U.S.%20Plant%20Health%20Requirements%20and%20African%20Exports

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U.S. Plant Health Requirements and African Exports

• Miami, FL
• September 16, 2004

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African Horticultural Exports

• Increase in production and exports of
  horticultural products (fruits, vegetables, cut
  flowers) through the 1990s.
• What nontraditional crops such as baby or Asian
  vegetables
• Who South Africa, Kenya, Zimbabwe
• Where European countries.

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US Horticultural Imports from Africa
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What about the US market?

• Fruit and vegetable exports have grown over the
  last decade, but are small compared to EU market
• Largely limited to tropical products (coconut,
  pineapple, casava), nuts
• Plant health concerns mean most fresh fruits and
  vegetables are not enterable.

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Regulating Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Imports
APHIS FDA EPA AMS FWS
To prevent the entry of plant pests and diseases likely to harm U.S. plant health (agriculture, wild flora) To protect human health against impure, unsafe, and fraudulently labeled foods To protect human health by setting maximum residue limits for pesticides To ensure products of acceptable quality To protect endangered and threatened species
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Risk Assessment

• If a commodity is not already enterable, a RISK
  ASSESSMENT will be necessary to determine what
  plant quarantine concerns are associated with its
  importation, and how these can be mitigated.
• A risk assessment requires substantial
  information about pests in the producing region

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Import Conditions

• Once the relevant quarantine pests and potential
  mitigations have been identified, appropriate
  import conditions need to be developed in
  discussion between APHIS and the exporting
  countrys plant health authorities

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Rulemaking

• APHIS is obligated to do its rulemaking in
  accordance with the Administrative Procedures Act
  (APA)
• The APA ensures that regulatory changes are made
  in an open and transparent manner
• Review and comment by other USG agencies
• Public notice and comment solicited from all
  interested parties

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Rule Development and Clearance Process Part 1
                                                 
                                                  
                                                
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Rule Development and Clearance Process Part 2
                                             
                                                  
                
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Relevant capacity building efforts in Africa

• ATRIP-funded series of regional SPS seminars
• Pest Risk Assessment training in cooperation with
  Tuskegee University (ATRIP)
• AID-funded APHIS positions at regional trade hubs
• Cochran-funded training for African participants

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PRA Advisor Role

• Work with exporting country officials to obtain
  data necessary to complete PRAs
• Conduct PRAs for selected commodities, in
  cooperation with African participants
• Provide guidance to exporting country officials
  in risk mitigation discussions
• Provide technical support for drafting of
  proposed and final rules

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Desired Outcomes

• Market access for selected African horticultural
  products
• Improved knowledge of pest complexes associated
  with African products
• Improved capacity of African phytosanitary
  services, including familiarity with risk
  assessment
• Stronger relationships between APHIS and its
  African counterparts