WORLD TRADE  
ORGANIZATION  G/SPS/GEN/1078 
23 March 2011 
 (11-1423) 
Committee on Sanitary a nd Phytosanitary Measures Original:   Spanish 
  
 
TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE ACTIVITIES UNDERTAKEN BY THE INTERNATIONAL 
REGIONAL ORGANIZATION FOR PLANT AND ANIMAL HEALTH (OIRSA) IN 
RELATION TO THE WTO AGREEM ENT ON THE APPLICATION OF 
SANITARY AND PHYTOSANITARY MEASURES 
 
Report to the 50
th Meeting of the Committee on  
Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures ,  
30 and 31 March 2011  
  
 The following communication, received on 22 Marc h 2011, is being circulated at the request 
of OIRSA
. 
 
_______________ 
  1. Specific support for agricultural production chains 
1. In conjunction with national sanitary and phytosanitary aut horities and the private sector, 
OIRSA is continuing to implement sanitary and phytosanitary programmes in support of agrifood 
chains.  The following action has been taken over the past three months. 
Phytosanitary programme in support of the pineapple production chain
 
2. Pursuant to the declaration of a phytosanita ry regional emergency for pineapple Fusariosis 
(Fusarium guttiforme ), issued at its 57th Ordinary Meeting by the International Regional Committee 
for Plant and Animal Health (CIRSA), made up of  the Ministers/Secretaries of Agriculture and 
Livestock, OIRSA coordinated and financed a te chnical visit to Brazil by regional officials 
responsible for phytosanitary diagnosis, in order to learn about morphological characteristics for identification of the pathogen, selective media and molecular markers (PCR), as well as disease 
recognition and instructions in the field. 
3. A technical document was prepared entitled "Fusariosis de la Piña:  Fusarium guttiforme , Una 
grave amenaza para la producción de piña en los países de la región del OIRSA" (Pineapple Fusariosis, Fusarium guttiforme , a serious threat to pineapple production in the countries of the 
OIRSA region). 
Phytosanitary programme in support of the citrus fruit production chain
 
4. OIRSA and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) coordinated and supported the 
participation of the regional technical group on fru it flies in the Eighth International Symposium on 
Fruit Flies of Economic Importance, held in Vale ncia, Spain.  The participants also received 
in-service training, in Murcia and Almería, on ne w technologies for massive trapping of fruit flies 
using protein, without insecticide, and with an e xposure period of four months in the field without G/SPS/GEN/1078 
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  adulteration.  Regional studies are currently being ca rried out to evaluate the adaptability of the traps 
and attractants. 
5. Technical assistance was provided to officials responsible for the phytosanitary programmes 
in Mediterranean fruit fly-free areas:  Belize, Xolo tlán Valley (Nicaragua), Espíritu Santo Island and 
San Pedro Puxtla (El Salvador).  The technical  assistance included training on taxonomy, ecology, 
control, trapping and sampling of fruit flies of economic and quarantine importance, as well as the 
implementation of quarantine measures. 
6. Under the training and dissemination progra mme, technical material on the regional 
programme of certification of citrus fruit nurseries c ontinued to be distributed, in order to prevent 
transmission of Huanglongbing and other diseases tran smitted by graft.  Material was also produced 
in Panama which included recommendations on prev enting premature fall of oranges caused by the 
Leptoglossus zonatus  bug and calcium deficiency. 
Phytosanitary programme in support of the vegetable production chain
 
