Assistant Minister of Agriculture and Livestock from Republic of Burundi Hon Boniface Mwikomo makes his remarks
Photo opportunity; Participants of the workshop
East African Community, Bujumbura, 6 March 2014: A regional inception workshop on Aflatoxin control project scheduled is underway at the Sun Safari Hotel in Bujumbura, Burundi.
Addressing the 6-7 March workshop, the Assistant Minister of Agriculture and Livestock of the Republic of Burundi, Hon. Boniface Mwikomo said “the inception workshop is a good launch pad for the project’’. Adding that “we expect the project to tremendously contribute to food security and safety through aflatoxin control and prevention in our region”.
The Hon. Minister reiterated the need to pay attention to public awareness creation, capacity building, research and development as well as setting appropriate standards and regulations to ensure that products comply with both regional and international market requirements.
He called for regional coordinated efforts and integrated approaches for managing real and perceived risks to public health, food security, trade and economic development.
The Assistant Minister urged the East Africa Community to work closely with the African Union in compliance with AU–RECs Protocol and ensure that “our regional priorities add value and complement continental priorities on Afflation Control”.
The EAC Deputy Secretary General in charge of Productive and Social Sectors, Hon. Jesca Eriyo said Aflatoxin control project is in line with the EAC Regional Integration Goals. She noted that the EAC Secretariat and Partner States had developed a number of instruments aimed at increasing the supply of value added exportable products and improved market access.
Hon. Jesca Eriyo, who was represented by the EAC Principal Agricultural Economist Mr. Moses Marwa, informed the workshop that one of the recent outstanding developments in the region was the adoption of the Protocol on Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) Measures by the EAC Council of Ministers.
The EAC official noted that the Protocol will contribute towards rational development of the agricultural sector and increase quality production to ensure food security and safety and free trade in agricultural products in the EAC and other trading partners.
He called for regional coordinated efforts and integrated approaches for managing real and perceived risks to public health, food security, trade and economic development.
The Assistant Minister urged the East Africa Community to work closely with the African Union in compliance with AU–RECs Protocol and ensure that “our regional priorities add value and complement continental priorities on Afflation Control”.
The EAC Deputy Secretary General in charge of Productive and Social Sectors, Hon. Jesca Eriyo said Aflatoxin control project is in line with the EAC Regional Integration Goals. She noted that the EAC Secretariat and Partner States had developed a number of instruments aimed at increasing the supply of value added exportable products and improved market access.
Hon. Jesca Eriyo, who was represented by the EAC Principal Agricultural Economist Mr. Moses Marwa, informed the workshop that one of the recent outstanding developments in the region was the adoption of the Protocol on Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) Measures by the EAC Council of Ministers.
The EAC official noted that the Protocol will contribute towards rational development of the agricultural sector and increase quality production to ensure food security and safety and free trade in agricultural products in the EAC and other trading partners.
“I want to emphasize that the EAC Secretariat has prioritized the control and prevention of aflatoxin and we take cognizance of the unprecedented threat aflatoxin poses to health, trade and food security in the region”
Speaking on the communication and outreach programme under Aflatoxin project, the EAC official reported that a robust communication strategy was being developed to inform strategic and targeted mechanisms for awareness creation. “We expect that this will result to heightened levels of awareness and sensitization on matters touching on aflatoxin at various levels” added Hon. Eriyo.
Hon. Jesca Eriyo assured the participants of the workshop that the EAC Secretariat will implement the Aflatoxin project in an inclusive, participatory and consultative manner by involving a wide range of stakeholders including international organizations, competent government agencies, the private sector and representation from farmers, consumers and the media.
Representative of the United States Government Ms Allison A. Thomas commended the EAC for taking a leadership role in reducing the impact of aflatoxin in the region. “I believe the efforts of the EAC in conjunction with International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) expertise will bolster and advance sound policy solutions for biocontrols and other solutions throughout East Africa’’
The workshop is being attended by Partner States officials, experts, the African Union, the Development Partners supporting the project (USAID) and International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), and the media.
Speaking on the communication and outreach programme under Aflatoxin project, the EAC official reported that a robust communication strategy was being developed to inform strategic and targeted mechanisms for awareness creation. “We expect that this will result to heightened levels of awareness and sensitization on matters touching on aflatoxin at various levels” added Hon. Eriyo.
Hon. Jesca Eriyo assured the participants of the workshop that the EAC Secretariat will implement the Aflatoxin project in an inclusive, participatory and consultative manner by involving a wide range of stakeholders including international organizations, competent government agencies, the private sector and representation from farmers, consumers and the media.
Representative of the United States Government Ms Allison A. Thomas commended the EAC for taking a leadership role in reducing the impact of aflatoxin in the region. “I believe the efforts of the EAC in conjunction with International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) expertise will bolster and advance sound policy solutions for biocontrols and other solutions throughout East Africa’’
The workshop is being attended by Partner States officials, experts, the African Union, the Development Partners supporting the project (USAID) and International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), and the media.
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