Page 35 - IB October 2024

SAFE Pacific: Empowering Small Island Nations
for Safer and Stronger Trade

Small ACP (African, Caribbean, Pacifi c) states boast a rich diversity of cultures
and resources, giving them signifi cant potential for greater trade and market
opportunities. International trade plays a crucial role in the economic lives of
Pacifi c ACP countries (PACPs). However, due to their inherent ‘smallness’
and ‘remoteness’, these nations face challenges in accessing markets and
improving trade. Isolated from larger markets, PACPs encounter higher export
costs related to transportation, marketing and distribution. Furthermore, small
island nations struggle to meet international trade requirements and standards,
further limiting their market access.

The ‘Safe Agricultural trade Facilitation through Economic integration
in the Pacific’ (SAFE Pacifi c) project helps Pacifi c ACP countries (PACPs)

address these barriers to accessing export markets by helping PACPs enhance
value-added products and comply with international standards. Funded by
the European Union and implemented by the Pacific Community’s (SPC)

Land Resources Division (LRD), the project focuses on boosting safe
trade practices, providing targeted assistance to support small Pacifi c Island
countries in increasing export capacity and improving economic growth.
Working across 15 Pacifi c nations , SAFE Pacifi c strengthens biosecurity,
1
animal and plant health, MSME value chain development, and supports
organic certifi cation efforts.
Key highlights of the project include:
Plant Pathology and Entomology Training of Trainers workshop: To
strengthen capacity of biosecurity agencies in addressing biosecurity threats,
Biosecurity and Plant Health offi cers from 15 Pacifi c countries were trained
on Plant Pathology and Entomology. Participants of the training engaged in
theory, practical and fi eld immersion sessions, shared best practices, learnt
diagnostic techniques and research methods. The skills gained from the
training will complement their ability to detect and control plant diseases and
pests within their communities and countries.
Paravet training: Participants from Cook Islands, Fiji, Kiribati, Nauru, Niue,
Pls use the image attached instead Republic of Marshall Islands (RMI), and Tonga completed the paravet training
of the pest ID one ( 4th image). programme and are now equipped with knowledge and skills to deliver
professional animal healthcare and production advice to farming communities
Please bold texts for “ European in-country. Paravets provide basic animal healthcare and production advice to
Union” and “Pacific Community’s farming communities where there are few or no veterinarians. Having qualifi ed
paravets ensures that these countries have the necessary expertise to protect
(SPC) Land Resources Division their animal and livestock industry, safeguarding the entry and spread of
(LRD)” serious animal diseases.
SPS footnote 2: pls leave it as this MSME Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) training:
as in original as footnote text have MSME grantees from Fiji (Farmboy), Solomon Islands (Sol Kava), and
Vanuatu (ACTIV) were trained and equipped with essential knowledge and
the long form practical skills to improve food safety. This training helps them strengthen their
processes to comply with international regulations and support safer trade
practices.
Cook Islands Plant & Soil Health training: Extension offi cers from the Cook
Islands Ministry of Agriculture were trained in plant and soil health and are now
equipped with the skills to diagnose and manage plant health issues. This will
benefi t local farmers who seek timely, high-quality advice on plant pest and
disease management.

2
Biosecurity SPS in-country support to the National Plant Protection
Organisations of the Micronesian Sub-region: Biosecurity agencies in
Nauru, Palau, and RMI supported with refresher trainings and fi eld immersion
exercises to better manage plant/animal pest and disease risks at pre-border,
at the border, and post-border levels.
1 Cook Islands, Fiji, Federated States of Micronesia, Kiribati, Nauru, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea,
Republic of the Marshall Islands, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Timor-Leste, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu.
2 Sanitary and Phytosanitary Standards.

For more information, visit https://lrd.spc.int/projects/safe-pacific
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Islands Business, October 2024 35