Newsletter November 2013 - CropLife Africa Middle East

CropLife Africa MiddleEast East CropLife Africa Middle NewsletterNewsletter

Number 96 November 2013

Hub and Regulatory Workshop: North Africa & Middle East - Dubai 29 / 30 October 2013 A large group of industry, regulatory and business colleagues from North Africa Middle Eastern countries, met in Dubai on October 29-30 for the annual Hub and Regulatory meeting 2013. It was most encouraging that a large number of the regulatory bodies participated. In addition to industry and government representation, 2 experts attended from BirdLife International who brought a new dimension of product stewardship to the group. In the combined opening session, the importance of well-managed regulatory systems and the enforcement thereof across the region, was emphasized by Dr. Bernhard Johnen, Emeritus Director of Regulatory Affairs of CropLife International. Bernhard then went on to present the Stewardship Key Note Address, based on the updated Stewardship Vision 2020. The experts from BirdLife presented on the most important “flyways for Soaring Migratory Birds” (gliders) across the Middle East, down to the Rift Valley and their potential exposure to inadequate agricultural practices and pesticide use.

Ali Saadalla who assisted in putting the meeting together

Bassam Mosameh of CropLife UAE who hosted the meeting

The regulatory session reviewed the previous work undertaken based on the Principles of Regulation (POR) project and completed the “Gap Analysis” for the Maghreb and Middle Eastern countries. In these sessions an action program was developed for the two country groups on how to close the identified weaknesses and to improve on their current regulatory systems to compare more favorably with best international regulatory standards. In the hub meeting the topic of the “migratory soaring birds” was further explored in a very lively group session that revealed a lot of highly valuable information and facts for the envisaged project by BirdLife International. The stewardship discussion then introduced the recently added topic of “Resistance Management“ based on respective recommendations made by the international “RAC”s (Resistance Action Committees). The most important hot spots with real or perceived resistance in the region were collected and these will be prioritized for further follow up in the future. Finally each country association presented their national activity report and action plans for 2014. It was in this session at which meeting participants really became aware of the extremely difficult situation that prevails in many countries of the Arab Spring. For many national associations and pesticide companies, it is extremely difficult or near impossible to implement their national CropLife action plans. The current political situation also explains why some country colleagues were unable to attend the 2013 meeting. Rudolf Guyer

Representing the Plant Science Industry

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C r o p L i f e Af r i c a M i d d l e E a s t N e w s l e t t e r


Left: Eng. Othaiba ALQaidi, Director of Chemical & Hazardous Waste Department, Ministry of Environment and Water – UAE, who officially opened the meeting

Ibraham Al Hasani and Symone Krimowa of BirdLife International


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Stewardship Container Management Project Team Meeting - Brussels On 2 October the Container Management Project Team met in Brussels and the following key points emerged from this: Detlef Doehnert presented an update on global numbers on collection volumes. This document was later refined further for the Stewardship Meeting in Raleigh. Feedback from the regions on “Accomplishments 2013” was given and in the case of CLAME, Morocco was identified as the key country on which to focus for a Container Management Scheme. An action plan was developed and which will be steered by Les Hillowitz. The move towards implementing a “coaching” approach was accepted for Developing Countries with an objective of embracing two countries per year. Details on the promotion of a non-hazardous classification in the EU were presented. The template developed by Cam Davreux covering audit protocols was discussed and endorsed. The draft policy on “Compliance” was accepted in principle but requires some refinement. On communications, two “Triple Rinsing” videos are currently under development, one from ECPA and the second in Latin America. Both are expected to be available before year-end. It was agreed that a “Crises Communications Plan” should be developed in the event of a serious mishap in the collection and recycling of empty pesticide containers. Cam Davreux will develop and circulate a template for such a plan. Planning for the 2014 face-to-face meetings will include one meeting of the CMPT to coincide with the Stewardship Meeting and a second during week 6 October that will include country managers. Les Hillowitz

