WORLD TRADE
ORGANIZATIONG/SPS/GEN/295/Add.4/Rev.1
5 March 2002
(02-1110)
Committee on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures Original:  English
TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE – RESPONSE TO THE QUESTIONNAIRE
Submission by Trinidad and Tobago
RevisionG/SPS/GEN/295/Add.4/Rev.1
Page 2Technical assistance requirements:
Information Training Infrastructure: (Hard and/or Soft) Specific concern Other
Rights,
obligations and
practical
operation ofthe SPS
Agreement/g52/g52 /g52
Food safetyRisk Assessment of pesticides • Developing a regulatory
framework to modernize laws andregulations in keeping with
international standards guidelines
and regulations
• Training of technical and scientific
personnel re:
- Pesticides permitted for use
- Restriction of pesticide use by
crop
• Developing a registration and
framework for Maximum Residue
Limits (MRLs) in foods
• Developing inspection, sampling
and investigative procedures foruse of pesticides in foods
• Training of analytical chemists
and microbiologists re:
- Pesticide residues in food
- Aflatoxins in agricultural 
produce
- Food standards of processed 
products
- Food microbiologyG/SPS/GEN/295/Add.4/Rev.1
Page 3Technical assistance requirements:
Information Training Infrastructure: (Hard and/or Soft) Specific concern Other
Food safety
(Cont'd)• Upgrade laboratory equipment in
food and pesticide testing
• Providing laboratory methods and
improving laboratory practices e.g.
- Developing inspection, 
sampling and investigative procedures for foods
• Establishing quality assurance
programmes and analytical
procedures for  Inspectors
• Updating food control law and
regulations
• Develop information systems
related to pesticides and foodsafety programmes
• Strengthening national contact
points and national Codex co-
ordinating Committees
• Develop consumer education
programmes
Animal healthSPS information at all
levels - technical,
policy, public, mediaand private sector• Implementation of transparency
provisions
• Application of risk analysis
• Determination of appropriate 
level of protection
• Recognition of equivalence and
regionalization• Training of technical and
scientific experts in disease
surveillance activities and the
setting up of epidemiologicalmonitoring systems, risk
assessment and HACCP
techniques.
• Veterinary drug registration and
development of veterinary drug
residue testing capabilityEnhancing awareness and
understanding of
Member's rights andobligations under the SPS
AgreementG/SPS/GEN/295/Add.4/Rev.1
Page 4Technical assistance requirements:
Information Training Infrastructure: (Hard and/or Soft) Specific concern Other
Plant healthSPS information at all
levels – technical,
policy and public - for
full appreciation/implementation of the
SPS Agreement• All SPS related training in
technical and policy matters e.g.
- PRAs
- Equivalence
- Determining appropriate
levels of protection• Training in pest identification
capability
• Training in diagnostics for plant
quarantine
• Training in phytosanitary
treatment, inspection and
certification
• Developing surveillance/
monitoring systems with relevant
laboratory and testing equipment
• Computerization of records and
plant protection databases or
access to same
• Developing a public awareness
programmeImprove awareness of
SPS obligations and
understanding of the
issues involved and themeans to convert these to
action in the practical
sphere of operations
Contact detailsMs Cynthra Persad, Deputy Dire ctor Research Division,
Ministry of Agriculture, Land and Marine Re sources, Central Experiment Station, Centeno
Trinidad and Tobago
Tel:  (868) 642-6008;  Fax:  (868) 646-2149
E-mail:  mfpmrenquirypoint@tstt.net.ttG/SPS/GEN/295/Add.4/Rev.1
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 approach among relevant international organisations.)
With regard to Plant Health, training on SPS maters has been minimal.  Information on SPS matters
remained at the technical level without further explanation, discussion or implementation.  It has not
filtered down to the wider public.  Consequently, the SPS Agreement remains mostly a concept atboth the technical and policy levels.  Accordingly, assistance is needed to fully explain these
concepts;  to convince clients and stakeholders to support, comply and contribute in everyone's
interest.  Clear details and definition of the contents of the SPS Agreement are needed to at least
meet minimum acceptable international standards/requirements.  (On occasion, the standards are
neither quantified nor measurable.)
Therefore accreditation is also needed in every sphere, so that methods, procedures, test results and
data can all meet the necessary standards.  Participation in a critical external assessment of our plant
quarantine system (as it relates to the SPS Agreement) will be beneficial.  This could result in clear
validated recommendations in terms of manpower, training, equipment and operational procedures.Our own assessment indicates certain weaknesses and suggests that assistance is needed in the
following areas:
• Training in surveillance - so that a team can be established
• Training in pest identification for plant quarantine purposes
• Training in pest risk analyses for additional persons to establish a dedicated, functional unit
• Training in information/data management
• Training in plant quarantine procedures and operation manuals
• Training in management
• Training in establishment and management of pest free areas
• Improved laboratory support
• Computerization of records/activities
• Improved communication and access to information
• Accreditation of plant quarantine systems and personnel
Other countries in the region have also completed phytosanitary assessments and there could be a
real possibility for a coordinated regional approach.
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