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GFSI's position when national requirements differ from those prescribed by the GFSI
GFSI’s Technical Committee and Board of Directors, comprised of food safety representatives from some of the world’s largest food and beverage manufacturers and distributors, have worked to ensure that GFSI’s Covid-19 position places consumer safety at the heart of their decision-making. Their priority is to ensure that confidence in the food and beverage supply chain remains high in these uncertain times. GFSI’s position reflects what to do in the event that requirements stipulated by national regulations differ from those prescribed by GFSI. GFSI invites all stakeholders to consult this amended position, see link below ttps://o6sjjr51c02w1nyw2yk6jvmw-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/GFSI-COVID19-Position.pdf
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Africa: 15 million private students on campus, the challenge of distance education
“There’s bound to be a before and after Coronavirus. The digital support to systems and pedagogical models will finally be recognized and promoted in universities, the virtual always pulling upwards,” said Claude Lishou, professor at the University Cheikh Anta Diop of Dakar in Senegal, and holder of the UNESCO Chair “ICT and development of higher education in West Africa”, in an interview with News Tank, 31/03/2020. He believes that “African universities have the foundations to overcome the crisis, they can organize themselves quickly by implementing solidarity and harmonization. In the 19 French-speaking countries of sub-Saharan Africa grouped within the Cames (African and Malagasy Council for Higher Education), the situation is very different. While virtual universities in Senegal and Côte d’Ivoire continue to operate, others have come to a complete standstill.
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Jane Maina, Managing Director of VERT LTD in Kenya: "This Monday, the company has already had to lay off 7 people"
Vert LTD is a horticultural company based in Machakos, Kenya that specializes in growing and exporting fresh produce specifically for the European market. The company sells fine vegetables (French beans, snow peas, sugar snaps) to the EU market. In addition, they have started to process mangoes into pulp for national and regional markets since last year.Jane gives us an update on the current market situation for its fine vegetables.From a logistical perspective, there is a significant capacity shortfall due to the high number of cancelled flights (passenger flights), while freight costs have increased for the remaining cargo capacity. Only Saudia Charter is taking produce from JKIA to Amsterdam, where shipments are then trucked to various destinations in Europe. Moreover, road transport within the EU (e.g. from Amsterdam to Belgium or Scandinavia) has become more complicated due to the availability of trucks and border controls.At the market level, Jane noticed a reduction in demand in the EU because her customers in Denmark, Germany and Norway were selling mainly to wholesalers, restaurants and caterers. Only two customers out of the nine continue to buy fresh produce from her. One of them is Starfruit, which supplies Delhaize in Belgium. In this period, the company has an estimated demand of 1.5 tons per day (9 to 10.5 tons/week). This demand has been reduced over the last three weeks to 1.2 tons for 4 to 5 days/week, hence a total of 4.8 to 6 tons/week, i.e. 47% reduction. Moreover, the company will miss out on the run up to Easter, traditionally a period of high demand for Kenya’s fine vegetables for which growers planted several weeks ago.In terms of employment, the company has a high rate of permanent staff, that is only topped up with casual laborers during peak periods. Jane is reviewing the company’s contingency planning on a weekly basis. This Monday, the company has already had to lay off 7 people, including the newly recruited general manager (who had been working for the company since last summer). About 50% of the permanent staff is encouraged to take paid holidays.
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Regional responses
PAFO HIGHLIGHTS THE FAMILY FARMERS’ PRODUCTION SYSTEM The Pan-African Farmers Organization (PAFO) has issued a statement on the commitment and responsibility of African farmers to ensure food security during COVID-19 quarantine. The communication notes that “In addition to the front lines of our ‘white’ soldiers who provide medical and paramedical care to our fellow citizens, our farmers, the ‘green’ soldiers of our Nations are on the front line to avoid food shortages and will ensure food security in this time of crisis.” PAFO notes that agriculture is a priority sector, and the family farmers’ production system and supply of food products is an absolute priority during this period. PAFO will continue to create awareness on control measures and double its efforts in on-farm activities to produce more food, supply the available markets, and feed Africa.In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, PAFO and COLEACP are joining efforts to protect and strengthen national food production and distribution systems across African countries. In the short run, this means supporting the agricultural sector in protecting the health and safety of employees, workers, producers and their communities; safeguarding livelihoods as well as food security and nutrition. The initial focus is on disseminating information and training tools adapted and relevant to the preventive health and safety measures to implement at community, farm and company level. In parallel, specific business support to farmers’ organisations and MSMEs will address and mitigate the negative socio-economic impacts of COVID-19. Finally, a thorough impact study will inform the design of holistic recovery plans for the agricultural sector. ECOWAS DIRECTORATE OF AGRICULTURE AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT – SIX EMERGENCY MEASURES Agridigitale (3 April) reports that the ECOWAS Directorate of Agriculture and Rural Development has alerted decision-makers on urgent measures to avoid a food crisis. The Directorate suggests that a food security system is needed, and lists six emergency measures. Encourage producers to continue producing short-cycle products (plants and animals) to supply confined cities, equip them with protective equipment to support their mobility, and subsidise them. To avoid over-reliance on imported products and supermarkets, and to support local suppliers, maintain, organise, discipline and monitor local markets for vegetables and foodstuffs, including organisation of collective supermarkets and the necessary sanitary measures. Maintain, facilitate and supervise cross-border trade in foodstuffs. It is important not to close the borders to traders and workers, instead providing protective equipment, testing and treatment at the borders. Order enriched flour with high nutritional and energy potential from local processors and ensure distribution to the most vulnerable. Maintain surveillance and vigilance on pests and diseases of plants and animals, especially transboundary pests, which include armyworm, among others. Improve the use of media, especially television, to educate people on the best way to eat, to produce vegetables at home, etc.