Participants at the Container Management Project Team meeting


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CropLife Africa Middle East: Training Materials Reviewed All the training materials of CropLife Africa Middle East were reviewed during an intensive week that took place in Lusaka, Zambia from 14-18 October. The three regional trainers (Herman Louw from Namibia, Evelyn Lusenaka from Kenya and Perry Ngoma from Zambia) and the Training Coordinator, Manon Dohmen, participated at the meeting. At the moment CropLife Africa Middle East has the following training manuals: Safe and responsible use of pesticides for agro-input dealers and farmers Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Counterfeit and illegal pesticides for custom officers Spray Service Providers (SSP’s) Spray Service Providers (SSP’s) for cocoa During the meeting all topics of these documents were updated and gaps identified. Four new topics on resistance management were added to the safe and responsible use manual, and ideas for posters and other training aids were developed. In addition, a strategy covering “impact assessment” was finalized and forms to measure this, in the field were developed and will be field-tested during the next 6 months. The group agreed to adapt the SSP manual to other crops, including maize. The updated training manuals will be placed in separate folders in DropBox and national associations will be given access in order to make the manuals accessible to all trainers.

L-R, Evelyn Lusenaka, Manon Dohmen, Herman Louw and Perry Ngoma

Manon Dohmen

The Group Hard at Work


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IPM & Responsible Use Project Team & Stewardship Meetings Raleigh, North Carolina 22 – 23 October The Project Teams covering both IPM & Responsible Use and Stewardship, met in Raleigh on 22 and 23 October and at which the following key points were covered: The drafting of the CCP / Biotech “Resistance Management Farmer Training Module(s) should be available by year-end. The “Brown Plant Hopper” IPM project in Vietnam with partners, has been delayed into the New Year. The development of stewardship posters has progressed favourably with the following currently available: 9 Steps of Responsible Use Triple Rinse Sprayer Maintenance (knapsack) – “sprayer maintenance of mistblowers” to be addressed in the New Year. PPE The draft “Read the Label” poster was reviewed and it was agreed to simplify this. The next poster to be developed will be “Pesticide Storage” On AgLearn, the current text has been checked and updated by the NRI. The new platform will be on the CropLife Asia website shortly. CropLife Latin America’s responsible use videos will be translated into English and should be available on the CLI website in the next few weeks. On communications materials, enormous strides have been made with the “Adoni Project” leading the way. The first Stewardship Newsletter was issued and CLAME was asked to circulate this to recipients of the Monthly Newsletter. On Impact Measurement, the guidelines have been refined so that the results can be entered into a database. These new guidelines will be available by year-end. Two important areas were addressed, namely; How to increase impact How to increase (strategic) partnerships. A sub-team was formed to take this further. The Code of Conduct communications material will be finalized once the E-learning has been updated. Other communication materials covering the “Obstocks leaflet” and “Seed Treatment Guidelines” are under development. Most important for CropLife Africa Middle East is that the SSP concept has been recognized as an important tool in both Responsible Use and Stewardship practices. Les Hillowitz

Participants at the Meeting


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Spray Services Provider Programme - Cameroon

Participants representing member companies of CropLife Cameroon pay attention to the smooth progress of the SSP project as indicated by the national coordinator.

On October 09, member companies of CropLife Cameroon and a delegation of CropLife AME met in Douala, Cameroon to update participants on the implementation of SSP Cameroon. A brief summary was provided on the objectives and expected outcomes at regional and country levels. The presentation by the country coordinator, G. Etoundi focused on: The sensitization of farmers and major stakeholders covering their implication in the project. The major farmer organization, CONAPROCAM and the Support Project for Fungi Control in the Cocoa and Coffee Sub Sector (SSPFC 2C) are important allies in this initiative. The organization of the training for the 15 SSP trainers in August, now provides a total of 71 trainers at end September, reaching 71% of the target for this specific indicator. The upcoming training sessions of SSP’s and the effective farm-spraying program. Specific challenges were presented and discussed with guidance provided for successful implementation.

Bama Yao


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Regulatory Meeting with the Pesticides Regulatory Authorities: Yaoundé - Cameroon On October 08, representatives from CropLife met with the Department of Regulations and Quality Control of Agricultural Products and Inputs (Direction des Réglementations et du Contrôle de Qualité des Produits et Intrants Agricoles, DRCQPIA) in Yaoundé, Cameroon. CropLife AME arranged the meeting as a courtesy visit to the newly appointed director and as a follow-up to the new requirements for pesticide packaging as per the circular letter issued on March 26 and their later response. The overall goal of the mission was to explain the difficulties such requirements represent for this rather small market and therefore to request the authorities to reconsider these requirements. Following the discussions it was agreed that the industry would propose some alternatives to the circulated requirements that were primarily developed to combat the illegal trade of pesticides. The DRCQPIA agreed to take necessary action to ensure that the upcoming supplies will be cleared smoothly by the customs and SGS services. Bama Yao

M. Francis Leku, DRCQPIA and Rudolf Guyer, leading the two delegations

New Registrar - Uganda Within the last three months there was a restructuring of MAAIF with regard to the management of pesticide regulations. The department was split and Michael Odong promoted to the position of Assistant Commissioner, Agricultural Chemical Regulations. He is now officially the new Registrar. Les Hillowitz

Michael Odong


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Pesticide Regulations in Cameroon and Central Africa: (CEMAC-CPAC) Pursuing the meetings on their agenda the delegation of CropLife AME met with new CEMAC-CPAC team. The purpose of the meeting was to re-establish links and to discuss the implementation of the regional regulations. The discussions covered: The new organisation chart has a position of Director General, and that of a Scientific Director to assist the Director General in handling all issues related to pesticide regulations and registration. The position of permanent secretary has been removed. Links to the two research institutions in Cameroon (CARBAP in banana and IRAD the national research service) for preparation of protocols for bio-efficacy studies. The needs to improve the studies for the dossier study as well as the application form. CropLife AME will provide guidance and support for the development of the label and suggestions for reasonable registration fees. CropLife AME undertook to contact COLEACP on advocacy and the lobbying for the full implication and involvement of Cameroon in the CEMAC-CPAC framework.

Bama Yao

Group photo of participants representing CEMAC-CPAC, CropLife AME and CropLife Cameroon


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Anti Counterfeiting Anti-counterfeiting Training Workshop: Côte d’Ivoire A total of 31 participants comprising 16 customs officers and 12 officers from the Ministry of Agriculture, all operating in the south-eastern region of Côte d’Ivoire received training on 23 October, in Aboisso. This region is the main trade route between Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana and illegal pesticides form part of such cross border trade. The Director of the Crop Protection Department and Director of External Affairs of the Ministry of Agriculture participated in the workshop. The delegation from the Ministry of Agriculture fully participated in the session as well as the Regional Director of Customs Services. All participants received a copy of the course and

presentations

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pesticides will be provided frequently to ensure that only authorized products can circulate on the market Bama Yao

Officers and agents from the Customs Services and the Ministry of Agriculture were presented certificates for their valuable participation and commitment in the fight against the illegal trade of pesticides in the South East region.


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Anti-counterfeiting Flagship Project: Cameroon The delegation from CropLife AME also met with member companies of CropLife Cameroon in Douala, Cameroon on 9 October to discuss the Anti-counterfeit Flagship Project. Rudolf Guyer explained the decision taken by the Board covering the project, the concept approach and implementation process, based on the Egyptian model. This led to discussion on the formation of a steering committee, the participation of member companies, the implications for other stakeholders in the baseline study, the communications plan and budget related issues. The steering committee to be considered will be made up of the regular Anti-counterfeiting project team with participation of representatives of DuPont and of Syngenta. DuPont will chair the committee. CropLife Cameroon will contact the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MINADER) and the DRCQPIA for their involvement. Bama Yao

Rudolf Guyer (L) explaining the Anti-counterfeiting Flagship Project to the President of CropLife Cameroon, H. Fosso (R) and members companies of CropLife Cameroon.


