WORLD TRADE
ORGANIZATIONG/SPS/GEN/295/Add.13
18 March 2002
(02-1395)
Committee on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures Original:  Spanish
TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE – RESPONSES TO THE QUESTIONNAIRE
Submission by Cuba
AddendumG/SPS/GEN/295/Add.13
Page 2Technical assistance requirements:  Institute of Nutrition
Information Training Infrastructure: (Hard
and/or Soft)Specific concern Other
Rights,
obligations andpractical
operation of
the SPS
AgreementImprove the general
understanding of theSPS Agreement with
particular reference
to transparency and
the technical work of
the Codex, and focuson issues pertaining
to food safety with
consumer and media
participation.
Food safetyNational technical course on
risk analysis.
Workshop on equivalencerecognition and
regionalization.
Enhancement of information
services and reporting
procedures.Provide technical and
scientific personnel with
multidisciplinary andmultisectoral training in the
areas of risk assessment
and diagnosis.
Technical and scientific
training in Hazard Analysis
and Critical Control Point
(HACCP) procedures.
Harmonization and
equivalence of the quality
system.Update and reform legislation
and sanitary standard-setting
applicable to foodstuffs inaccordance with international
recommendations, guidelines
and standards, with emphasis on
the Codex.
Establish consumer education
programmes focusing on the
SPS Agreement.
Technical assistance in
connection with preparing,
upgrading, and exchanging
databases and information
systems related to food safety.The need for risk assessment
techniques.
Contact detailsIng. María Victoria Luna, Head of Department, Institute of Nutrition [ Instituto de Nutrición ]. Infanta 1158, esquina a Clavel, Centro Habana,
Havana City.
Fax. 00 537 70 89 47  E-mail:  marvicv@infomed.sld.cuG/SPS/GEN/295/Add.13
Page 3
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
(Such information could include, inter alia, a more detailed description of the technical assistance
required, any relevant background information on the reasons for the request, the possibility of using a
regional approach to the provision of the requested assistance and the scope for a coordinated approach
among relevant international organisations.)
Institute of Nutrition [ Instituto de Nutrición ]
As a member country of the Codex Alimentarius, and in order to implement the SPS Agreement, Cuba
must adopt Codex standards. Accordingly, Cuba mu st update its current standards and harmonize them
with the arrangements encountered in the various countries of the region (Mexico, Dominican Republic,
Argentina) which are destinations for Cuban exports as well as other regions accounting for the bulk of
its imports (Canada, Spain, etc.), including the EU . The current documentation prepared and approved by
the Codex Alimentarius is based on risk identification, analysis and assessment—hence the need to
acquire greater specialist knowledge of the various country sectors engaged in such activities. Similarly,
the need to implement the SPS Agreement will call for miscellaneous training activities for the
specialists working in this area.
Over the last two years, the Ministry of the Food Industry has put together a series of projects on Hazard
Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) with support from UNIDO. The Ministry of Fisheries has
also received technical assistance through the FAO in this regard. Accordingly, we believe that there
would be a possibility of enlisting your organization's support for technical activities in coordination
with both these international organizations with a view to implementing the SPS Agreement. Advisoryassistance in regard to the implementation of legislation will be required for this purpose.
Furthermore, it should be noted that Cuba has experts working for central government agencies who can
work actively on this technical assistance and share it with other countries in the region or other areas in
need.G/SPS/GEN/295/Add.13
Page 4Technical assistance requirements:  Plant health
Information Training Infrastructure: (Hard
and/or Soft)Specific concern Other
Rights,
obligations andpractical
operation of
the SPS
AgreementLecture:
Non-discriminationin the application of
phytosanitary
measures.
Rights, obligations,
and consequences.
Plant healthLecture:
Practical Operation
of the SPS
Agreement and the
Agreement on
Agriculture.(Hard Infrastructure)
Laboratory equipment for
diagnosing possible
quarantine pests.
Laboratory equipment for
determining pesticide
residues and additives.Utilisation of
questionnaire
Assessment of
Phytosanitary Capacity
in Cuba
(Questionnaire proposed
by the InternationalPlant Protection
convention (IPPC)).
Contact detailsContact for National Plant Health Center [ Centro Nacional de Sanidad Vegetal ]. Cuba: Ing. Humberto Vázquez Vega, Director Ayuntamiento
No. 231 e/ San Pedro y Lombillo, Plaza de la Revolución, Havana City, Cuba.Tel. 00 537 791339, 784 976 E-mail:  cnsv@ceniai.inf.cuG/SPS/GEN/295/Add.13
Page 5
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
(Such information could include, inter alia, a more detailed description of the technical assistance
required, any relevant background information on the reasons for the request, the possibility of using a
regional approach to the provision of the requested assistance and the scope for a coordinated approachamong relevant international organisations.)
Plant health
Reasons for the request: focusing on the need for:
- Correct identification of the State System of Plant Health, through the operation of the SPS
Agreement;
- Appropriate application of the provisions of the SPS Agreement;
- National capacity-building to ensure the implementation of the SPS Agreement;
- Ensuring safe and secure trade;
- Achieving a better understanding of the rights, duties and obligations incumbent upon members
under the SPS Agreement;
- Enabling all officials and experts to gain a deeper understanding of the implementation of the
SPS Agreement;
- Gaining an awareness of the linkages between the SPS Agreement and other international
agreements.
__________