This Convention consisting of 11 articles agreed upon among the Heads of African State and Government of the Organization of African Unity aims to (i) prevent the introduction of diseases, insect pests, and other enemies of plants into any part of Africa; (ii) eradicate or control them in so far as they are present in the area; (iii) prevent their spread to other territories within the area. Moreover, the Phyto-sanitary Convention for Africa South of the Sahara signed in London in 1954 and amended by the Protocol of 1961 is abolished as far as it concerns the African Continent. The text of the Convention (i) highlights the integration of the former Commission for Technical Cooperation in Africa into the Organization of African Unity (OAU) and the remodeling of the Phyto-sanitary Convention to meet the requirements of African states; (ii) recognizes the importance of international cooperation, as outlined in the International Plant Protection Convention, and the need for coordination in this field; (iii) establishes a Panel of Scientific Consultants composed of specialists in plant pathology, entomology, nematology, and related disciplines to advise the OAU on technical plant health and protection issues; (iv) allows for the importation of prohibited materials for scientific investigations under recommended safeguards. Furthermore, the text addresses the establishment of meetings to discuss phytosanitary matters and outlines provisions for dispute resolution and potential amendments to the Convention.
1967-09-13