October 11, 2024 – As part of the capacity building work in the Pacific region, a successful Biosecurity Training was held in Palau from September 29 to October 11, 2024, in collaboration with the Pacific Community (SPC). There were a total of 19 participants, including 7 Biosecurity Officers, 6 Customs Officers, and 6 staff from the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Environment. The training, led by SPS Standards Officer Riten Gosai, focused on strengthening biosecurity and phytosanitary measures to improve Palau’s capacity in meeting international trade standards.
The training was part of the broader ‘Safe Agriculture Trade Facilitation through Economic Integration in the Pacific’ (SAFE Pacific) project, which aims to assist small Pacific Island Countries in increasing their export capacity and fostering economic growth. Funded by the European Union under the Pacific Regional Integration Support (PRISE) Programme, this project addresses barriers to accessing international markets, enhances value-added products, and improves compliance with international standards.
The Pacific Islands, including Palau, face unique challenges due to their small size and remote locations, leading to higher export costs and difficulties in meeting global trade requirements. The SAFE Pacific project provides targeted support to overcome these challenges, focusing on strengthening biosecurity, improving sustainable agricultural value chains, and enhancing market access.
According to Devon Andreas, Chief, Division of Biosecurity, this refresher course helped to enhance our ability to manage the import of plant, pests and other risks especially since the last surveillance was done several years ago. During this workshop, we were able to do an assessment this time around. The participants visited numerous sites around Palau and set traps, went back and collected a number of flies at different locations. The good news is there are no new flies. This training was very interactive because it helped strengthen biosecurity collaboration and coordination among our agencies.
During the last day of the workshop, John Tarkong Jr., Director, Bureau of Customs and Border Protection (BCBP), mentioned that he was happy to see Customs Officers in attendance because this holistic program will enhance Palau’s ability to manage plant pest risks and meet biosecurity requirements of importing countries. Tarkong mentioned that with our limited resources especially with respect to personnel, we need to broaden our roles and responsibilities by cross-designating our Officers. This training helped the BCBP focus on biosecurity concerns and we need to do more of this type of program as it has the potential to reduce delays at the border and strengthen regional biosecurity and trade.
The BCBP, along with SPC and partner agencies, extends gratitude to the EU for funding this critical project, which will have a lasting positive impact on economic growth, job creation, and poverty reduction in the Pacific ACP region.