G/SPS/G EN/1523  
17 October  2016 
(16-5592) 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 67TH MEETING OF THE COMMITTEE ON  
SANITARY  AND PHYTOSA NITARY MEASURES , 
JUNE-SEPTEMBER  2016 
The following communication, received on 1 2 October  2016, is being circulated at the request of 
OIRSA.  
 
_______________  
 
 
1  TRAINING, TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND DISSEMINATION ACTIVITIES RELATING TO 
AGRICULTURAL HEALTH AND T RADE  
1.1.  A training course was held in the Departments of Atlántida and Colón, Honduras, on healthy 
citrus plant production . The course was designed for 33 nursery gardeners and technical staff  from 
the area, in the framework of the OIRSA -Chinese Taipei /ICDF  HLB Project.  
1.2.  "Field days"  (national workshops) were organized in El Salvador, Honduras, Guatemala and 
Panama on " Greenhouse Management  for the Production of Healthy Citrus Plants (Level 3)",  with 
the participation of producers and exporters  of fresh citrus fruit, academics, and representatives of 
the Ministries of Agriculture.  
1.3.  In Nicaragua, OIRSA participated in the "Plant Health Congress" for producers, nursery 
gardeners and technical staff , which examined the preliminary results of the study on the 
phytosa nitary status of citrus greenhouses in the country, and stressed the importance of  
producing  health y plants.  
1.4.  Training was provided in Panama for  second year students studying environment and 
watershed m anagement at the Faculty of Agricultural Science s of the University of Panama . This 
involved a "field day" at the Cítricos Gabriela  farm (a model farm for the HLB Project in Panama), 
during which students were provided comprehensive information on HLB and its vector.  
1.5.  In El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Pa nama, specialists from Chinese Taipei provided  
citrus fruit growers, nursery workers and technical staff with  technical advice on health y plant 
production, integrated HLB management,  and phytosanitary surveillance and diagnosis , in the 
form of a na tional w orkshop in each country  in the framework of the OIRSA -Chinese Taipei / 
ICDF HLB Project.  
1.6.  In El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Panama, technical staff in charge of the official 
laboratories of the agriculture ministries and secretariats received training in basic diagnostic 
techniques for HLB under the Chinese Taipei protocol, and DNA extraction in specific laboratory 
procedur es. 
1.7.  Three online training events were offered to the national coordinators of seven countries 
participating in the OIRSA -Chinese Tai pei/ICDF HLB Project , covering the production of healthy 
citrus plants and integrated Huanglongbing  management.  G/SPS/GEN/1523  
- 2 - 
  1.8.  A M arket Expo  Fair was organized in Belize,  with a stand at which  the 
OIRSA -Chinese  Taipei /ICDF HLB Project  was able  to promote integrated HLB m anagement and the 
different techniques implemented by the HLB Project in the country.  
1.9.  In El Salvador, technical staff from the CENTA -CAFÉ programme  received training  on 
extension, management and nutrition of coffee plantations and the epidemiology of coffe e pests 
and diseases.  
1.10.    In El Salvador, technical assistance was provided  in connection with the invasion of locusts 
(Schistocerca piceifrons ) with a view to  developing an emergency plan and training people to 
identify and manage the pest.  
1.11.   Technical surveil lance staff from  the OIRSA  member countries  were given regional online 
training i n the management of locusts ( Schistocerca piceifrons ). 
1.12.   A workshop was organized in Guatemala for technical staff and producers  on integrated 
management of the yellow sorghum aphid pest ( Melanaphis sacchari ). 
1.13.   Videos were produced  on best livestock practices in relation to cattle, pigs and poultry ; to 
the manufacturing of beef, pork  and poultry meat ; and to HACCP.  
1.14.   A virtual course for training trainers in good livestock, manufact uring and HACCP  practices  
(cattle, pigs and poultry) was set up and launched in cooperation w ith the IICA, UNAM and 
SENASICA.  438 selected  participants attended . 
1.15.   A videoconference entitled "Authorization and approval of food safety  cooperation agencies " 
was organized with the assistance of SENASICA of Mexico . 82 contact points reported.  
1.16.   A videoconference was organized on " Verification and inspection of com pliance with the 
Contamination Risk Mitigation Systems  (SRRC) in the regulations for aquaculture  pestic ides and  
SRRCs of recognized companies in the primary processing of aquaculture  products". 177 contact 
points reported.  
1.17.   With the support of SENASICA, a videoconference was organized on the topic 
"National  Toxic Residue and Meat Contamination Programme" . More than 250 contact points 
reported.  
1.18.   Translation and publication of five handbooks  on good animal welfare practices in 
cooperation with the Research, Education and Extension Support  Foundation (FUND EP) of Brazil.  
