20100601
africanews

The European Union (EU) has pooled together experts to impart skills in the harmonisation of food hygiene inspection in Africa. The European continental body has teamed up with its African liaise, the African Union Commission (AUC).

Together, the two - from 2009 and 2010, jointly coordinate the implementation of seven capacity building activities worth Euro 10 million. Activities target both public and private sectors that play a role in the Sanitary and Phyto-Sanitary (SPS) systems at national, regional and continental levels.

A press release said the week long workshop, to be attended by the continents best, will, among other areas, touch on Continental Experience on Standardisation; FAO/WHO/CODEX regional experience.
The release, further adds: "the key objective is to support food security mainly by the transfer of technical expertise and policy advice in areas of food safety and quality across Africa."

"At micro level, the activities will help improve the use of agricultural inputs (fertilisers, pestcides, veterinary drugs, etc) and good hygiene practices in the production and distributions chains, “it reads.

Animal/product management systems of control and certifications, strengthening the competent authorities and producer’s associations (small and medium enterprises - SMEs) are also discussed in the workshop.

The macro level explores activities that support the gradual integration and competetiveness of the agro-food sector, among many others.

"The activities are part of the EU Annual Action Programme 2007 for food security... implemented under the Better Training for Safer Food (BTSF), an initiative of the EU - Health and Consumers Directorate-General ," says the release.

The meeting will be co-chaired by M. Jacky Le Gosles, director general at SANCO and Dr. Sarah Olembo from AUC DREA.