Improving the participation of SADC countries in ISSBs

Standards which govern trade in agriculture and food products originate from a variety of sources. One important source of standards is the internationally agreed mandatory standards established by international standards setting bodies (ISSBs). With respect to communicable diseases in plants and animals, these are regulated under the WTO Agreement on Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) Measures. The two bodies responsible for these are the International Plant Protection convention (IPPC) and the International Office for Epizootics (OIE). In the case of food safety, these are also subject to international deliberations, under a joint FAO/ WHO Codex Alimentarius Commission that issues guidelines and codes of practice.

As part of the RSP Inception Phase, a detailed review of SADC countries' participation in these various international bodies was undertaken. In the case of the last eight Codex meetings held over the past two years, the average number of SADC countries attending was 3.

The objective of this component of the RSP is to develop southern Africa's long-term capacity to meaningfully participate and contribute to these international standard setting bodies and processes. Interviews conducted in the region and with the secretariats of ISSBs have confirmed that where developing countries participate in the work of ISSBs, they are not only better able to comply with new standards but also ensure improved international harmonisation with their own domestic standards.

ComMark works with the Southern Africa Confederation of Agricultural Unions (SACAU) and other organisations to ensure that government and business actively participate in the various standards bodies.