Training Programme on Microbiology for Laboratory Technicians from Developing Countries 2008 & 2009
Project Overview
Location:
United Kingdom
Dates:
August 2008 & August 2009
Funding Body:
European Commission
Project Status:
Completed
The expansion of the world agricultural market is increasingly driven by developing countries seeking to boost their economic growth. The EU, a strong proponent of trade for economic growth, is the largest consumer of exported agricultural goods from developing countries. However, the past few years have seen an increase in the number of sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS)-related trade issues between the EU these exporting developing countries. Many of these issues have been related to microbiology controls in foodstuffs within the exporting developing countries and to the increased number of positive interceptions at the point of import into the EU.
Developing countries that aim to benefit from global food markets are obliged to adhere to international food safety standards, as all members of the WTO have the responsibility to adopt WTO trade rules and requirements, so that food exports will not be hindered in the long term. By complying with international food standards, technical barriers to trade are reduced and the benefits to developing countries numerous.
However, given that responding to market requirements is a difficult task for producers all over the world, it is even more so for producers in developing countries. They often face additional difficulties due to various technical constraints such as the lack of internationally recognized laboratories with appropriate testing equipment, weak regulatory environments and standards regimes, limited skills and training capacities, and limited access to financial resources and efficient technologies.
Lessons can be learned from the European experience where member states have evolved with effective laboratory testing conducted mainly by official laboratories that develop control methods and provide technical training to other privately-operated laboratories. In order to help developing countries comply with EU food safety requirements, the Trade Directorate-General of the European Commission funded a study tour in 2008 and 2009, for both of which DS together with its consortium partner Campden & Chorleywood Food Research Association (CCFRA) successfully provided technical training to laboratory technicians in the field of microbiology analysis.
In 2008, a 10-day training programme was held over two consecutive weeks for laboratory technicians from indicated developing countries on SPS issues, specifically in the field of Microbiology analysis was provided by DS, in association with CCFRA, for scientists from developing countries. The participating countries included 20 countries from Asia, Africa, South America as well as the Middle East.
In 2009 another 10-day training programme was organised. This time, the training focused on a diverse range of microorganisms including listeria, salmonella, coliforms and bacillus, as well as various detection methods and good laboratory practice, quality assessment and laboratory management. As the preceding year, the participating countries represented a wide variety of countries from various continents such as South America, South East Asia, Africa and Eastern Europe.
The successful execution of the trainings in both 2008 and 2009 was made possible by virtue of the extensive experience and high-level professionalism of both Consortium partners. The Campden & Chorleywood Food Research Association (CCFRA) possesses expertise in the development of Good Laboratory Practices and the provision of training with regard to EU legislation on food (and microbiological) standards. In consortium with DEVELOPMENT Solutions, which specialises in the organisation and implementation of technical assistance training for governments and the private sector in the international trade arena, they implemented the training (including laboratory tours and lectures) which provided a framework for an adequate and effective food control system.
