This week, CropLife AME team met with the Moroccan Anti-Poison and Pharmacovigilance Center. The purpose of this meeting was notably to discuss farmers’ behaviours with regards to pesticides uses and to identify a strategy moving forward to ensure farmers adopt Good Agricultural Practices. The responsible and effective use of plant protection products is a key pillar of the Sustainable Pesticide Manage Framework launched in a Morocco end of 2022, aiming at protecting human health, preserving the environment while optimising agricultural productivity
CropLife AME and CropLife Morocco’s workshop on ‘Promoting the transition of Moroccan agriculture towards sustainable food systems: From theory to action’
Last week, CropLife Morocco and CropLife Africa Middle East organised a workshop on the topic of ‘Promoting the transition of Moroccan agriculture towards sustainable food systems: From theory to action’. In light of water stress, climate change, new pest pressures, and the rise of plant diseases in recent years, agriculture in Morocco is now dealing with multiple threats in 2024. The sector must tackle three challenges simultaneously: transitioning towards sustainable food systems, while reducing food insecurity, and remaining competitive in international markets. All these also with the ambition of achieving the goals of the Green Generation plan of the Kingdom of Morocco – which notably aims to increase agricultural productivity and create a middle class of farmers in Morocco. Achieving a balance between the economic, social, and environmental pillars of sustainability will be a key challenge for the future. Therefore, the objective of the workshop was to discuss such challenges but above all the opportunities. For this occasion, various actors across the food value chain, from producers-exporters to industry, as well as government representatives, regulatory authorities and research institutes, were gathered. It was noted that, to ensure a transition that leaves no one behind, it is necessary to implement a localised green transition adapted to the specific needs of Morocco, taking into account geographical, climatic, and economic aspects. Several key elements have been identified in this regard, such as:
In the afternoon of the workshop, the focus was on the Sustainable Pesticide Management Framework – launched by CropLife in Morocco end of 2022 – which illustrates CropLife’s ambition to protect human health, preserve the environment while optimising agricultural productivity, notably through research and innovation as well as increased cooperation between the public. By taking a localised approach, the SPMF therefore contributes to sustainable food systems, while contributing to food security and maintaining trade. Stay tuned for more about the SPMF in Morocco!
CropLife AME colleagues attended the annual scientific meeting and conference organised by the Middle East and North Africa Clinical Toxicology Association
Last week, CropLife AME colleagues attended the annual scientific meeting and conference organised by the Middle East and North Africa Clinical Toxicology Association (MENATOX Conference), in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. MENATOX aims to facilitate communication between all its members, promote collaborations that advance the care of poisoned patients, and establish meaningful research endeavours to achieve self-sustainability and better plan health care delivery. Evelyn Lusenaka, CL AME Stewardship Director, notably provided a presentation on Pesticides Primer for Clinical Toxicologists and Public Health Professionals: Proper Selection, Characteristics, and Safe Applications. The presentation provided the audience with a better understanding of pesticides, risks and hazards and responsible use. In addition to the presentation, CL AME held a side event titled The Roles of Poison Information Centres in the LMICs and EMRO Countries in Safe Management of Pesticides. Key outcomes from the presentation and side event were that CL AME needs to work closely to share information on pesticides with the clinical toxicologists. There is also a need to develop a database of the active ingredients and a guide on how the clinicians can manage incidences of poisoning. In addition, CLAME will work closely with MENATOX to build capacity of the poison information centres in data collection. CropLife AME is thriller to announce it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with MENATOX to collaborate in building the capacity of poison information centres across the MENA region in order to share knowledge and data on pesticide poisonings to augment stewardship activities in hotspot areas. The event was a great opportunity to share best practices on how as CL AME we work towards reducing the numbers of poisoning cases related to pesticides and to learn from experts in the field of clinical toxicology and public health research. The use of crop protection and biotechnology products is essential for maintaining and increasing agricultural productivity and improving farmer livelihoods on the African continent. However, this must be achieved with minimum risk to human health and the environment. To achieve this CropLife Africa Middle East, along with its member companies and associations, actively develops and promotes stewardship programs across the region. The industry recognises that effective stewardship is crucial for doing business in Africa and that it is especially important in low-income countries where regulatory enforcement may lack effectiveness.
CropLife AME took part in the Global Summit on Minor Uses in Madrid, Spain, to dialogue with stakeholders about productivity and trade in minor crops.
During the week of 5 February, Stella participated in the Global Summit on Minor Uses in Madrid, Spain. This was an opportunity to dialogue with stakeholders on potential solutions regarding the many challenges that negatively impact productivity and trade in minor crops. CropLife Africa Middle East values working together with various partners on capacity-building projects related to MRLs, consumer safety, and crop grouping. We welcome the next steps related to accelerating innovation by our members in providing technological solutions and enhancing MRLs knowledge among value chain actors.
CropLife Africa Middle East took part in the launch of an e-submission platform in Ethiopia, Addis Ababa
CropLife Africa Middle East is pleased to take part in the launch of an e-submission platform in Ethiopia. The launch took place on 1st February in Addis Ababa, led by the Ethiopian Agricultural Authority, and participations of CropLife Ethiopia and its members as well as CropLife AME. This is a major milestone in achieving the objective of digitalising the submission of dossiers, making the registration process of new technologies faster and therefore making new tools available to farmers in a quicker way!