REPORT OF THE INTERNATIONAL PLANT PROTECTION
CONVENTION SECRETARIAT (IPPC)

(AS OF 10 OCTOBER 2014)

The following communication, received on 14 October 2014, is being circulated at the request of the International Plant Protection Convention secretariat (IPPC).

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1  INTRODUCTION

1.1.  This report covers general activities that have taken place subsequent to our last report in June 2014, (i.e. the period 20 June 2014–10 October 2014).

1.2.  The Committee is invited to note that the current number of contracting parties to the IPPC is 181 (no new members in the covered period).

1.3.  All dates relative to IPPC events, meetings and commenting periods are available on the International Phytosanitary Portal (IPP).^[1]

2  STRATEGIC PLANNING GROUP

2.1.  The Strategic Planning Group of the IPPC met during the week of 6‑10 October in Rome. This meeting is notable as it was the first iteration of an envisioned process to do longer range forecasting related to international plant health. Of particular interest was the requirement for participants to prepare a brief paper on a forecast for the IPPC in 20 years. Following a day and a half of discussions on the topic, participants generally agreed that a foundation had been laid for the next IPPC strategic plan. In addition, participants also agreed to add the topic as a standing agenda item as the exchange of ideas that took place provided a good global perspective on current and possible future plant health issues.

3  STANDARD SETTING WORK PROGRAMME

3.1.  The list of topics for IPPC standards is available on the IPP in six languages.^[2]

3.1  Meetings

3.2.  In addition to meetings related to the work programme of technical panels^[3], the standard setting team organized two Expert working group meetings on the following topics:

·                The International movement of cut flowers and branches (2008‑005) (16‑20 June 2014 –Arusha, Tanzania); and

·                The International movement of wood products and handicrafts made from wood (2008‑008) (15‑19 September – Rome, Italy).

3.3.  More information about these meetings is available on the IPP.^[4]

3.2  New adopted diagnostic protocols

3.4.  After the 45‑days notification period closed on 15 August 2014 the SC, on behalf of the CPM, adopted the following two diagnostic protocols (DPs):

·                DP 5: Phyllosticta citricarpa (McAlpine) Aa on fruit^[5]

·                DP 6: Xanthomonas citri subsp. citri^[6]

3.5.  The two DPs are considered annexes to ISPM 27: Diagnostic protocols for regulated pests. All adopted ISPMs are published on the IPP.^[7]

3.3  Call for experts

3.6.  In August 2014, the IPPC secretariat made the following calls for experts for:

·                the Technical Panel on Diagnostic Protocols (TPDP)

·                the Technical Panel on Phytosanitary Treatments (TPPT)

·                three expert working groups (EWGs) to develop international standards on the following topics:

-         International movement of grain (2008‑007)

-         Revision of ISPM 6:1997 (Guidelines for surveillance) (2009‑004)

-         Safe handling and disposal of waste with potential pest risk generated during international voyages (2008‑004).

3.7.  Nominations are due by 26 October 2014. More information about this call is available in the IPP.^[8]

3.4  Substantial concerns commenting period

3.8.  The Substantial Concerns Commenting Period (SCCP) was closed on 30 September 2014 for the following draft ISPMs:

·                Amendments to ISPM 5 (Glossary of phytosanitary terms) (1994‑001)

·                International movement of growing media in association with plants for planting (2005‑004)

·                International movement of wood (2006‑029)

·                Phytosanitary procedures for Fruit Fly (Tephritidae) management (2005‑010)2014 Member consultation

3.9.  The compiled member comments are posted on the IPP.^[9]

3.10.  The following draft ISPMS, Diagnostic Protocols (DPs) and Phytosanitary Treatments (PTs) are currently under Member Consultation (MC)^[10] (1 July‑30 November 2014):

·                Amendments to ISPM 5: Glossary of Phytosanitary Terms (1994‑001)

·                International movement of seeds (2009‑003)