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Association Management CropLife Tanzania: Association Management Training

Ms. Epiphania Kimaro, Director General, TPRI, Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security

A workshop on Association Management was organized on 9 and 10 October 2013 at the Kibo Palace Hotel, Arusha, Tanzania. Participation included 29 representatives from member, or potential member companies and 3 partner organizations. Manon Dohmen and Les Hillowitz facilitated the program. A SWOT analysis was developed in which the group listed the Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats of CropLife Tanzania. Currently CropLife Tanzania is involved in few activities for historical reasons but are enthusiastic to start-up in the following: An empty container management project Anti-counterfeiting activities A Spray Service Provider (SSP) project The issue of financial sustainability and partnerships was covered in some detail leading to the development of an agreed action plan. All agreed that the workshop was long overdue and needed to get CropLife Tanzania into a more favourable position for the foreseeable future. Les Hillowitz

Group Photo


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CropLife Uganda: Meetings with Potential Partners for projects such as an SSP and IPM / RU programs: 14 – 15 October aBi Trust Representing aBi Trust were: James A Byekwaso, Chief Manager Value Chains Harriet Nsubuga Mpanga, Market Development Specialist The success of the earlier joint anti-counterfeiting project was acknowledged. They are keen to explore the possibility of an SSP project in coffee in the Central Region and CLAME was requested to develop a Concept Note. Les Hillowitz

L-R, Bama Yao, Betty Atto, James Byekwaso, Harriet Mpanga, Stephen Matovu

Uganda Coffee Federation Representing the Uganda Coffee Federation were: Betty Namwagala, Executive Director Samson Emong, Program Manager The salient points that emerged from the discussions were: They believe that an SSP program could work in coffee. For this they would like to partner with aBi Trust. The input sector is not adequately regulated which lends itself towards such a project. There are fundamental gaps in the existing training programs and assistance is required which an SSP project could address. The Central Region, which would be the target area for a potential project has some specific technical issues covering both pest and fungal areas. They have 40 members of which 20 are exporters and of this number 10 are responsible for 85% of all coffee exports. The four key certification agencies are: UTZ, Common Code for Coffee Communities (4c’s), Rainforest and Fairtrade.


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BAT Uganda Representing BAT Uganda was: Nicholas Matsiko, Environment, Health & Safety Manager The key points that emerged from the meeting were: The success of the earlier joint project covering both Responsible Use and Anti-Counterfeiting was acknowledged with a definite request for a continued project in 2014. Their structure is as follows:

L-R, Stephen Matovu, Betty Atto, Nicholas Matsiko, Les Hillowitz

MD : Head of Leaf :Leaf Growing Manager ; Leaf Area Manager :Leaf Extension Technicians : Farmer Reps (contact farmers) They have a farmer base of 40,000 farmers and work through “farmer clubs” one rep per 20 farmers. In the earlier project this year, 1200 “lead farmers” were trained with the aim for 2014, to reach 5000 “lead farmers” They have an empty pesticide container scheme running with an average of a 40% return. This scheme is incentivized and the containers incinerated. They would like to develop a MoU with CropLife Uganda for 2014 which will cover an RU / A/C TOT for their technical staff. Ideal timing would be February 2014. CropLife Uganda will investigate the possibility of a suitable recycler close to their baling warehouse in order to switch from incineration to recycling. Les Hillowitz

USAID Uganda Feed the Future Enabling Environment for Agriculture Activity Representing the Enabling Environment for Agriculture project were: Douglas Griffith, Chief of Party Malcolm Toland, Strategic Technical Support Specialist The Enabling Environment for Agriculture Activity covers three key areas: Regulatory, Plant Biotechnology and Strengthening of Local Associations. There is a possibility that funding could be made available for the strengthening of CropLife Uganda. This could be in the form of financial support for Association Management Training over a 2, possibly 3-year period with the aim of building the association to represent close to 100% of the pesticide industry in the country. On Tuesday 22 October, CropLife Uganda was invited to the Enabling Environment for Agriculture Activity workshop for national associations where the details for funding was spelt out. Malcolm Toland in serious discussion with Stephen Matovu

