Key objectives:
1. Build Societal trust
2. Best practices in registration of pest control technologies
3. Development & Harmonization of regulatory frameworks for CPPs and the embracement of PRD/CBI
Steps towards regulatory Objectives :
1. Engage decision -makers & advocate for prioritization of pesticides
2. Enhance the capacity of regulators and other key stakeholders
3. Implement best practices & biosafety policies
Policy and regulatory frameworks often facilitate the development and uptake of innovations in agriculture.
Our focus is to support processes that ensure an enabling environment that meet the needs of society by providing access to technology through encouraging innovation while setting the standards for safety and sustainability. This should be established through development of relevant policies, law, regulations and practices which :
1. Ensure there are no unacceptable risks to human health and the environment from the intended use(s) under practical conditions
2. Foster responsible use and compliance throughout the food production chain as stipulated in the code of conduct (CoC)
3. Promote investment in new solutions for agriculture and plant science
4. Facilitate timely access to the technology
Thus, regulating technologies; including crop protection products should be grounded in science using an evidence-based approach that characterizes the product and its proposed uses and results in informed decisions based on full evidence. This also ensures that their safe use contributes towards sustainable food production through appropriate understanding and active management of any risks.
Promotion of Principles of Regulation
The regulatory program on the overall focusses on contributing towards the creation of an enabling environment to spur innovation while applying science.
It’s essential that regulatory frameworks for pesticides are grounded in science. A comprehensive regulatory framework closely examines all phases of the pesticides product life-cycle using an evidence-based approach. Safety is carefully considered at all stages of research and development and by manufacturing companies and regulatory bodies assessing the product in order to make a decision regarding what use(s) can be permitted.
The decision should be supported by the appropriate checks to ensure quality control, based on the standards for registration data and manufacture.
The industry is committed to upholding the application of principles of regulation in order that established regulatory frameworks provide access to technology in a controlled manner, encourage innovation and enterprise while setting the standards for safety and sustainability. The components of the regulatory program include:
Our efforts in collaboration with others around harmonization of regulatory frameworks for CPPs {conventional and biologicals} across the sub regions and the AME region as a whole, implementation of international regulatory guidelines and tools related to GHS, risk assessment, IPR and MRLs among others.
a. Uptake of best practices in science to guide product registration and post registration monitoring – risk assessment and pesticides analysis
b. Equip industry and farmers with legal and regulatory knowledge to enhance the levels of compliance to be established
c. Implementation of E-submission systems to support efforts to uphold safety especially during the COVID-19 pandemic
d. Implementation of the Globally Harmonised System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS)
e. Implementation of Mode of Action Labelling
f. Implementation of e-submission
The International Code of Conduct on Pesticides Management remains a global reference point on standards of pesticide management, regulations and regulatory processes. The focus under this theme is to move towards a common approach and sensible adoption of common principles applied to legislation and regulation in a variety of disciplines:
a. The development of new and the review of existing regulatory frameworks
b. Protection of intellectual property rights including CBI/PRD
c. Regulation of drones and other emerging technologies
d. Advocate for harmonization and implementation of pesticide & biosafety regulatory frameworks in the sub regions
We work towards ensuring that agricultural commodities traded locally and internationally are safe and that foods produced do not cause damage to the environment. The industry, farmers and respective regulatory authorities in the region are working diligently to ensure that the environment is protected and food commodities are safe. The action areas include:
a. Implementation of a program with value chain actors to manage residues through traceability and residue monitoring
b. The introduction of an E-learning course on MRLs and food Safety to bring all stakeholders up to speed on MRLs, as well as trade in agricultural commodities and consumer safety aspects.
c. Augmenting participation and contribution of key stakeholders in regional and international dialogue on food safety and trade including enhancing commitment to a Science-Based Codex System and the adoption and use of Codex MRLs
a. Dialogue with decision makers on human health, biodiversity, pollinator health
b. Capacitate and support national associations in regulatory issues.