3.53.  Since the previous Review in 2009, there have been no significant changes to the sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) requirements in Zambia. The legislation related to the SPS regime in Zambia includes mainly: the Food and Drugs Act of 1994, the Plant Pests and Diseases Act of 1994, the Noxious Weeds Act of 1994, the Public Health Act of 1933, the Control of Goods Act, and the Animal Health Act of 2010. The Plant Protection Bill is still under preparation

3.54.  The ministries in charge of agriculture, fisheries and livestock, and health are the main institutions responsible for SPS-related issues. Zambia is a member of the Codex Alimentarius Commission and the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE), and a signatory to the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC). During the review period, no trade concerns were raised in the SPS Committee with regard to Zambia.[32] The latest notification by Zambia on SPS issues was submitted in 2000

3.55.  Zambia is affiliated to the WTO, SADC, and COMESA in the areas of SPS and standards issues. SADC member countries are now preparing a SADC pest list, and Zambia has been participating in this process. ZARI (Zambia Agriculture Research Institute), together with equivalent agencies in other SADC countries, participated in the formulation of a regional position for the Codex Committee on Food Import and Export Inspection and Certification Systems (CCFICS). COMESA has been assisting Zambia in applying an STDF (Standards and Trade Development Facility) tool since 2011, to help prioritize SPS investment options while recognizing that resources are generally insufficient. COMESA countries are also preparing a COMESA pest list. The Plant Quarantine and Phytosanitary Service (PQPS), under ZARI, participated in SPS awareness programmes under Pan-SPS COMESA. Zambia, together with some other countries in the region, obtained training on how to apply the phytosanitary capacity evaluation (PCE) tool sponsored by the Africa Solidarity Trust Fund (ASTF), which is implemented by the FAO

3.56.  Importers of animals and animal products, plants and plant products, and food products must obtain an import permit (Table 3.10). For imports of animals and animal products, veterinary certificates issued in the country of origin are required. For imports of plant and plant products, phytosanitary certificates issued in the country of origin are required

3.57.  Animal standards and hygiene are based on OIE norms. The Department of Veterinary Services regulates the import and export of livestock, livestock products and by-products using the OIE risk analysis and management principles and methodologies. All imports of livestock and livestock products must be inspected by the Department of Veterinary Services upon arrival in Zambia. Importers must obtain an agricultural import permit. The veterinary authorities of the exporting country issues a veterinary certificate. All livestock must be subject to pre-departure quarantine in the country of origin, and post-arrival quarantine upon arrival in Zambia. The duration of quarantine is specified on a case-by-case basis. All exports of animals and animal products are subject to a veterinary certificate

3.58.  The imports of plant and plant products are inspected by plant health inspectors at the border, using the PQPS standards. Inspections involve documentation checks and physical checks. Quarantine requirements are specific to the plant or plant product as well as to the originating country, depending on the results of pest risk analysis

3.59.  Phytosanitary requirements are based on IPPC requirements. The Agribusiness and Marketing (ABM) Department, under the Ministry of Agriculture, is responsible for issuing agricultural import/export permits for plants and plant products. These permits stipulate what other documents, such as phytosanitary certificates, are required. ZARI, through the PQPS and the National Plant Protection Organization (NPPO), is responsible for issuing phytosanitary certificates for exports, plant import permits, and non-GMO certificates. These permits are issued by Plant Health Inspectors or customs officials at the border

3.60.  The fees consist of the following: K 30 per phytosanitary certificate and K 50 per 30 million tonnes for the import permit, K 150 per inspection, K 800 for fumigation (first registration) or K 600 for fumigation (renewal), K 200 for nursery registration, K 500 for treatment facilities, and K 500 for tobacco premises

3.61.  The Seed Control and Certification Institute (SCCI) is responsible for enforcing the Plant Variety and Seeds Act (Cap 236). The Act provides for regulation and control through variety testing and release, production and marketing of seed, import and export of seed, seed quality control, and coordination of the seed industry

3.62.  The Ministry of Health, under the Food and Drugs Act and the Public Health Act, is responsible for import controls of food and food products at the border. The Food Safety Unit under the Ministry of Health is the focal point of the Codex Alimentarius. Health inspectors carry out physical inspections on food imports, check whether the import consignment is accompanied by appropriate permits, test samples in the case of salt (for iodine) and sugar (for vitamin A) imports, and verify labelling standards. For fresh fruits and vegetables, permits are issued and sampled for residues of pesticides by the Food and Drug Laboratory in Lusaka

3.63.  The Ministry of Health is responsible for export clearance for pre-packed foods. Health inspectors at the border check whether the consignment is accompanied by a Health Clearance Certificate issued by the Head Office in Lusaka. This Certificate is valid for six months, and it takes from 3 to 5 days to obtain such a certificate. There is no charge for health certificates, although a proposal has been made to charge for this service

3.64.  According to ZARI, genetically-modified organisms may be allowed to be imported into Zambia, subject to approval from the National Biosafety Authority in line with the National Biosafety Act No. 10 of 2007