1.19.   Organization of four workshops on "The I mportance of Antimicrobial Resistance for Human 
Health and Animal Health", in keeping with the tripartite WHO/OIE/FAO One Health approach . 
These workshops were held in four countries of the OIRSA region : El Salvador, Guatemala, 
Honduras and Panama.  
1.20.   Organizati on of t he "First Course on Fish Pathology" in Tecámac, State  of Mexico , at the 
Integral Unit for Service, Diagnosis and Verification (UISDC) . The objective of this event was to 
build up the capacity to prevent and control the risk of diseases in fish farms . The course was 
attended by 57  participants from the public and private sector s and academic circle s of the OIRSA 
member countries.  
1.21.   Design and launching of t he "First online course in basic epidemiology" . 290 students 
participated.  
1.22.   Participation of OIRSA  in the "Second Congress of Livestock Breeders from the 
Central  American Beef Federation" to look at the bovine health situation in the region.  
1.23.   Finalization, with Francisco Gavidia University , of the online diploma in teacher training and 
the administration  of virtual classrooms . The course lasted 180 hours, and was designed for 
technical staff of the Ministries and Secretariats of Agriculture and Livestock as well as 
OIRSA  officials in order to  train tutors to run courses in  OIRSA's virtual classroom.  G/SPS/GEN/1523  
- 3 - 
  1.24.   An in ternational course on the identification of weed seeds of quarantine concern was 
organized in Tecámac, Mexico, and was attended by 11 officials from the Ministries and 
Secretariats of Agriculture and Livestock and the Agricultural Protection Services (SEPA ) and 
International Quarantine Treatment Services (SITC) of the OIRSA member states.  
1.25.   Training was provided for 23 staff members of the Institute for Agricultural and Livestock 
Protection and Health (IPSA) under the auspices of the FAO and OIRSA. The course  was conducted 
by OIRSA entomologist Mauricio Lagos.  
1.26.   Training was provided for 30 officials from the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Food , 
representatives of the universities of San Carlos, Landívar and Valle , and the Agricultural 
Protection Service . The training was conducted  by experts from  the University of Georgia.  
1.27.   Training was organized for 64 technical staff from the SITC in San Marcos, Guatemala, near 
the Mexican border.  
2  SUPPORT FOR THE HARMONIZATION AND EQUIVALENCE PROCESS  
2.1.  OIRSA took part in the 9th Meeting of Caribbean Directors on the subject Foc TR4. 
2.2.  It also took part in the national simulation exercise "Prevention of Outbreaks of Foc TR4", in 
Mexico.  
2.3.  A handbook was drawn up on  animal welfare procedures during the pre -slaughter and 
slaughte ring of cattle, with a view to export ing meat and meat products to the European Union.  
2.4.  A handbook of good practices was drawn up  for establishments engaged in slaughter, cutting 
and boning.  
2.5.  An OIRSA representative lectured at the workshop "Implementation o f the 
Codex  Alimentarius knowledge base to strengthen national food safety systems in the countries of 
Latin America and the Caribbean region: risk -based approach" . This workshop was organized by 
the FAO, the Executive Committee of the Codex Alimentarius C ommission and the 
Swiss  Confederation, and the lecture topic was "Risk-analysis and Food Safety: E xperiences in the 
OIRSA Region" . 
2.6.  OIRSA participated as an observer in the 39th Session of the Codex Alimentarius Commission 
in Rome, Italy.  
2.7.  Support was provid ed in the area  of sanitary and phytosanitary measures , the 9th round of 
the process of integration towards  the free movement and free transit of consignments,  goods and 
natural persons between the Republics of Guatemala and Honduras.  
3  PREVENTION, CONTROL AN D ERADICATION ACTIVITIES (PROGRAMMES OR 
CAMPAIGNS)  
3.1.  In Nicaragua, a greenhouse for the multiplication of citrus shoots (level 2) and the production 
of healthy citrus plants (level 3) was inaugurated on the premises of the National Agrarian 
University (UNA) located at Km 30 on the Tipitapa -Masaya highway , with a production capacity of 
40,000 certified healthy citrus plants per year.  
3.2.  The molecular diagnostics laboratory of the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Food in 
Guatemala was upgraded with reagents and specialized equipment as well as capacity building for 
five new types of diagnosis ( Xylella fastidiosa , the citrus leprosis virus, the citrus psorosis virus, 
the citrus canker bacterium, the citrus tristeza virus (CTV), and the citrus exocortis viroid) . 
3.3.  A technical audit was conducted in the Medfly -free area in the Aguan  Valley in Honduras, in 
support of the international recognition process by Mexico and Guatemala.  
3.4.  A review was conducted of the dossier  put together by Nicaragua  for the international 
recognition of the Medfly -free area of lake Xolotlan.  G/SPS/GEN/1523  
- 4 - 
  3.5.  A tri-national meeting was held between El Salvador, Nicaragua and Panama to assess the 
current status  of programmes for the control and eradication of fruit flies.  
