries. It was the second face-to-face CCVO meeting since the COVID-19 pandemic, addressing challenges posed by emerging diseases in plant and animal health. Key topics included Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI), African Swine Fever (ASF), and the One Health approach. The meeting emphasized collaboration among member States to strengthen animal health governance and tackle veterinary challenges. It highlighted the role of partnerships in preparing for emergencies and the impact of CCVOs on agriculture and intra-regional trade.

4.2.  The next CCVO meeting will occur in Trinidad and Tobago from 24-28 March 2025. During this meeting, the CCVOs will activate the committees outlined in the CARICOM Trade Policy for Animal and Animal Products and address regional responses to the threats posed by African Swine Fever and Avian Influenza.

4.2  The Coordinating Group of Pesticides Control Boards of the Caribbean (CGPC)

4.3.  Established in 1987, the CGPC aims to enhance regional coordination, communication, and action on pesticide management. It has consistently advocated for a harmonized legal framework for pesticides, including registration and inspection. In October 2024, CAHFSA proposed a Regional Harmonized Scheme for Pesticide Registration to the Council for Trade and Economic Development (COTED), which the Ministers of Agriculture approved. CAHFSA is now moving forward with its implementation.

4.3  The Caribbean Week of Agriculture 2024

4.4.  The Caribbean celebrated its 18^th Caribbean Week of Agriculture (CWA) from 7‑11 October 2024, in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, with the theme "Climate Smart Agriculture for a Sustainable Future". This aligns with the 25% by 2025 goals to transform food systems into resilient and sustainable models, focusing on climate-smart actions to enhance soils, fertilizers, water conservation, crop resilience, biodiversity, ecology, and climate financing. During the week, CAHFSA collaborated with regional and international agencies to host events to strengthen agricultural resilience in the Caribbean. These included:

a._    The CAHFSA 10^th Anniversary Symposium 2024 was held on 8 October 2024 under the Theme "Climate-Resilient Sanitary and Phytosanitary Practices: Safeguarding Agriculture in a Changing Climate". The session explored how climate-resilient SPS practices can be developed and implemented to safeguard agriculture in an evolving climate landscape.

b._    Pesticide Management Session themed "Enhancing Pesticide Sustainability: Paving the Way for a Greener and More Productive Future". The session reiterated that by prioritizing sustainable and climate-smart approaches to pesticide management, the agricultural sector can adapt to changing conditions and contribute to long-term food security while safeguarding the environment and human health.

4.5.  The 19^th Caribbean Week of Agriculture will be held in Saint Kitts and Nevis from 28 September to 3 October 2025.

5  COLLABORATION WITH INTERNATIONAL AND REGIONAL ORGANIzATIONS IN THE AREA OF AGRICULTURAL HEALTH AND FOOD SAFETY

5.1  IPPC Regional Workshop for the Caribbean

5.1.  From 26-30 August 2024, CAHFSA partnered with the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC), the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA), and the FAO Sub‑Regional Office for the Caribbean to organize and deliver the 2024 IPPC Regional Workshop for the Caribbean. This workshop was held concurrently with the 17^th annual Caribbean Plant Health Directors' Forum (CPHD) meeting.

5.2.  As in previous years, the IPPC Regional Workshop aimed to enhance capacity in various IPPC‑related areas. Additionally, the workshop provided a platform for analysing draft International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures (ISPMs) and formulating constructive feedback on these drafts.

5.2  The Caribbean Public Health Agency's One-Health Workshop

5.3.  CAHFSA participated in the One Health Multidisciplinary Workshop organized by the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) to promote integrated surveillance for foodborne diseases and zoonoses. The workshop took place in Trinidad and Tobago on 18 November 2024. With over 70 participants representing 10 CARICOM member States and 13 regional and international agencies, the workshop underscores the regional commitment to strengthening food safety and health security across the Caribbean.

5.4.  This two-day workshop, supported by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) through the Pandemic Fund, convenes multidisciplinary representatives from the human, animal, and environmental health sectors to address the shared challenges of foodborne diseases (FBDs) and zoonoses. Delegates include national epidemiologists, laboratory directors, chief environmental health officers, and chief veterinary officers.

5.5.  CAHFSA is now a member of the Caribbean One Health Multi-Sectorial Steering Committee and will collaborate with various sectors to address health threats at the animal-human-environmental interface, focusing on local, national, and regional levels. The goal is to improve health security and safety across the Caribbean region, emphasizing food safety and collaborative response to health challenges.

5.3  Collaboration with the GICSV and the TC-RPPO

5.6.  CAHFSA actively supports the international and hemispheric phytosanitary Community in coordinated activities to prevent the introduction and spread of plant pests.

5.7.  The Agency continued collaborating with the Inter-American Coordinating Group in Plant Health (GICSV). GICSV is a hemispheric forum for coordination and collaboration in plant protection matters. The group was created to promote joint actions aimed at preventing the introduction and spread of pests of plants, plant products, and other regulated commodities and encouraging the adoption of appropriate measures for their control.

5.8.  CAHFSA has assumed the role of GICSV coordinator for the period 2025-2027.

5.9.  The 36^th Technical Consultation among Regional Plant Protection Organizations (TC-RPPOs) occurred in Panama City, Panama, from 1-4 October 2024. CAHFSA, the Regional Plant Protection Organization (RPPO) for the Caribbean, participated virtually and contributed to implementing the IPPC.

5.10.  The TC-RPPOs promote inter-regional cooperation by harmonizing phytosanitary measures and advancing international standards. As a platform for RPPO collaboration, the TC supports regional IPPC programmes and contributes to the Commission on Phytosanitary Measures (CPM) work programme.

5.4  CAHFSA's Participation in Strengthening Food Safety Systems: IICA/EU SPS Measures Project

5.11.  CAHFSA participated in a Performance, Vision, and Strategy (PVS) tool training session on 28-29 October 2024, in Bridgetown, Barbados, to prepare representatives from CAHFSA, CRFM, and IICA for assessing CARIFORUM countries in 2025. This initiative supports CARICOM's regional food security goals and aims to improve agricultural and fishery trade compliance. The training addresses SPS trade barriers in the Caribbean as part of the IICA/EU Food Security SPS Measures Project. Managed by IICA, the project focuses on enhancing food safety controls by evaluating existing systems in Caribbean countries to establish a baseline for prioritizing improvements.

5.12.  IICA will use the PVS tool to evaluate food control services in the region, assessing key competencies for effective food safety controls. The findings will guide investment priorities to strengthen national food control systems in collaboration with the private sector.

__________