Les Hillowitz


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Plant Biotechnology Vatican Discusses Golden Rice This month, Ingo Portrykus, Golden Rice developer and President of the Golden Rice Humanitarian Board, participated in the Pontifical Academy of Sciences meeting at the Vatican, where he met with Pope Francis and shared samples of Golden Rice. It was reported that Pope Francis blessed the rice after learning of its health benefits. Other academics who participated in the meeting included Joachim Von Braun, former President of the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI). For more information, contact CropLife’s Alex Rinkus at: [email protected]

Global Leaders Seek Support for Nigeria’s Agric Transformation Global leaders in business, knowledge management, and government have urged the various ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) of the federal government to support the work of President Goodluck Jonathan and Dr. Akinwumi Adesina on the Agricultural Transformation Agenda (ATA). The advice came during the meeting of the Eminent Persons Group convened by President Jonathan in New York, USA. In a high-level advisory body’s second meeting for a select team of global leaders, convened to advise the president on how to move agricultural transformation forward, he had asked for frank views and advice of those leaders present. The leaders included past Secretary General of the United Nations, Mr. Kofi Annan; President of Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Mr. Bill Gates; and President of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), Dr. Kanayo Nwanze. Dr. Donald Kaberuka of the African Development Bank was unable to attend. Chairman, Dansa Foods and vice chairman, Dangote Group, Mr. Sani Dangote, who declared his company’s support for, and collaboration with, the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, lamented the contradiction wherein another ministry grants tariff waivers for the importation of palm oil, while the ministry of agriculture is trying hard to promote local production by prompting farmers to expand plantation holding. In response, Annan described the issue of one ministry working at cross-purposes with another as unacceptable, particularly when one is trying to improve the livelihood of poor local farmers and boost local production and another is giving import waivers that would discourage the local farmers from production. He was glad that some companies that have been importing are now engaged in agriculture, growing locally, rather than importing. Nwanze called for cohesion among the various government agencies in the implementation of agricultural transformation agenda, saying that ATA goes beyond one ministry and “this agenda is bigger than one ministry.” He said he fully endorsed the youth programme and that IFAD “will continue to work directly with the ministry in that regard.” Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, noted that there has been a significant increase in the participation of local industries since the commencement of the agricultural transformation agenda, with increasing number of local investment, replacing the old import-dependent business activities. For instance, he said, “when we started, we had 11 seed companies. Today, we have 71.” Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Allison-Madueke, stressed the need for “connectivity between ministries,” adding that “it is in our interest to diversify the economic base away from oil and gas.” She said some fertiliser projects are soon to commence production as part of the collaborative efforts of her ministry with agriculture ministry. While making his presentation, Dangote, who described the industry’s perspective, spoke on sorghum processing for high energy food. He disclosed that “we have keyed in to Agricultural Transformation Agenda and will encourage more farmers to key into the production of sorghum.” He therefore advised the federal government to maintain policies that would support business and investment in agro-processing.


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According to him, “we are working with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to develop sorghum processing for high energy foods. We are also working on school feeding programme”. Dangote added that blends of sorghum and other ingredients would need to be produced industrially for the Nigerian market, especially bearing in mind the nutritional deficiency prevalent in some parts of Nigeria. Annan observed that Africa cannot overcome its difficulties if it does not build on the small scale farmers, but should be bold enough to go beyond just small scale farmers. He also opined that the transformation should aim at bigger stakeholders. According to the former UN Scribe, “science is going to be part of the solution.” The GMO debate going on between European Union and United States, he said, has considerable influence on Africa on whether or not to adopt bio-engineered crops. He advised the Nigerian government to take decisions and come up with policies favourable for the adoption of GMOs.