·                International movement of used vehicles, machinery and equipment (2006‑004)

·                Draft DP: Ditylenchus destructor / D. dipsaci (2004‑017)

·                Draft DP: Erwinia amylovora (2004‑009)

·                Draft DP: Genus Anastrepha (2004‑015)

·                Draft DP: Phytoplasmas (general) (2004‑018)

·                Draft PT: Cold treatment for Ceratitis capitata on Citrus clementina var. Clemenules (2010‑102)

·                Draft PT: Cold treatment for Ceratitis capitata on Citrus sinensis var. Navel and Valencia‑late (2010‑103)

·                Draft PT: High temperature forced air treatment for Bactrocera melanotus and B. xanthodes (Diptera: Tephritidae) on Carica papaya (2009‑105)

·                Draft PT: Phytosanitary Treatment on Irradiation for Ostrinia nubilalis (2012‑009)

·                Draft PT: Vapour heat treatment for Bactrocera dorsalis on Carica papaya var. solo (2009‑109)

·                Draft PT: Vapour heat treatment for Ceratitis capitata on Mangifera indica (2010‑106)

3.11.  Comments must be submitted through the IPPC contact point using the Online Comment System (OCS).^[11]

3.5  Draft specifications approved for member consultation by the SC

3.12.  The following specifications were approved by the SC to be submitted for member consultation on 20 December 2014:

·                Authorization of entities other than national plant protection organizations to perform phytosanitary actions (2014‑002)

·                Guidance on pest risk management (2014‑001)

·                e (Annex to ISPM 20:2004 Guidelines for a phytosanitary import regulatory system) (2008‑006)

·                Requirements for the use of phytosanitary treatments as phytosanitary measures (2014‑008)

3.13.  Comments must be submitted through the IPPC contact point using the Online Comment System (OCS).

3.14.  Due to the high volume of diagnostic protocols that are foreseen to be finalized for member consultation in the coming few years, two member consultation periods for diagnostic protocols will be held annually starting in 2015 (1 February 2015 and 1 July 2015).

4  NATIONAL REPORTING OBLIGATIONS

4.1  Contact points

4.1.  The IPPC Secretariat is encouraged by the response to the efforts by contracting parties to update information on their contact points. This information provides a basic path for any information exchange between or among parties, with the Secretariat as well as broader stakeholders. International Phytosanitary Portal (IPP): https://www.ippc.int.

4.2.  The IPPC Secretariat encourages countries to visit the IPPC website for news and official information from the Secretariat and contracting parties. The Secretariat is constantly seeking ways to improve the IPP to increase its efficiency and improve the appearance and responsiveness. While this has caused some technical issues, the ultimate result will be a much more responsive and informative IPPC webpage. The Secretariat is hoping to launch a new and updated version of the IPP before the end of the year.

4.3.  New formats for accessing information are also being developed e.g. https://www.ippc.int/countries/pestreports-map.

4.4.  Other information available through the IPP has substantially increased, in particular for the area of capacity development, and is available through:

i.           Phytosanitary Resource Page: http://www.phytosanitary.info

ii.         IRSS: https://www.ippc.int/index.php?id=1111059&L=0#irssactivities

iii.        IRSS Help Desk: https://www.ippc.int/index.php?id=1111059&L=0#helpdesk

iv.       IPPC Projects Database: http://projects.phytosanitary.info

v.         eLearning: http://elearning.phytosanitary.info

vi.       A summary of IPPC Publications: https://www.ippc.int/about/mediakit

4.2  National Reporting Obligations Advisory Group (NROAG)

4.5.  As mentioned previously, CPM9 (2014) recognized that substantial further improvement in NROs should take place to meet the reporting obligations in the New Revised Text of the IPPC Convention (1997) and to this end CPM established the NROAG, which met during early July 2014. The group reviewed the current NRO programme, developed an action plan for further improvements, made suggestions to effectively improvement the programme, and will report to the CPM‑10.

