DRAFT
PIFS  DCAfTM-Development of the Consolidated Aid for Trade Matrix
Assessment of needs and project proposals
CK02
Strengthening capacity of SPS control in the Cook Islands-Phase 1 (upgrading of the CI
Microbiology Laboratory)
2. Categories flash codes
2.1. Geo scope:  Pacific;  Sub-regional/Multi-country;  National - Cook Islands
2.2. AfT Cluster:  AfT 1  AfT 2  AfT 3  AfT 4 2.3. Sub-category: 3.3.
2.4. Trade Agreement:  EPA  PICTA-G  PICTA-S  MSGTA  MTCTA
2.5. Matrices position: EPA… .
Cook Islands Ministry of Marine Resources
EU/EUROPEAID-Global objective or Overall objective)
To contribute to the Cook Islands’s sustainable development and poverty eradication by means of facilitating and promoting international trade and investment
EU/EUROPEAID-Specific objective or Project purpose
)
Procedural certifications and other SPS compliance requirements achieved, under the EPA and other relevant trade agreements of which the Cook Islands is a signatory, by means of reinforcing specific human and material capacities
(means that are of immediate/direct value to beneficiaries; as applicable)
 Technical assistance, Advice, Counselling, Secondment ( except if part of next entries )
 Training preparation and/or delivery, including: training aids, training-the-trainer, blended learning
 Supply of goods or equipment (including vehicles, machinery, documentation, image and media)
 Works (including expansion, rehabilitation, repairs, maintenance) (but excluding major public works
n
Rarotonga Central Laboratory. Begin immediately or soonest date, complete within shortest delay
R1- Staff successfully trained in priority domains
Methodologies developed and compliant in key areas of microbial analysis
Additional priority equipment for food safety control installed and operating
Facilities renovated for meeting EU hygiene standards
Stock of reagents and consumables upgraded for securing 6 month autonomy operation
Food safety and product tracking database developed and operating
(in accordance with PCM-LogFrame concept & template)
Result Indicator Source(s) of verification
R1 Nr staff enrolled, attending, certified
(by domain)
Annual reports; Training reports; Training aids; Personnel dockets;
R2 Nr and nature/level of methodologies Drafts&proposals; Audit reports; SOPs, Manuals, Templates
R3 Nr and nature; Additional capabilities created
R4 Area renovated/amplified; nature and duration of works
R5 Quantities and nature
R6 System developed, purchased tested and running
Specifications; Tender files; User Manuals; Operation records; Assets records
Specifications; Tender files; Supervision reports; Photo evidence
Procurement files; Operation records; Stock statistics
Specifications; Tender files; Specific reports and statistics
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Result Act nr Priority
R1 A1.1.
R1 A1.2.
R1 A1.3.
R2 R2.1.
R2 R2.2.
R3 R3.1.
R3 R3.2.
R4 R4.1.
R4 R4.2.
R5 R5.0.
R6 R6.0.
Activity name
Preparation of training programmes and training resources and selection & hiring of Trainers
Training for laboratory staff in quality assurance and internal auditing
Training for laboratory staff in microbial and chemical testing methodologies
Develop a Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points System for CI fisheries products
Develop or enhance other relevant methodologies in line with the ISO 17025 certification (*)
Prepare specifications for equipment upgrading for food safety microbiological testing
Procurement, purchase, installation and start-up of new equipment
Prepare specifications for modernization and EU hygiene-compliance of facilities
Renovation and expansion works (structural and utilities, as specified) and their acceptance
Acquisition of proper quantities of reagents and consumables required for stock security
Develop or purchase and roll to routine status a food safety and product tracking database
(*)ISO/IEC 17025:2005 specifies the general requirements for the competence to carry out tests and/or calibrations, including sampling. It covers testing and calibration performed using standard methods, non-standard methods and laboratory-developed methods .
( as applicable )
( including nature of expectations and mode of dialogue )
( +/-)
Immediately this programme is internally targeted at reinforcement of laboratory capabilities and resources; however in the long-term it will support the diversification of the Cook Islands economy through improved export potential not only of fisheries but also agriculture products with benefits to export companies as well as consumers .
