Harmonising regulatory requirements for registration of biopesticides and biocontrol agents in Africa: From principles to practice

Deadline for receipt of applications:
31 October 2023
CALL FOR APPLICATIONS WILL OPEN SOON

Over the years, harmonised regional guidelines (some still in draft form) for the registration of biopesticides and biological control agents have been formulated by various Regional Economic Communities (RECs), including the East African Community, the Economic Community of West African States, and the Southern African Development Community. However, countries can fully utilise these guidelines only if they integrate the relevant provisions into their national regulatory processes. This workshop is specifically designed to provide guidance on the crucial process of adapting harmonised regional guidelines for national use. Participants will actively engage in practical exercises, such as simulating the drafting of regulations (based on regional guidelines) and creating action plans for implementing these guidelines at the national level. Representatives from various countries will contribute by sharing insights into their unique legal and institutional frameworks, explaining the steps involved in legislative review, and highlighting both obstacles and opportunities that may be encountered during the process of domesticating regional guidelines. The key goal of this workshop is to deepen participants’ grasp of the adaptation process, empowering countries to align their regulatory laws more effectively with harmonised regional guidelines. This, in turn, will enhance countries’ ability to proactively engage in regional harmonisation initiatives, effectively aligning their national procedures with regional provisions.

Topics

1. Understanding regulatory harmonization
   • Defining regulatory harmonization and its purpose
   • Exploring the rationale behind the need for regulatory harmonization
   • Identifying key success factors for effective harmonization
2. Understanding the regulatory landscape for biopesticides and biological control agents in Africa
3. Addressing challenges, identifying gaps, and capitalizing on opportunities in the use of biopesticides and biocontrol agents
4. Case studies of regulatory harmonization
5. Genesis and development of regional guidelines in different RECs
   • Tracing the origin and evolution of regional guidelines
   • Highlighting the role of various RECs in shaping guidelines
6. Benefits and challenges of regulatory harmonization
   • Exploring the advantages of harmonization for biopesticides and biocontrol agents
   • Discussing challenges and potential solutions
7. Prerequisites for adaptation across different countries
   • Identifying common factors for successful guideline integration
   • Addressing country-specific considerations
8. Fundamental principles of legal drafting
   • Understanding key legal drafting concepts for harmonization
   • Applying principles to regional biopesticide guidelines
9. Essential components of harmonized regional biopesticide guidelines
   • Examining key elements required for effective regional guidelines
   • Discussing the role of harmonization in enhancing regulatory consistency
10. Sharing insights from country representatives
    • Learning from different legal and institutional frameworks
    • Exploring steps involved in legislative review and adaptation
11. Overcoming obstacles and embracing opportunities in domesticating regional guidelines
    • Identifying common hurdles faced during adaptation
    • Discussing strategies to leverage opportunities for effective integration
12. Workshop exhibition throughout the event

Participants

150 participants are foreseen. Registration fee will be USD 50

Funding

 A limited number of grants, covering fee waive, accommodation (twin sharing) and local hospitality for the duration of the course, are available to selected number of nationals of ICGEB Member States (excludes travel/visa charges). Few partial travel grants will also be available for ICGEB Member States nationals coming from LDCs.

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