4.6.  IPPC Contracting Parties have subsequently seen a substantial increase in NRO activity and countries are encouraged to engage appropriately to ensure the whole NRO system functions more effectively and with more timely and accurate information.

5  CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT

5.1.  IPPC Capacity Development continues to make positive strides, and a large part of this development has been the hard work of the Capacity Development Committee (CDC). Regrettably, a review of the CDC is taking longer than expected. This is unfortunate in view of the need for clarity of mission and purpose that the results of the review are intended to provide. In addition, the departure of a number of capacity development personnel has necessitated action to find replacements. Unfortunately this process is taking longer to complete than hoped.

5.2.  The CPM Bureau selected new members of the CDC during the week of 6 October. The first meeting of the new CDC will be taking place in Rome during the first week of December.

5.3.  In addition, the IPPC Secretariat, with financial support from the Standards and Trade Development Facility (STDF), has started a project to develop a pool of qualified experts to serve as facilitators of the Phytosanitary Capacity Evaluation (PCE) tool. Applications are due through submission of the online form available on the IPP by 31 October 2014.

6  COMMUNICATIONS

6.1.  As a follow up to the IPPC Communications Strategy adopted by CPM‑8 (2013), the Secretariat is developing and will implement a communications work plan based on the completed IPPC communications needs assessment. This will provide the IPPC a clearer framework that will target the appropriate audiences. The plan is being developed under the guidance of a communications professional and will be ready for presentation to CPM‑10.

6.2.  The following social media pages for the IPPC are available:

i.           Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/International‑Plant‑Protection‑Convention‑IPPC/113230338690380?ref=tn_tnmn

ii.         Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/ippcnews

iii.        LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/groups?gid=3175642&trk=hb_side_g

iv.       Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/groups/international_plant_protection_convention/

v.         YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/IPPCnews

7  DISPUTE SETTLEMENT

7.1.  A case is currently under the IPPC dispute settlement process, and a meeting of the Subsidiary Body on Dispute Settlement will take place shortly to review the IPPC dispute settlement advocacy material.

8  IMPLEMENTATION REVIEW AND SUPPORT SYSTEM (IRSS)

8.1.  The first three-year cycle of the IRSS concluded in March 2014. During the implementation period it focused much of its efforts on the Review element of the programme. A second cycle, which began in April 2014, is expected to focus on strengthening the support element using largely the outputs of the first cycle, in particular the data gathered through its many surveys.

8.2.  The IRSS has had notable impact resulting in stimulating the CPM to discuss the need for a more focused approach on implementation activities. In this regard the CPM decided to establish an open ended working group on Implementation which will convene in Rome in August 2014 to consider the elements for such a programme, including a pilot activity on pest surveillance building on current IPPC and IPPC partner activities and the results of the work of the IRSS.

8.3.  The ISPMs that were analyzed by the IRSS include: ISPM 4:1995 Requirements for the establishment of pest free areas; ISPM 8:1998 Determination of pest status in an area; ISPM 6:1997 Guidelines for surveillance; ISPM 13:2001 Guidelines for the notification of non‑compliance and emergency action; ISPM 17:2002 Pest reporting and ISPM 19:2003 Guidelines on lists of regulated pests. These standards all relate to a large extent on pest surveillance and therefore will provide baseline information for prospective implementation activities.

8.4.  The IRSS conducted two studies, one on Aquatic Plants and the other on Internet Trade (E‑Commerce) during the first implementation cycle. Two IPPC recommendations were prepared for CPM consideration based on these studies.

8.5.  IRSS products can be downloaded at: http://irss.ippc.int/activities/.

9  CPM RECOMMENDATIONS

9.1.  CPM‑9 (2014) adopted the following two CPM Recommendations:

·                CPM‑9/2014/01 on IPPC coverage of aquatic plants and

·                CPM‑9/2014/02 on Internet trade (e‑commerce) in plants and other regulated articles.