3.6.  Support was provided in drawing up  a short-term action plan for pine beetle prevention, 
control and management in the countries of the OIRSA region.  
3.7.  Procurement and distribution of mist nets for vampire bats in order to strengthen the 
epidemiological surveillance of the disease in the official veterinary services in Belize, El Salvador, 
Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua.  
3.8.  Supportive management for the procurement of 10,000 doses of Bovine PPD for the 
Bovine  Tuberculosis Control Programme.  
3.9.  Support for the Department of Epidemiology and Quarantine of the Ministry of Agricultural 
Development (MIDA) of Panama in coordinating the actions of the Panama -United States 
Commission for the Eradication and Prevention of Screwworm  (COPEG)  with a view to 
strengthening the epidemiological surveillance of vesicul ar diseases and screwworm.  
3.10.   Support for the shrimp farming sector and professionals from Panama's aquaculture sector 
(APAPROC and APAPROEA) in seeking mechanisms for the prevention and control of acute 
hepatopancreatic necrosis disease (AHPND).  
3.11.   Drafting of an epidemiological surveillance survey proposal for Panama's shrimp farming 
sector with the support of OIRSA's ad hoc aquaculture  group, from May onwards . 
3.12.   Support for Guatemala in follow ing up the classical swine fever eradication plan and drafting 
a self -declaration as a CSF-free country . 
4  STRENGTHENING OF NATIONAL INSTITUTIONS IN ORDER TO FACILITATE TRADE  
4.1.  Coordination with the Pan  American Health Organization (PAHO) in helping to seek funding 
from the International Atomic Energy Agency (AIEA)  for the stren gthening of programmes to 
control and eradicate brucellosis and tuberculosis.  
4.2.  Drafting and submission of the proposed Animal Welfare Code for Cattle Producers for the 
National Livestock Commission of Nicaragua (CONAGAN).  
4.3.  Support  for Panama  in its efforts t o build up the Epidemiological Department of MIDA's 
National Animal Health Directorate, with the renewed publication  of the weekly and monthly 
epidemiological bulletin.  
4.4.  The Regional Animal Health Reference Laboratory (LARRSA) of the University of San Carlo s 
de Guatemala received support for the introduction of a neutralizi ng peroxidase -linked antibody  
(NPLA) and virus serum neutralization  assay . 
5  STRATEGIC ALLIANCES FOR THE PROMOTION OF HEALTH AND TRADE  
5.1.  A virtual meeting was organized between the FAO, the CC AD and OIRSA to coordinate action 
plans for the integrated management of pine beetle.  
5.2.  A regional workshop was organized for the Technical Group for the revision of the IPPC 
proposals for phytosanitary standards (ISPM) to be submitted at CPM -12. 
5.3.  OIRSA parti cipated in the Latin American Workshop on the revision of the IPPC's 
phytosanitary standards.  
5.4.  A report was submitted on the results of the work of the Interamerican Group for 
Coordination on Plant Protection (GICSV).  G/SPS/GEN/1523  
- 5 - 
  5.5.  The Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Food (MAGA) received support in coordinating the 
implementation of the project on honey chain traceability in Guatemala (STDF/PG/515).  
5.6.  The OIRSA -USDA cooperation agreement on the "Strengthening of epidemiological 
surveillance for foot and mouth disease , screwworm and other transboundary animal diseases"  
was implemented.  
5.7.  The "Regional project for the accreditation of laboratory diagnostic tests for animal diseases" 
(STDF/PG/495)  was implemented . 
5.8.  The FAO Action Plan on antimicrobial resistance, Regional A genda for Latin America and the 
Caribbean, was reviewed and comments submitted.  
5.9.  The implementation of technical cooperation project TCP/RLA/3502 "Strengthening of 
Agricultural Health Services between the Republic of Ha iti and the Dominican Republic" was 
coordinated with the FAO.  
5.10.   OIRSA participated in the NAPPO workshop on the implementation of ISPM 15 "Regulation of 
wood packaging material in international trade ", with emphasis on the Americas, in coordination 
with the Inter -American Institute for Cooperati on on Agriculture (IICA), the Andean Community 
(CAN) and the Southern Cone Plant Health Committee (COSAVE).  
5.11.   Staff from the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) of Australia 
conducted an audit on compliance with the methyl bromide fumiga tion standard at certain border 
posts in El Salvador, Mexico and Panama.  
5.12.   In Costa Rica, a diagnosis was conducted of the state of operation of the spraying devices at 
Moín and Muelle Alemán terminals, both located at  Puerto Limón, as well as the one locate d at the 
Paso Canoas land border between Costa Rica and Panama,  with a view to upgrading  them.  
 
__________