Nigeria, Featured, Business, Akinwumi Adesina

Agriculture Minister, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina

Nigeria, Featured, Business, Akinwumi Adesina

Bill Gates Joins the Support for Biotech Bananas in Sub-Saharan Africa The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation recently committed $10 million to help produce vitamin A enriched bananas in subSaharan Africa. The money will back a project at the Queensland University of Technology headed by professor James Dale. “Bill and Melinda Gates have been strong advocates of biotechnology in the effort to address world hunger,” said Lorne Hepworth, president of CropLife Canada, an agricultural trade association. “They recognize that with science, we can ensure millions of people in developing countries have access to adequate nutrition. This project is another step in opening the world to the significant advances genetically modified foods can play in a serious global issue.” The research project addresses the huge iron and vitamin A deficiencies found in Ugandan people. Lack of these nutrients can cause malnutrition and stunt brain development, particularly in children. By breeding bananas that contain more of these nutrients, professor Dale is hoping to provide significant long-term health benefits to the people, who rely on bananas as a staple in their diets. According to Bill Gates, there is no added cost involved in growing the genetically modified bananas, so this could be a simple way to address a serious health issue, not only in Uganda, but in other tropic and sub-tropic countries. In fact, the Gates Foundation has recently taken on bananas as one of its core crops, citing its values as the eighth most important crop in the world. Hepworth says biotechnology companies in Canada are excited that the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation continues to back projects designed to address world hunger. “We know that carefully regulated plant science can make a very real difference in the lives of people in developing countries,” he said. “It is up to those of us in first world countries, with the resources and technology, to lead the global fight to eradicate hunger.” Source: agoracosmopolitan.com


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CropLife Africa Middle East International Association AISBL 326 Avenue Louise, Box 36 B-1050 Brussels

Job Announcement CropLife Africa Middle East seeks a Regulatory Advocacy & Issue Manager The Regulatory, Advocacy & Issue Manager engages with regional and national organizations, seeking a positive dialogue on current topics critical to the crop protection industry – particularly Highly Hazardous Pesticides (HHP), pollinator health and endocrine disruptors. We seek an outstanding candidate with demonstrated skills and experience in issue management and advocacy relevant to the plant science industry and understanding of topics related to sustainable agriculture and the environment. Applicants must have excellent networking and interpersonal skills; excellent writing & presentation skills; a keen understanding of regional and national policy processes and ability to think strategically; the skills to work autonomously as well as in a team environment; the ability to prioritize and manage parallel work streams; the ability to travel. A full job description is available on request. Interested applicants should contact: Director General / CEO, CropLife AME: Email: [email protected] Regional Coordinator: Les Hillowitz CropLife AME: Email: [email protected] Regional Coordinator: Bama Yao, CropLife AME: Email: [email protected] Representing the Plant Science Industry

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Meeting with COLEACP, Brussels

6 November

CLAME Board Meeting, Brussels

7 & 8 Nov

IPM/RU training workshop, Abidjan

11 – 14 November

Meeting of the Obsolete Stocks Project Team, Brussels

18 November

Visit to Cairo for GAP discussions with the APC and to advance the Anti-counterfeiting project

19 – 22 November

SAICM Regional Meeting, Pretoria, South Africa

18 – 22 November

IPM training of Registrar and Team; Namibia

19 – 21 November

CILSS-CSP 2nd Ordinary Meeting for Pesticides Registration, Bamako

25 – 29 November

Meeting with potential partners in Kenya and Tanzania for SSP projects

25 – 29 November

Steering Committee Meeting of CLP and ACI in Accra

3 – 5 December

ICCO SPS African Cocoa Project CI workshop, Yamoussoukro

4 – 9 December

PRD Steering Committee Meeting, Brussels

9 December

POR project Team Meeting, Brussels

10 December

RSC Meeting, Brussels

11 – 12 December

ICCO SPS African Cocoa Regional Workshop, Abidjan

10 – 13 December

GROWING FOOD - CREATING RENEWABLES - SUPPLYING SUSTAINABLY Representing the Plant Science Industry

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Contributors: Bama Octave Yao (West-Central Africa)

[email protected]

Les Hillowitz (East-Southern Africa)

[email protected]
