Mycotoxins are naturally occurring toxins produced by certain moulds (fungi) which can be found in food and comprise key issues of trade concern in the COMESA region.
COMESA Secretary General Chileshe Kapwepwe and Texas A&M Agrilife Research Director Dr. Cliff Lamb signed the MoU on Monday June 27, during a virtual event held in Lusaka, Zambia, Texas and USA.
The agreement will be set to address barriers experienced within the COMESA Region and build ample capacity to measure and manage aflatoxin and fumonisin risk.
Among them are un-affordable assessment systems, laboratory testing, certification schemes, inspection, market surveillance and sampling.
Speaking during the ceremony Mrs Kapwepwe expressed confidence in the partnership, noting that the aforesaid challenges will be addressed in due course.
“The areas of cooperation outlined in the MoU document are very critical, pertinent, and timely as they seek to address key challenges that COMESA Member States continue to face especially on the low levels of trade at regional, continental and global levels,” she said.
On his part Dr. Lamb said the partnership is a great opportunity that will facilitate economic growth in the region and also benefit the population of Texas.
“For us engaging in an MoU with COMESA will enhance the capacities of all the countries within the region and also help Texas A&M Agrilife in multiple ways for global food security and food safety, which are really important for us,” he said.
Specific areas of cooperation articulated in the MoU include a co-regulation for trade in aflatoxin and fumonisin safe staples (maize, soya bean, sorghum and groundnuts) and the Aflatoxin Proficiency Testing and Control in Africa programme (APTECA).
Under the pact, there will also be virtual training courses in regulatory science in food systems, laboratory quality management systems, and risk-based approaches to regulation, which will be done in collaboration with the COMESA Virtual University.
No comments:
Post a Comment