7. Pursuant to Resolution No. 10, Tuta absoluta  survey, of the 52nd Ordinary Meeting of the 
CIRSA, the OIRSA, in addition to developing a uniform detection procedure, acquired and made 
available to some countries traps and pheromones sp ecific to the pest, in order to facilitate the 
detection process.  Virtual technical meetings have al so been held with South American specialists on 
the pest, for the exchange of knowledge and experi ences.  A protocol on action to be taken in the 
event of the detection of tomato leafminer ( Tuta absoluta ) is also available. 
8. OIRSA is continuing to support implementation of the programme to eliminate the 
South American cucurbit fruit fly, Anastrepha grandis , in the Panamanian province of Darién.  The 
programme, which includes massive trapping (1,618  multi-lure traps for national monitoring) has 
enabled the country to maintain access to intern ational markets, thereby avoiding an estimated 
US$498 million in economic losses. 
Swine health programme  
9. In the context of the PREFIP III Project, which is being implemented by OIRSA with support 
from the Government of Chinese Taipei, the swine health programmes of Nicaragua and Honduras are 
being supported with a view to their self-declaration as countries free from classical swine fever, which is expected to be achieved in the first half of 2011. 
10. In the Dominican Republic, OIRSA is supporting the restructuring and updating of the 
National Programme for the Prevention, Control and Eradication of Classical Swine Fever. 
Bovine health programme
 
