G/SPS/GEN/1554  
22 June 2017 
(17-3343) Page: 1/5 
Committee on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures  Original:  Spanish  
 
  ACTIVITIES UNDERTAKEN BY THE INTERNATIONAL REGIONAL  
ORGANIZATION FOR PLANT AND ANIMAL HEALTH (OIRSA)  
RELATING TO THE WTO AGREEMENT ON THE  
APPLICATION OF SANITARY AND  
PHYTOSANITARY MEASURES  
REPORT TO THE 69TH MEETING OF THE COMMITTEE ON SANITARY  
AND PHYTOSA NITARY MEASURES, MARCH -MAY 2017  
The following communication, received on 2 1 June 2017, is being circulated at the request of 
OIRSA . 
 
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1  TRAINING, TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND DISSEMINATION ACTIVITIES RELATING TO 
AGRICULTURAL HEALTH AND TRADE  
1.1.  Within the framework of the  OIRSA -Chinese Taipei/ICDF HLB p roject, a  training day on c itrus 
huanglongbing (HLB) recognition and prevention was organized  for 17 Ministry of Agricultural 
Development (MIDA) officials  from the province of Darién in Panama . 
1.2.  Traini ng and supervision workshops  on foundation stock and citrus shoot multiplier 
greenhouses (level 1 and level 2, respectively) , led by a specialist from Chinese Taipei , were held  
at the National Agricultural and Forest Technology Centre (CENTA) in El Salvado r. Participants 
included technical experts  from the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAG), OIRSA  
representatives , and staff from private sector nurseries  in the country . 
1.3.  A course on the production of healthy citrus plants and integrated HLB managemen t was held 
in Honduras . The 24 course participants included  citrus fruit growers, nursery gardeners and 
technical experts  from the department of Comayagua . The aim of the course was to improve 
citrus  fruit production in the country and build national capac ity to address  the threat posed by 
citrus HLB . 
1.4.  Through the  OIRSA -Chinese Taipei/ICDF HLB p roject , OIRSA took part in the King's College 
Science Fair in Belize, where it shared  experiences regarding the production of healthy citrus 
plants and integrated HLB  management, and information on the STG programme for obtaining 
healthy plants with desirable characteristics . 
1.5.  A course on the production of healthy citrus plants and integrated HLB management was 
organized  for 30 technical gradu ates from the CURLA -UNAH U niversity . The event was held at the 
OIRSA -Chinese Taipei/ICDF HLB p roject greenhouses . 
1.6.  A certified healthy citrus shoot production scheme  was launched in Panama under the  
OIRSA -Chinese Taipei/ICDF HLB p roject, with a view to enhancing HLB control in the country . 
1.7.  OIRSA took part in the 2017 American Phytopathological Society congress in Costa Rica, 
where it shared  details regarding  progress made and challenges in relation to crop losses, 
phytosanit ary risks and tropical diseases . Particular emphasis was plac ed on the impact of diseases 
and pests such as coffee rust, Tuta absoluta  and HLB . G/SPS/GEN/1554  
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  1.8.  OIRSA gave a presentation on topics  including pests and diseases affecting countries in the 
region , and the early warning system for coffee crops, at the Meso -American Works hop on 
Technological Innovation for the Inclusive Management of Agricultural Health Risks Linked to 
Climate Change, held in Panama . 
1.9.  A training day was organized for Agricultural Pro tection Service (SEPA) and International 
Quarantine Treatment Service (SITC ) managers on the legal instrument governing the customs 
union between Guatemala and Honduras . 
1.10.   Students  from the faculties of agricultural and environmental sciences and foreign trade at 
the Rafael Landívar University in Guatemala were given training on me asures adopted  in 
compliance with international, regional and national standards following an official laboratory 
diagnosis . 
1.11.   OIRSA took part in the second virtual forum for regional international agricultural health 
organizations on risk analysis in the Am ericas , which was organized by the Inter-American 
Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA). 
1.12.   A second online course on good agricultural practices was organized in conjunction with the 
IICA. The course  provided training to more than 200 participants from the OIRSA region and other 
Latin American countries . 
1.13.   An online training course on cattle, swine and poultry production systems and the Hazard 
Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) System was organized for safety auditors . The course was 
attended  by more than 250 participants from the OIRSA region and other Latin American 
countries . 
1.14.   OIRSA supported the participation of officials from the pesticide and veterinary product 
residue analysis laboratories of four countries in the region ( El Salvador, Hondur as, Nicaragua and 
Costa Rica)  at the  6th Latin American Pesticide Residue Workshop : Food and Environment  
(LAPRW  2017), which was held in San José, Costa Rica.  
1.15.   A lecture on food safety was given to final -year students from the faculty of ve terinary 
medicine  and animal h usbandry at  the San Carlos University in  Guatemala . 
1.16.   A second online course on epidemiological surveillance in shrimp farming was completed by 
175 professionals from within and outside the region . 
