IICA strengthens SME's through traceability training

On August 30th and 31st, over 35 participants from eight different private sector business entities took part in a two-day work shop held at the George price Centre in Belmopan.  The training included an in-depth training on the principles and practice of traceability funded by the 10th European Development Fund “Support to the Forum of Caribbean States in the implementation of the commitments undertaken under the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA): Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures” being executed by IICA.

This event was a second phase of the project geared towards building the capacity of Public and Private Sector Professionals in the development of Traceability Systems of SME’s to support the implementation of SPS measures and contribute to increased trade opportunities in CARIFORUM countries. The first phase of the training included a regional workshop on the Principles and Practice of Traceability of key technical officers in the various countries.

For this IICA had engaged the Institute of Food Technologist’s Global Food Traceability Center (IFT-GFT). Key trainers from IFT-GFT were Tejas Bhatt (Team Leader) Director for the Global Food Traceability Center (GFTC) at the Institute of Food Technologists (IFT). He directs IFT’s science and policy initiatives related to food traceability;  Robert B. Gravani a Professor of Food Science at Cornell University; and Jaheon Koo Director of Food Safety Programs at the Institute of Food Technologists (IFT).

Key SME’s included Quality Poultry, Caribbean Chicken, Hot Mama’s (pepper sauce), and technical officers from the Belize Agriculture Health Authority (BAHA).