 
11. With the support of OIRSA and the Ministries or Secretariats of Agriculture and Livestock, 
studies are being conducted to determine the preval ence of bovine brucellosis and tuberculosis in 
El Salvador and Nicaragua, while studies for H onduras, Guatemala and Belize have been developed 
and approved and are aw aiting implementation. 
12. In order to strengthen veterinary diagnostic ca pacity in respect of bovine brucellosis and the 
pursuit of regional harmonization of diagnostic t echniques in accordance wi th the OIE diagnostic 
manual, OIRSA is testing and evaluating the "i ndirect and competitive ELISA" techniques.  In 
addition, equipment, materials and laboratory reag ents are being supplied to those countries in the 
region that face the greatest constraints.  G/SPS/GEN/1078 
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  Poultry Health Programme  
13. Under the Regional Avian Disease Programme (P REA) and the Regional Health Programme 
for Backyard Poultry (PRESAAT) which are being implemented by OIRSA in cooperation with the Government of Chinese Taipei, technical audits were developed for poultry health programmes in 
Guatemala and El Salvador. 
14. Avian disease surveillance and diagnostic sy stems have been strengthened through support 
for monitoring and risk characterizations. 
15. Prophylactic campaigns are being develope d for the prevention of diseases such as 
Newcastle disease, coryza and fowl cholera in pilo t areas of the backyard poultry programme, for the 
benefit of small rural poultry farmers in countries covered by the programmes. 
16. Courses on poultry health, management and nut rition were provided for technicians, 
small-scale poultry farmers and communal leaders.  Technical and instructional material was also distributed in support of the training programme. 
2. Training, technical assistance and dissemination activities relating to agricultural health 
and trade. 
17. In Nicaragua, regional courses were held on:  updating diagnostic techniques for classical 
swine fever and risk analysis;  these events laid th e groundwork for the preparation of risk analyses in 
countries that have been decl ared free from the disease. 
18. In Honduras, a regional training workshop  was held on good apicultural practices, 
manufacturing and Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP). 
19. OIRSA prepared and distributed the followi ng technical handbooks:  Swine Management - 
Semi-Technified Sector, Backyard Pig Breeding, Pi g Feeding with Available Farm Resources and the 
Handbook on Pig Farm Structures. 
20. In Belize, the training of trainers workshop was held for fish product safety inspectors on the 
"Intermares" boat with the support of the Spanish Ministry of the Environment and the Rural and Marine Sectors (MARM). 
21. In Honduras, in coordination with the Food Sa fety Division of the National Agricultural 
Health Service (SENASA) and with support from th e National Association of Aquaculture Producers 
of Honduras (ANDAH), the second pre-audit visit w as made to cultured shrimp farms and packing 
plants. 
22. The Regional Workshop for Apiculture Traine rs, focusing on the production and primary 
processing of honey, was held in Honduras, and also  dealt with the transfer of knowledge of Good 
Manufacturing Practices (GMPs), Sanitation Standa rd Operating Procedures (SSOP) and HACCP. 
23. In Honduras, technical support was provided to SENASA for an inspection visit by the 
United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to  fruit and vegetable farms and packing plants. 
24. At the second Pre-Harvest Agricultural Traini ng Session organized by the Honey Chain of 
El Salvador and the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock of El Salvador, training was provided on 
the preparation of beehives for the sanitary manage ment of honey, so as to guarantee its quality and 
compliance with national and international standards, particularly in Europe, the main destination of 
Salvadoran honey exports. G/SPS/GEN/1078 
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  25. The Manual of Good Manufacturing Practices for Honey Export Plants has been updated by 
the OIRSA Ad Hoc Group on Apicultural Health and Safety. 
26. In Panama, a pre-audit was conducted on food safety in the papaya and cucurbit agrifood 
chains. 
27. A regional workshop on management of locusts, Schistocerca piceifrons  (Walker, 1870), was 
held in Mexico in coordination with that country 's National Agriculture and Food Health, Safety and 
Quality Service (SENASICA).  Instructional material on this pest was also prepared.  OIRSA provides assistance to members for the surveillance and control of S. piceifrons piceifrons , and more 
particularly to countries with areas where this ins ect in endemic, in order to prevent and control 
population increases. 
28. A regional workshop on palmaceae  pests was organized in coordination with the Ministry of 
Agriculture and Livestock (SAG) of Hond uras, the Honduran Agricultural Research 
Foundation (FHIA) and the Pan American School  of Agriculture.  The cultivation of parmaceae  
(especially Cocos nucifera and Elaeis guineensis ) is of great socio-economic importance in various 
OIRSA member countries. 
29. The "Contingency Plan for Any Outbreak of Lethal Yellowing of the Coconut Palm (ALC) in 
a Country in the OIRSA Region" has been drawn up;  copies may be obtained at the following link:  "http://www.oirsa.org/aplicaciones/subidoarchivos/B ibliotecaVirtual/PlancontingenciaALCOIRSA20
10.pdf " 
3. Strengthening of national institutions in order to facilitate trade 
30. STDF project 284, "Strengthening the Hondur an National Committee on Sanitary and 
Phytosanitary Measures", continues to be implemen ted with the support of the Standards and Trade 
Development Facility (STDF).  The National Co mmittee has perfected a new working procedure 
allowing for the full and participative discussion of trade and SPS issues in Honduras. 
4. Support for regional trade facilitation 
31. With a view to facilitating trade in dairy products between El Sa lvador and Nicaragua, 
OIRSA provided support for the adoption of a sanitar y protocol to facilitate bilateral trade between 
the two countries. 
5. Support for the harmonization process 
32. OIRSA collaborated with the IPPC in translati ng three draft standards into Spanish, which 
were submitted for country consultation in 2010.  It also translated into Spanish the prototype of the 
phytosanitary capacity evaluation (PCE) tool.  The Secretariat gave a demonstration of the PCE to 
NPPO officials from member countries via a teleconference sponsored by OIRSA. 
6. Strategic alliances for the promotion of health and trade 
33. OIRSA is holding coordination meetings with Empresa Brasileira de Pesquisa Agropecuária 
(EMBRAPA) with the aim of identifying possible technical cooperation programmes, for example in 
the development of Huanglongbing research and biological  control of the vector, Asian citrus psyllid. 
34. OIRSA signed a cooperation agreement in the area of food safety with the Foreign 
Agricultural Service (FAS) and the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), which are both 
agencies of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).  The agreement will provide  G/SPS/GEN/1078 
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  support for OIRSA countries in revising or establis hing new technical standards on food safety and 
development consistent with international st andards, including those of the United States. 
 In order to comment on this report or obtain additional information on plant health activities, 
please contact:  Edwin Aragón, e-mail:  earagon@oirsa.org . 
 
 For more information on food safety, please contact:  Oscar García, e-mail:  
ogarcia@oirsa.org . 
  For any queries on animal health activities, please contact:  Abelardo de Gracia, e-mail:  
adegracia@oirsapanama.org.pa
. 
 
 We invite you to visit our website:  http://www.oirsa.org/ . 
 
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