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News from African countries
BENIN Since 30 March, part of southern Benin has been under partial containment. From 8 April, the authorities made it compulsory to wear masks in all public places in the 12 towns of the cordon sanitaire. However, only a third of the 30 million masks ordered by the state have been delivered so far. The interior minister has invited those who do not have masks to stay at home and has deployed the police for strict control. CAMEROON Wearing a mask is now mandatory and a massive testing campaign has been launched. KENYA New measures have been taken, such as the closure of all sports venues and walking trails. A large-scale testing campaign has been launched for health workers and the private sector. The government may launch mass testing in the four most affected regions. The population is encouraged to wear a mask.Okisegere Ojepat, CEO of the Fresh Produce Consortium of Kenya (FPC-Kenya), has stated that as Europe has now loosened its import requirements on fresh fruit and vegetables in order to draw more supplies, Kenya, as the biggest horticultural exporter in Africa, should rise to this rallying call to rebuild the food chain (Source: Farmers Review Africa, 6 April). MADAGASCAR Wearing a mask has been mandatory since 6 April in regions affected by the virus. However, the masks are out of stock and their price is rising. For the past 15 days, all means of transport (bush taxis and planes) have been at a standstill to limit movement of people on the island as far as possible. But since 7 April people far from home have been allowed to return to their home town using passenger transport. This is a worrying situation, as the authorities, who had planned to take temperature samples from each traveller, have been overwhelmed by the scale of the influx. MOROCCO As of 7 April, the wearing of masks became compulsory for all those authorised to leave their homes. The country officially has a production capacity of 3.3 million masks per day, which should double within a week, making the price affordable. Morocco has been one of the African countries to react quickly by ordering numerous screening tests, and a hospital assistance fund has been created. UGANDA Schools have been closed since 18 March, and measures include a full lockdown with non-essential service providers required to stay at home for the first 14 days of April. The government has followed the lockdown measures with some social protection interventions (e.g. providing food rations) targeting workers in the informal sector, who can no longer receive a daily income. SENEGAL On 5 April, it was decided to extend the state of emergency for 30 days. The curfew remains in effect from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Eight out of 14 regions are affected by the epidemic. TOGO The Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Togo has set up a questionnaire to measure the impact of COVID-19 on companies’ activities. Already some companies have stopped their activities while others have put their staff out of work. On 1 April, the President of the Republic announced the setting up of a 400 billion CFA franc Recovery and Solidarity Fund, which will be fed by the State, international donors, and the national and international private sector. It will support vulnerable households, craftsmen and enterprises. For the latter, fiscal and financial measures (loan repayment arrangements) are also being taken. Measures to support agricultural activities and food supplies are also being announced during the three-month state of emergency.
