Advancing Africa Phytosanitary Programme: Dr. Osama El- Lissy Visits Kenya

The Secretary General of the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) Dr. Osama El-Lissy is in Kenya as part of the Africa Phytosanitary Programme(APP) that is being implemented in 11 African countries.  Kenya, through KEPHIS, is a member of the IPPC, the intergovernmental treaty that aims to protect the world's plants, agricultural products and natural resources from plant pests.

Globally, plant pests account for 40%-60% of crop losses; in Africa, the losses are highter at between 30%-60%. To mitigate this, the IPPC developed the APP to assist African countries to strengthen their plant health systems backed by science and technology. The tool is therefore specifically designed to assist African National Plant Protection Organizations to effectively deal with pests and facilitate safe trade. The phased approach is also being implemented in Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Cameroon, Mali, Sierra Leone, Democratic Republic of Congo, Egypt, Morocco and Guinea Bissau. 

This initiative by the IPPC will greatly impact  KEPHIS by enhancing its ability to enforce phytosanitary and plant protection measures. Moreover, it will facilitate safe trade by ensuring compliance with regional and international set standards to improve global market access.

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