MISSION REPORT
Reporting officer : Martha Byanyima, SPS Expert Brian Nsofu, Assistant SPS Coordinator
Dates of Mission : 29 – 30 January 2013
Venue : Nairobi, Kenya
Purpose : Regional meeting on Development of a Sampling and Testing Protocol for Aflatoxin
1. Background
In recent years, COMESA countries have experienced aflatoxin epidemics that had negative impacts on human health and trade. Prevention and control of aflatoxin requires a comprehensive, systematic and integrated approach, involving a broad range of stakeholders in Africa and globally.
A round table meeting was convened in June 2012 in Zanzibar to discuss harmonization efforts and to develop next steps the registration process of biopesticides in Africa. In that meeting, it was agreed that the development of commodity sampling protocol and establishment of harmonized testing methods across the region will help to ensure that analytical results are as accurate as possible and that traded commodities comply with international aflatoxin standards.
The African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF) in collaboration with United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and COMESA eventually organized an experts meeting in Nairobi Kenya from 29th to 30th January 2013, to deliberate and consolidate approaches for developing sampling protocols to aid identification of common testing methods for aflatoxin monitoring in Africa.
1 2. Attendance of the Meeting
The meeting was attended by;
o Ethiopia, represented by Haramaya University
o Kenya, represented by the Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate (KEPHIS)
o Malawi, represented by Department of Agricultural Research Services
o Mozambique, represented by Lúrio University
o Nigeria, represented by National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC)
o Rwanda, represented by Rwanda Bureau of Standards
o Senegal, represented by the Department of Plant Protection
o Tanzania, represented by the Tanzania Food and Drugs Authority (TFSA)
o Zambia, represented by Zambia Agriculture Research Institute (ZARI)
o Five scientists from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)
o One scientist from the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA)
o Two scientists from COMESA Secretariat, Zambia
o Two scientists and Logistics Officer from the African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF), Kenya
o One scientist from Southern African Grain Laboratory, South Africa
o One scientist from Medical Research Council, South Africa
o One scientist from North Carolina State University, USA
o One scientist from United States Agency for International Development (USAID)
2 3. Objectives of the Meeting
Specific objectives were to;
Initiate the drafting of a commodity sampling protocol for small-lots Better understand the Africa situation and things to consider when developing the sampling protocol Better understand the science and statistics behind the development of sampling protocols Review and evaluate current sampling protocols being used in Africa Review and evaluate current testing methods being used in Africa Identify appropriate testing methods, and discuss establishing a common set of methods to be used within Africa develop an action plan over the course of the next 2 years to develop and adopt the common sampling protocol and to establish common aflatoxin testing methods
4. Expected Output of the Meeting
Agreed activity plan with timelines and implementation modalities developed
5. Country Presentations
Country presentations where focused on defining the current supply chain or market system and where aflatoxin is tested:
Ethiopia: Aflatoxin analytical methods uses in Ethiopia i.e. practices and challenges.
Kenya: Operations of the Analytical Chemistry Laboratory (ACL) at KEPHIS in relation to mycotoxins.
Malawi: Sampling and mycotoxin testing in Malawi
Mozambique: Sampling for Aflatoxin specifically on detection methodology used in Mozambique
Nigeria: Overview of Aflatoxin Management in Nigeria.
Rwanda: Mycotoxin testing laboratories at Rwanda Bureau Of Standards
South Africa: 3 - Overview of current aflatoxin regulations highlighting maximum levels by State and harmonization efforts being undertaken in the region.
- Monitoring of mycotoxin levels in grain and analytical laboratory infrastructure
Tanzania: Sampling, sample preparation and testing for aflatoxins in Tanzania.
Zambia: Country report on Aflatoxin sampling
6. Key Observations, Issues and Outcomes
The meeting generated a number of important issues and insights:
(i) COMESA highlighted some of the challenges in tackling aflatoxin in Africa, and these includes lack of harmonized standards for aflatoxin, lack of harmonized sampling protocols and few accredited laboratories for testing for aflatoxin.
(ii) COMESA further gave recommended actions to move forward i.e. the AU working groups to develop recommendations on standards, commission and apply for any funding needed for necessary research (diet, heterogeneity) and submit these to REC’s for adoption.
(iii) It was very clear from the country presentations that countries had varying Aflatoxin limits and this was due to the different international guidelines that they referred to as well as on the import requirements of the importing country for that particular commodity.
(iv) COMESA informed the meeting that COMESA and EAC has agreed on an Aflatoxin limit of 10ppb
(v) Country representatives gave brief presentations on the Aflatoxin analytical methods being in their respective countries and the challenges.
(vi) From the country presentations, it was noted that most African countries lack established sampling protocols. Lack of awareness on mycotoxins was another challenge identified.
4 (vii) Most laboratories testing for aflatoxins are not accredited. Furthermore, tests for aflatoxins are quite expensive especially when handling few samples.
(viii) One of the major concerns raised by most countries was that most of the African population consumes their produce and commodities such as maize, groundnuts and cassava have high levels of aflatoxins.
7. Results of the meeting
(i) Sampling Protocol
The group proposed the following actions/activities:
1. Increase awareness to all growers on the risks of mycotoxins and the need for testing: Careful harvest when dry and store dry plus sorting to remove contaminated grains. The intervention will have to undertaken in year 1.
2. Mycotoxin data is currently discrete from across region. Individual countries should therefore provide data and summaries, and link to AU PACA to create network to guide regional policies. The intervention will have to undertaken in year 1.
3. Sampling strategy developed per country to identify where to sample (and where laboratory expertise needed). Also Identify costs per country. It was proposed that COMESA can coordinate based on its regional mandate. The intervention will have to undertaken in year 1.
(ii) Testing Protocol
The group proposed the following actions/activities:
1. A follow-up meeting to discuss outcomes of research for available screening methods/official methods done by each country’s representative. Three to six months for feedback on research/survey.
2. Inter-laboratory comparison should be organized within Africa, and the setting up of the Inter-laboratory Comparison should be within 12 months. This will help in identifying commonalities/differences between laboratories and countries.
3. A final protocol should be ready within 18 months.
5 (iii) Harmonization Strategy
The group came up with strategies towards harmonizing sampling and testing protocols and key interventions in the short and long term:
1. Strategy 1:
- Through contact points in each country specifically through the national SPS committee that usually comprises of representatives from the Ministries of Commerce, Health and Agriculture.
2. Strategy 2:
- To work under the umbrella of the AU PACA (ECOWAS and COMESA representing all REC’s on steering committee).
- Set up discussion process through cloud / e-discussion groups (these are existing e- group facilities at AU PACA, COMESA and SADC) of nominated technical experts with private sector from participating countries (national food safety regulatory framework which is linked in to regional discussion groups).
- Facilitation by a REC.
- Nominate a country as facilitator during COMESA SPS subcommittee meeting scheduled to take place in June 2013.
- All AU countries invited to join.
- Part of a wider solution is to take a holistic approach with other interventions.
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