1.17.   A training and refresher course on veterinary e pidemiology was organized for 36 year -six 
veterinary medicine and animal h usbandry students from the San Carlos University in Guatemala . 
1.18.   Awareness -raising talks on the importance of epidemiological surveillance in relation to  
vesicular diseases and screwwo rm were attended by  veterinarians and producers from 
four countries in the region ( El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras  and Nicaragua) . 
1.19.   OIRSA participated in the 14th Central American and Caribbean Congress on Apicultural 
Integration and Modernization , with a presentation on productive management and apicultural 
traceability . 
1.20.   In Guatemala, OIRSA gave a presentation on bovine brucel losis and  tuberculosis , which 
focused on national progressive contro l programmes for these diseases . The event was attended 
by 45 pe ople (animal husbandry specialists, veterinary surgeons and leading figures from the 
livestock sector ). 
1.21.   OIRSA supported the organization of a workshop on epidemiological surveillance for swine  
diseases , which was held in Guatemala on 2 6 May 2017 and attend ed by 52 professionals . 
1.22.   OIRSA participated in a National Bacterial Resistance Committee meeting in El Salvador,  
with a presentation on the results achieved at a workshop on the importance of antimicrobial 
resistance monitoring in human and animal medicine , which had been  held by OIRSA in 
September  2016. G/SPS/GEN/1554  
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  1.23.   Six technical meetings were organized in Guatemala to harmonize the Central American 
Technical Regulation (RTCA) on veterinary medicines . Participants included representatives from 
manufacturers of  these inp uts, academic institutions, professional associations and Ministry of 
Agriculture authorities . 
2  SUPPORT FOR THE HARMONIZATION AND EQUIVALENCE PROCESS  
2.1.  A Latin American and Caribbean workshop on the phytosanitary diagnosis  of Fusarium 
oxysporum  f. sp. cubense  tropical race four  was held at the National Phytosanitary Reference 
Centre  in Tecámac, Mexico State . 
2.2.  OIRSA participated in the International Cargo Cooperative Biosecurity Arrangement (ICCBA) 
workshop in Bangkok, Thailand, the main aim of which was to upda te the biosecurity arrangement 
to which 20 countries are party, which places emphasis on using  the fumigant methyl bromide in 
an effective manner . 
2.3.  OIRSA participated in a meeting on phytosanitary protection -related environmental problems, 
which was organiz ed by the IPPC in Argentina . Participants examined various aspects relating to 
environment al degradation , in particular the use of methyl bromide, the Convention on Biological 
Diversity (CBD) and invasive species, the protection of endangered areas, climat e change , and 
action taken in response to pests . 
2.4.  Four video -conferences were organized to harmonize criteria for the interpretation and 
implementation  of Central American Technical Regulations . Participants included heads of 
veterinary medicine and animal feed registration and control units or departments in 
Central  America, and industry representatives from each member country of the Central American 
Veterinary Industry Federation (FIVETCA ). 
2.5.  Support was provided to enhance the Honduran National Poultry Far ming Programme (PAN) 
and to harmonize epidemiological surveillance criteria for avian influenza and Newcastle disease . 
3  PREVENTION, CONTROL AND ERADICATION ACTIVITIES (PROGRAMMES OR 
CAMPAIGNS)  
3.1.  Certified c itrus shoots  (128,812 in total ) were provided  to nurs ery gardeners  in Guatemala, 
Honduras and Panama, in accordance with parameters established in domestic regulations on 
HLB control . 
3.2.  Within the framework of  the OIRSA -Chinese Taipei/ICDF HLB p roject , work began in 
El Salvador on the construction of a private  nursery where healthy citrus plants are to be grown in 
accordance with methods developed in Chinese Taipei . This initiative is being implemented by 
traditional nursery gardeners who have received practical training on HLB control . The nursery will 
have a production capacity of approximately 20,000 citrus plants a year . 
3.3.  Support, including of a technical nature, was provided to enable  nursery gardeners in the 
Republic of Guatemala to set up six new nurseries for the production of  healthy citrus plants free 
from HLB and other diseases . 
3.4.  In Belize, 105 shoot tip g rafting (STG) trials were conducted as a strategy for obtaining clean 
citrus material of cultural, national or regional importance in the context  of HLB  control . 
3.5.  Seven monitoring routes for the preventi on of HLB are maintained under the HLB project as a 
strategy for the early dete ction and control of outbreaks in areas free from HLB . 
3.6.  Squash Vein Yellowing Virus was detected  on the southern coast of Guatemala, after having 
destroyed watermelon crops in th e area . Recommendations were issued on how to manage the 
disease and  training was provided to cucurbit crop producers and specialists . 
3.7.  OIRSA continued to support epidemiological surveillance activities in respect of classical swine 
fever and related  diseas es, and the strengthening of sanitary emergency teams in Panama , 
Nicaragua, El Salvador, Guatemala and  Belize.  G/SPS/GEN/1554  
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  3.8.  Educational materials on bovine paralytic rabies were produced for El Salvador, Guatemala, 
Honduras and  Nicaragua.  