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Key messages and recommendations from the IPPC on COVID-19
The International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) Secretariat has published its key messages addressing the COVID-19 outbreak and lessons for the global phytosanitary community, briefly summarised here.1. Prevention is always better than cure! The COVID-19 global outbreak is showing the world how science-based preventive actions, including quarantine measures to contain invasive virus threats, are indispensable to protect the health of people, animals and plants alike. We should take particular note of this in the International Year of Plant Health 2020.2. International travel and trade: viruses do not carry passports, but plants and other regulated goods require phytosanitary certificates Viruses and diseases are most often spread unintentionally by people and goods moving in trade. In the area of plant health, we must also facilitate the safe trade of plants, plant products and other items, such as sea containers that can allow pests to be spread. Detection and quarantine are indispensable security measures to contain an epidemic – be it a human, animal or plant health emergency.3. What are the risks for inspectors of consignments at borders? For health and safety concerns, please refer to the WHO Guidelines on how to protect human health during the COVID-19 outbreak. The IPPC Secretariat suggests making use of the ePhyto electronic certification system wherever possible.4. What happens if a phytosanitary certificate for a consignment is delayed? Where possible, the IPPC Secretariat encourages countries to be as flexible as possible. Due to the numerous cancellations of flights and subsequent port delays caused by the coronavirus, some IPPC members are experiencing a situation in which the phytosanitary certificate (PC) for a consignment does not arrive in time. Some countries are encouraging their trading partners to send physical PCs with consignments to avoid delays.The IPPC Secretariat encourages countries to make maximum use of the IPPC ePhyto system, especially for countries that can receive PCs electronically and have the infrastructure to go paperless. Countries should notify the IPPC of their status in this regard via the ePhyto Hub. Countries that have not yet begun using the system are encouraged to investigate implementing ePhyto as a possible means of ensuring the efficient and timely delivery of consignments.5. Protecting plant health is essential for food security, particularly in emergency situations Plants are a primary source of income for nearly half of the global population and make up 80% of the food we eat. One of the potential consequences of this global emergency is the possibility of disrupted trade, which could compromise access to a safe and stable supply of food. It is particularly important at this time to not let down our guard and always remember that a threat to plant health is a threat to the health and prosperity of people, especially the most vulnerable.6. Pest outbreaks and economic losses: “Pay a little now or pay a lot more later” Don’t wait – act now to prevent pest outbreaks! If infections/infestations and outbreaks affecting both human and plant health are not detected and controlled in time, the eradication of a disease can take several years and cost millions of dollars, if it can be contained at all.7. Health is a global issue: the crucial role of the international community Global coordination is essential to tackle COVID-19. It is time for the international community to act more decisively in a coordinated manner. The plant health community can learn a lot from this – it is important for countries to follow the IPPC International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures, harmonising national measures at the global level.
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European fruit and vegetable market: "lack of demand from hotels and restaurants is driving prices down"
The coronavirus crisis is placing stress on Europe’s supply chains, with stockpiling leading to empty shelves, new border checks causing traffic jams for truckers, and fears of labour shortages (see Politico, 24 March). But according to Wouter Kolk, CEO for Europe of Ahold Delhaize, panic-buying is likely to subside within a week or two once people start trusting in the food supply again.Fresh products like dairy, fruit and vegetables are the most sensitive to any disruption in the European Union’s finely tuned supply system. Philippe Binard of Freshfel, which represents the fresh produce industry in the EU, says that while “there is no big risk of running out of stocks,” extra hygiene precautions, such as implementing social distancing at packaging facilities, may slow supplies. The coronavirus crisis is also making it harder to hire seasonal workers to pick fruit and vegetables due to travel restrictions.The UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has forecast “occasional shortages of certain products” such as vegetables, but crop price increases are not expected. For the moment, the main issue is not supply problems driving up prices, but the reverse: lack of demand from big sectors like hotels and restaurants is pushing prices down.How to handle worker shortages is one of the top concerns for the supply chain. It is crucial for workers to adopt social distancing measures so that the virus does not reach factory floors, which could lead to companies having to shut down and sanitise entire facilities. Another potential hurdle is if workers decide to protest over new measures.National border measures last week led to traffic jams stretching for more than 80 km at some crossings, although the situation has eased since then. On Monday the European Commission published guidelines saying EU countries should immediately implement “green lanes” to expedite the transportation of goods. However, some governments have been applying the measure extremely strictly, allowing trucks with food to go through, but at the same time delaying transport of raw materials or packaging materials.
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Rising prices for exotic vegetables
According to Netherlands-based Amar Import & Export, which specialises in African, Asian, Indian and Caribbean products, exotic vegetable prices are rising (see Fresh Plaza, 24 March). “The cargo flights from Suriname and the Dominican Republic have now been cancelled. That means exotic vegetables have also risen. Ginger prices had already increased dramatically,” said Amar’s Sandeep Singh.
