COPE Consultancy Services offers expert support in phytosanitary management, seed certification, and laboratory services. The focus is on regulatory compliance, capacity building, and quality assurance to strengthen agricultural systems and facilitate safe trade.
1. Consultancy in Phytosanitary
Plant protection services in reference to The Plant Protection Act, CAP 324, Laws of Kenya ensures that harmful organisms are NOT introduced or spread when importing plants, plant products and regulated material into the country. Under the Agriculture (Export) Act, Cap319, laws of Kenya, agricultural produce exported should not introduce harmful organisms and noxious weeds into foreign destinations.
- Advisory on pest risk analysis (PRA).
- Guidance on compliance with international phytosanitary standards (e.g., ISPMs).
- Export/import certification processes.
- Development of inspection protocols for export/import crops.
- Pest identification and management.
- Phytosanitary Capacity Evaluation.
- Advisory on Digitization processes including e-phyto, arc GIS and remote sensing.
- Advisory on compliance.
- Phytosanitary treatments.
- Surveillance emergency response and contingency plans.
2. Consultancy in Seed Quality and Certification
- Support in setting up seed testing laboratories.
- Accreditation of seed certification services.
- Training on seed certification procedures.
- Advisory on seed policy and regulation.
- Support for seed enterprises to meet certification standards.
- Providing seed testing services.
- Plant Variety Testing and Protection
- Support in setting up plant breeder rights offices.
- Support in development of variety testing protocols.
- Training on plant variety testing and protection.
- Support in genetic purity testing.
3. Consultancy in Laboratory Services (ACL).
- Support in setting up testing laboratories
- Authorization of testing laboratories (seeds, pesticide residues, plant pathogens)
- Provide guidance on accreditation of testing laboratories
- Setting up residue testing programs (e.g., Maximum Residue Limits – MRLs)
- Laboratory research services
- Capacity assessment of laboratories
- Diagnostic services for pests, diseases, and GMOs
- Capacity building in lab techniques and quality assurance systems
- Training in Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs)