Online training for Caribbean NPPOs

COLEACP is providing training in the Caribbean on Implementation of official controls for inspectors, controllers and technical staff involved in phytosanitary control, inspection and certification activities.

This online training for NPPOs will be provided between 25 January and 19 February. Spread over 4 weeks, it requires a daily time commitment of 3–4 hours. It is provided via COLEACP’s online training platform, and will be delivered through web conferencing, quizzes, educational videos and other digital tools. COLEACP’s expert trainers are always available to answer any questions about the training or the use of the platform.

The training is provided by COLEACP Relais National Jenna Wijgaarde of Capricorn Project in Suriname, and organised in collaboration with the Caribbean Agricultural Health and Food Safety Agency (CAHFSA).

By the end of the training, participants should be familiar with:

• the importance of International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures (ISPMs) and their application in relation to the requirements of the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) for contracting parties
• the regulatory context and the evolution of EU plant health legislation, in particular in relation to EU Regulation 2016/2031 and its implications
• the general principles of phytosanitary inspection and certification in relation to the main relevant ISPMs
• phytosanitary control, inspection and certification activities in accordance with procedures and instructions
• appropriate sampling plans
• additional declarations on phytosanitary certificates
• documentation, traceability and reporting of official control activities and results.

During 2021 and 2022, this first training course for NPPO managers and officers will be supplemented by five more courses for the Caribbean:

• Organisation of official controls, for those in charge of regulatory monitoring, design, development and updating of phytosanitary control and certification procedures
• Surveillance of organisms harmful to plants within the framework of an integrated pest risk management system, for officers in charge of official controls and surveillance procedures
• Internal audit of a system of official controls
• Strategy, business plan and financing of a system of official controls
• Establishment and maintenance of pest free country

Meanwhile, self-study courses are available free of charge for COLEACP members and partners on our e-learning platform.