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EU Member States should guarantee the fruit and vegetable supply chain
The Commission has issued new practical advice on how to implement its Guidelines for border management, in order to keep freight moving across the EU during the current pandemic (see press release, 23 March). To ensure that EU-wide supply chains continue to operate, Member States have been requested to designate all the relevant internal border-crossing points on the trans-European transport network (TEN-T) as “green lane” border crossings (see map). The green lane border crossings should be open to all freight vehicles, whatever goods they are carrying. Crossing the border, including any checks and health screening, should not take more than 15 minutes.Procedures at green lane border crossings should be minimised and streamlined to what is strictly necessary. Drivers of freight vehicles should not be asked to produce any document other than their identification and driving license and if necessary a letter from the employer. The electronic submission/display of documents should be accepted.The Commission has set up a network of national contact points and a platform to provide information on national transport measures taken by Member States in response to the coronavirus epidemic. The national contact points will support the effective functioning of the green lane border crossing points.The Guidelines state that Member States should act immediately to temporarily suspend all types of road access restrictions in place in their territory for road freight transport and for the necessary free movement of transport workers.Transport workers, irrespective of their nationality and place of residence, should be allowed to cross internal borders. Restrictions such as travel restrictions and mandatory quarantine of transport workers should be waived, without prejudice for competent authorities to take proportionate and specifically adapted measures to minimise the risk of contagion.In particular, the EU’s Communication to Member States on the implementation of green lanes states that “All freight vehicles and drivers should be treated in a non-discriminatory manner, irrespective of the origin, destination, or country of registration of the vehicle, or of the nationality of the driver.”Member States also plan to lift existing weekend bans. No additional certifications should be imposed on goods legally circulating within the EU single market. According to the European Food Safety Authority, there is no evidence that food is a source or a transmission source of COVID-19.
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IRU welcomes Commission’s guidelines, but ...
The International Road Transport Union (IRU) welcomed the Commission’s guidelines on green lanes and the announcement that all freight qualifies to access those green lanes, but stated that “We know by experience that maximum 15 mins per truck will continue to result in huge delays and the situation will remain unchanged. There shouldn’t be any systematic checks at borders” (see Fresh Plaza, 24 March). IRU General Delegate Raluca Marian said that “harmonising EU transit rights for non-EU vehicles serving European countries remains a matter of urgency. The support of third country nationals is of vital importance and application of rules should not be made conditional. Adopting any unilateral restrictions without coordination must be avoided at all costs.”
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Important information regarding use of Imazalil and Fipronil
A change in the Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs) for imazalil and fipronil on several crops will enter into force in the coming weeks. The lower MRLs mean that they can no longer be used on these crops when the produce is being exported to the EU. Note that it does not affect their use on crops destined for the domestic or regional market in countries where they are registered for use by the national authorities; MRLs in ACP countries are generally set according to internationally agreed standards (CODEX).This news provides information for ACP producers who are using these plant protection products on crops for export to Europe. It is important to be aware of the changes, and to make any necessary adjustments to production (using alternative control methods) in good time to ensure compliance with EU regulations. CHANGE OF MAXIMUM RESIDUE LIMITS (MRLS) FOR IMAZALIL On September 25 2019, the European Commission published a regulation setting new MRLs for imazalil. This change enters into force on 16 April 2020.Transitional measures are in place allowing the old MRLs to apply to products that were imported into the Union before 16 April 2020, except in the case of grapefruit, oranges, apples, pears, medlar, bananas, and potatoes. For these crops, the new MRL is applicable from 16 April.Imazalil is a fungicide used to control a wide range of diseases on fruit, vegetables and ornamentals. It is widely used in ACP countries and is of particular importance for the management of post-harvest diseases such as crown rot in banana.The table below lists the MRL changes that have been identified by COLEACP as most critical for ACP countries. The full list of changes can be seen in the new EU Regulation.In banana, for example, the new MRL is set at the limit of determination (LOD - 0.01 mg/kg). This means that it will no longer be possible to use imazalil for post-harvest treatments on banana destinated for the EU-market.Operators in ACP countries that use imazalil on these export crops must take note of the changes, and ensure that they use alternative control methods. If you require additional information, or face particular problems as a result of these changes, please contact COLEACP at: network@coleacp.org (link sends e-mail).Table 1. EU MRL changes for imazalil affecting key ACP export crops, coming into force on 16 April 2020
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KENYA: "Vegetable exporters can fill an airplane several times a week."
Logistics remains the main problem for Kenya’s vegetable exporting producers. Commercial passenger flights have not been allowed to land in Nairobi since last Wednesday. This was the most common means of transport used to send vegetables to Europe. Members of FPEAK (Fresh Produce Exporters Association of Kenya) are convinced that they can easily fill a plane (100 tons) several times a week.All stakeholders in the Kenyan horticultural sector are mobilizing to try to maintain jobs and incomes and avoid unemployment and social unrest.According to the AEA (Agricultural Employers Association) supermarkets mainly in the UK, Sweden and Russia have maintained orders for Kenyan fresh produce. The organisation says it is confident that, after some adjustments, European demand for fruit and vegetables should pick up again. In contrast to the flower sector, where the situation is considered catastrophic.