COPE is a virtual learning center hosted at KEPHIS headquarters, oloolua ridge, Karen Nairobi. It was established in 2010 and is a partially independent institution. It was established with the rationale that African countries lack effective systems for managing phytosanitary measures
at the national level and also lack good regional co-ordination of the implementation of the International Plant Protection Convention – International Standards on Phytosanitary Measures (ISPMs).
Africa COPE training and consultancy services.
Major objectives are:
To support capacity building of African countries by offering trainings To develop training programs in line with market requirements To plan for the phytosanitary Conferences
Operating hours will be from 8:00am to 5:00pm.
Governance
The Centre of Phytosanitary Excellence was established through a regional partnership involving government, private sector and international stakeholders with funds provided by the Standards and Trade Development Facility Trust Fund (STDF). The Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service (KEPHIS) and the Netherlands Plant Protection Service (NPPS) provided co-financing, and the STDF project was managed by CAB International.
Our Aims
Improve the phytosanitary capacity of Eastern Africa region and to increase market access of African nations.
To assist in improvement of legal and institutional framework within the region for smooth performance of all matters.
To offer training opportunities in phytosanitary policy and practice, appropriate to the needs of the region, including the establishment of an exemplary plant inspection facility and information management system for use as demonstration and training tools.
To provide skilled manpower for applied pest risk analysis (PRA) generating PRAs according to relevant international standards.
To be the a secretariat and repository of database of African pest risk and pest surveillance specialists.
To spearhead market research in all matters of phytosanitary application including promotion of international standards.
Project Management Committee
During the set-up phase (2008-2010), the following institutions served as Members of the Project Management Committee:
African Union’s Inter-African Phytosanitary Council (IAPSC) Secretariat of the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) Netherlands Plant Protection Service (NPPS) Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service (KEPHIS) University of Nairobi Ministry of Agriculture and Co-operatives, Zambia Ministry of Agriculture Food Security and Co-operatives, Tanzania USAID Regional Mission for East Africa CAB International (CABI).
The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations through the Secretariat of the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) provided invaluable oversight and technical advice.