Though the initial goal of this work is to allow local testing of Cook Islands fisheries products, the same laboratory expertise and basic equipment are required for food safety testing across all foodstuffs – thus benefitting the agriculture sector as well. Improvement of quality control and installation of auditing procedures to laboratory methodologies will also improve the Laboratory’s environmental monitoring capabilities.
Basic assumptions identified for this project are:
• Political and institutional stability as well as continuing alignment with trade development principles and trade agreements framework
 Biosecurity and SPS policies and provisions regarded as a priority issue from a political perspective; the
Microbiology Laboratory ranking highly among institutional structures that will be encouraged and supported in the adoption of innovative patterns of performance
 Senior staff motivated and actively cooperative
 Trainers available for programme design, training resources production and delivery of tuition
 Technical assistance available for collaborating in the creation or upgrading of methodologies
 Engineering services available for specifications development
 Reliable equipment suppliers available and able to respond to tender specifications
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 Reliable building companies being interested in the works tender put forward
 Availability of national financial resources to match possible loans or grants from Donors
 The relevant International Organisations able to accommodate and facilitate in due time an application for certification/accreditation of the Laboratory in the areas concerned by this project
(overall)  Total (approximate amount): Euro 100,011
(see cost breakdown in the table immediately below)
Cost
$30,000
Activity name
Training for laboratory staff in quality assurance and internal auditing
(Through the New Zealand Quality College, an operating unit of International
Accreditation New Zealand) :
Laboratory Quality Management
Microbiological Laboratory Quality Assurance
Analytical Method Validation
Traceability and Uncertainty of Measurement for Testing Laboratories
ISO 17025 for Technical Assessors and Laboratory Managers
Modernize the MMR laboratory to meet EU hygiene standards
ISO 17025 certification
Develop a Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points System for CI fisheries products
Acquire the equipment and reagents required for food safety microbiological testing
UV/Vis Spectrometer
Incubator
Centrifuge
Thermocycler
Veratox Histamine System
Reagents & consumables
Training for laboratory staff in microbial and chemical testing methodologies
Develop a food safety and product tracking database
TOTAL (NZ)
TOTAL (Euro)
$10,000
$20,000
$10,000
$60,000
$20,000
$5,000
$155,000
€100,011
MMR is working closely with an (ex)NZAid funded water sanitation project which provides support for the public health and environmental monitoring laboratory services. The FFA
DevFish project is also providing assistance under a service level agreement in areas of food safety competency. The MMR is seeking a donor grant or soft loan of NZ$3.2 million to construct a new office accommodation which will provide infrastructure for a new laboratory where the food safety services will be located.
The MMR currently operates the Cook Islands most significant environmental monitoring laboratory; this project aims to increase capacity and diversify the laboratories function under the framework of achieving EU-compliant food safety standards.
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Currently the countries potential for fisheries and agricultural exports is not being realized due to inability to provide internationally recognized health certification. Because EU standards are the most stringent, meeting EU standards will allow access to any market globally. However, in order to provide such health certifications, the MMR facility must undergo revitalization. Current staff are familiar with the methods of processing environmental samples, but require further training to reach the level of quality control required when dealing with foodstuffs. Further, the laboratory facilities are antiquated and require refurbishing to meet the necessary sanitation standards. Finally, the MMR laboratory equipment is insufficient to meet the increased demand and nature of processing food samples.
Not only will the required improvements benefit Cook Islands exporters in both fisheries and agriculture, it will also improve the quality of data collection achieved in the Cook Islands environmental monitoring programmes. Additionally, it will also significantly decrease the countries reliance on New Zealand laboratories by reducing both the quantity and types of samples which must be sent overseas for processing. In the long-term, this project has the potential to increase regional foodstuffs exports by providing a not for profit food safety processing facility to other Pacific Islands Countries.
The EU and other key donors in the Pacific Region have elected economic integration (including opening of markets and stimulating international trade) as a crucial priority under the existing development partnerships. Fish and fish products are one of the Cook Islands’s meaningful exports with good volume and value-added prospects for growth, namely towards European markets.
Other foodstuff may have interesting prospects of export to EU and other international markets, where SPS/biosecurity control is strict. See section 14 above for important indications on the prospect of involving New Zealand in this project or a part of it.
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