3.9.  An epidemiological survey on s hrimp farming  was designed  in conjunction with  Panama's 
public and private sectors . The survey, applicable to private farms, is followed up by risk analysis 
activities . 
3.10.   Steps were taken to monitor low-pathogenicity H5N2 avian influenza control and eradicat ion 
activities in Guatemala . 
3.11.   15,000 posters on bovine brucellosis were printed as part of efforts to strengthen control 
and eradication programmes and campaigns for the disease in Guatemala, El Salvador and 
Hondur as. 
3.12.   In conjunction with PANAFTOSA, OIRSA ar ranged for bovine paralytic rabies conjugates  to 
be obtained for Guatemala.  
3.13.   Support was provided to Guatemala, El  Salvad or, Honduras and  Nicaragua  to strengthen  
epidemiological surveillance in respect of  foot-and-mouth disease, cattle screwworm and other 
transboundary animal diseases . 
3.14.   OIRSA supported  El Salvador in the preparation of the first draft of the Ministry of 
Agriculture and Livestock work plan for the National Bacterial Resistance Programme to be 
implemented by the Ministry of Public Health with t he support of the various institutions involved . 
4  STRENGTHENING OF NATIONAL INSTITUTIONS IN ORDER TO FACILITATE TRADE  
4.1.  Nicaragua was provided with the means  to conduct a preliminary technical inspection of the 
fruit fly -free area in the northern part of Lake  Xolotlan,  with a view to improving procedures to 
obtain  international recognition by USDA/APHIS.  
4.2.  Fifteen  Data L ogger sets were assigned  to Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras and  Nicaragua, 
to be used as precision climate -measuring  instruments for various cr ops of interest . 
4.3.  Diagnostic kits  for the detection of Fusarium oxysporum  f. sp. cubense , such as the Banana 
Plant Tissue DNA Extraction & Purification K it and the Real -Time PCR Foc TR4 diagnostic kit, were 
purchased and delivered to Belize, Guatemala,  Honduras, El Salvador and Mexico . 
4.4.  OIRSA supported El Salvador following reports of higher than acceptable levels of  glycerol in 
Salvadoran honey, by forming a technical working group, conducting an investigation to determine 
the root cause of the problem , and establishing a road map for managing and controlling the 
problem . 
5  STRATEGIC ALLIANCES FOR THE PROMOTION OF HEALTH AND TRADE  
5.1.  The Taiwan International Cooperation Development Fund (Taiwan ICDF)  made a new financial 
contribution to the project for strengtheni ng HLB control and integrated citrus pest management , 
so as to ensure the continuation of activities under the OIRSA -Chinese Taipei/ICDF HLB p roject . 
5.2.  OIRSA coordinated and participated in a meeting of the banana phytosanitary committee in 
the Dominican Rep ublic, with a view to encouraging joint action  to boost productivity, 
competitiveness and environmental sustainability in respect of banana production, improve sector 
organizations , and facilitate producers' access to financing . 
5.3.  A letter of understanding o n technical assi stance was signed by MAG, OIRSA, the Embassy of 
the Republic of China (Chinese Taipei) in El Salvador,  and Salvadoran citrus nursery gardeners . 
The letter agreed on participation in the technical assistance programme via level 3 greenhouses , 
which would be used to ensure healthy citrus plants at national leve l. G/SPS/GEN/1554  
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  5.4.  The National Agricultural Health Centre (CENSA) of Cuba was provided with a  means of 
virtual communication to present the 2016 results of the inter -laboratory testing programme for 
classical swine fever (ILCT 2016)  to beneficiary countries . 
5.5.  OIRSA supported the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Food (MAGA) in the 
implementation of the Honey Chain T raceability in Guatemala project  (STDF/PG/515) . 
5.6.  OIRSA is implementing the Regional Pr oject for the Accreditation of Laboratory Diagnostic 
Tests for Animal D iseases (STDF/PG/495) . 
5.7.  OIRSA is also implementing a regional project on support for the development of 
antimicrobial resistance (AMR) national action plans in Latin America  and the Cari bbean 
(FMM/RLA/215/MUL).  
5.8.  The FAO-OIRSA technical coop eration project on the strengthening of agricultural health 
services between the Republic of H aiti and the Dominican Republic , is also being implemented . 
5.9.  OIRSA participated in the 44th Regular Meeting of  the South American Commission for the 
Fight Against Foot -and-Mouth Disease (COSALFA)  and the international seminar entitled "L ast 
stage of the Hemispheric Program for the Eradication of Foot -and-Mouth Disease (PHEFA) : The 
transition towards eradication ", held from 4 to 7 April 2017 in Pirenópolis Goiás, Braz il. 
5.10.   OIRSA also participated in the first regional workshop on a regional programme for resource 
mobilization and south -south cooperation for the strengthening of national systems for the 
surveillance an d control of pests and diseases (in relation to agriculture , animal s, aquaculture and 
forest s), which was organized by FAO and held in El Salvador on 21 and 2 2 March  2017. 
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