the import inspection services at the Department of Agriculture (DoA)
31 May 2007
Cape Town: The Auditor-General (AG) today tabled a performance audit
revealing shortcomings in the import inspection services at the Department of
Agriculture. The purpose of the performance audit report is to make known the
findings of a performance audit of import inspection services conducted by the
AG at the department.
Among others, the report highlighted the following findings:
Access to information
No integrated information system for recording and reporting on the import
inspections of the DoA had been established. The inspectors and management did
not have access to the necessary information on imports to allow them to
systematically target those who posed the highest risk. It was therefore not
possible to ensure that the high-risk consignments would be inspected timely to
ensure proactive detection of pests and diseases.
Number of inspectors
The audit also found that there was an insufficient number of inspectors,
especially at the remote border posts where there were high staff turnover and
vacancy rates. The inspectors on duty could therefore not perform all import
inspections in good time and a low percentage of consignments were
inspected.
It was further noted that there were not enough dog unit teams to inspect
all shifts at all international airports and harbours in South Africa. The DoA
only had four dogs for inspection of international passengers' luggage during
the morning shifts at the then Johannesburg International Airport (JIA).
Although Nigeria was one of the African countries where outbreaks of avian
influenza had been reported, all arrivals from Nigeria were scheduled for
periods not covered by the dog unit.
Skills and experience
Due to the relatively new structures and the small staff compliment, an
insufficient number of inspectors had the relevant experience to ensure
efficient skills transfer, on the job training and quality control.
Equipment and infrastructure
Due to lack of equipment and infrastructure at the ports of entry, a high
percentage of the consignments arriving at the ports of entry were not
inspected at the port of entry itself. They were given a temporary release
form, with an order that required them to be inspected at a predetermined site.
There was however no follow-up or reconciliation procedures in place to ensure
that all these consignments would be inspected at a later stage.
Management information
Monthly reports on import inspections were being prepared manually by the
inspectors by summarising all the import inspection documents. Most of the
monthly reports re-compiled were inaccurate, incomplete, invalid, inconsistent
or unreliable. Therefore, decisions were made by inspectors and management
based on unreliable information.
Record keeping
One of the main elements of a disease control strategy is the swift tracing
of animals that have been exposed to infection. Ineffective and inconsistent
procedures were however used at the various ports of entry to document and file
inspection-related documents. The result of a lack of a document trail was that
evidence would not be available for effectively tracking, tracing and
containing outbreaks of diseases.
Says Africa Boso, Auditor-General spokesperson: "We anticipate that this
report would give rise to corrective steps which would contribute
constructively to the establishment and implementation of appropriate
management measures and controls and consequently to improved value for
money."
"Among other corrective measures, the department should ensure that its
information systems for import inspection are addressed and that a total
solution is created; develop a strategy dealing with risks posed by pests and
diseases and prioritise inspections for products related to these pests and
diseases; strive towards bridging the gap between available resources and
required resources; institute measures to ensure that all extended detentions
are inspected and that reconciliation procedures are established for this
purpose and implement measures to ensure effective reporting and record-keeping
of inspections performed."
The Department of Agriculture has, among others, undertaken to:
* design and implement an integrated import and export information
system
* continue with its efforts to include issues pertaining to human resources,
knowledge and information management in the future budget and operational
plans
* continue with its efforts to procure additional dogs from the United States
of America, train them and have them ready for work by July 2007
* continue with their efforts to institute training interventions for all
disciplines to ensure that fully compliant officials in terms of knowledge,
skills and abilities are trained and deployed
* continue with its efforts in terms of fast tracking and mentorship programmes
to improve critical areas identified for improvement in the report
* introduce measures to ensure accurate recordkeeping and reporting.
A complete version of the report on a performance audit of the import
inspection services at the Department of Agriculture is available on our
website: (http://www.agsa.co.za)
Enquiries:
Africa Boso
Media Liaison: Auditor-General of South Africa
Tel: 012 426 8273
Cell: 082 889 9527
E-mail: africab@agsa.co.za
Issued by: Auditor-General South Africa
31 May 2007
Source: Auditor-General South Africa (http:// www.agsa.co.za)