        (https://www.ippc.int/core-activities/governance/cpm/cpm-recommendations)

9.2.  A subsequent proposal for a CPM recommendation on pest movement by sea containers is currently open for comment through 3 January 2015 and will be presented to CPM‑10 (2015).

10  RESOURCE MOBILIZATION

10.1.  The Secretariat would like to thank all those contracting parties and other donors who contributed to the 2013 budget and activities of the IPPC, in particular the European Commission and Switzerland for their contributions to the IRSS project, the United States for support to the communications effort, and to the Republic of Korea for their sustained support for the work of the IPPC. Numerous others have provided support, but the crucial element missing is sustained support for the work of the Convention. The IPPC encourages all contracting parties to consider sustainable contributions. A full list of support is made available to CPM each year and can be found at: https://www.ippc.int/resource-mobilisation.

10.2.  As always, the sustainability of the IPPC Secretariat, and hence the work programme of the IPPC, continues to be addressed as a high priority on an on‑going basis. The current resource allocation (financial and human resources) measured against projected tasks is not sustainable. The Secretariat staff continues to engage in discussions with the governing body as well as traditional and non‑traditional partners to improve the situation.

10.3.  It cannot be stressed enough that it is essential the IPPC receive regular and predictable contributions to provide sustainability to the work programme. The FAO continues to face severe financial challenges and is seeking cost reduction efforts in most areas; as a result the resources available to the IPPC activities continue to be affected, specifically in the area of information technology and support for the On‑line Comment System.

10.4.  The Secretariat remains open to any discussion with members or partner organizations that could provide solutions to the current challenges, particularly in the medium to long term. In addition, IPPC Contracting Parties have enthusiastically welcomed the possibility of a future year of plant health. To be done correctly, this effort will require resources and time, but the intent is to use such an event as a catalyst for increasing awareness and resource mobilization into the foreseeable future.

11  ELECTRONIC CERTIFICATION IN THE IPPC (EPHYTO)

11.1.  The issue of ePhyto is a high priority for CPM and the revised Appendix 1 (Electronic certification, information on standard XML schemes and exchange mechanisms (2006‑003)) to ISPM 12:2011 was adopted at CPM‑9 (2014). The IPPC Secretariat has created an ePhyto web page (http://ephyto.ippc.int/) on the IPP containing information on codes and schema to be used in ePhytos, as well as newsletters containing information on the latest ePhyto developments.

11.2.  After the CPM discussions on the result of ePhyto hub feasibility study^[12], the ePhyto Steering Group met and is developing additional action on this issue. Current expectations are for the ePhyto Steering Group to develop a proposal for the eventual development of a global ePhyto exchange mechanism. The IPPC believes this represents a potential opportunity for future collaboration with OIE and Codex.

11.3.  General information on ePhyto can be found on the IPPC Website at: http://www.ippc.int/index.php?id=1111140 or obtained from the IPPC Secretariat (ippc@fao.org).

12  COOPERATION WITH THE WTO STANDARD SETTING ORGANIZATIONS

12.1.  The IPPC Secretariat would like to draw attention to the following current on‑going activities with Codex and OIE:

i.           Codex and the IPPC are now collaborating fully in the operational maintenance and improvement of the OCS. In addition, both organizations are investigating the possibility of updating and further improving the system.

ii.         Codex, OIE and the IPPC continue to engage in consultations on Standard Trade and Development Facility (STDF) activities to understand each other's positions and coordinate activities and responses;

iii.        There is ongoing cooperation between the "three sisters" on SPS‑related capacity development projects, if and when appropriate;

iv.       The Secretariat continues to participate in coordination meetings between the "three sisters" to improve coordination and collaboration in SPS Committee meetings when necessary;

v.         Ad‑hoc consultations are undertaken as and when subjects arise that are of mutual interest; and

vi.       The Secretariat is committed to sustaining the deeper relationship between the "three sisters" to address future issues in the SPS Committee and beyond.

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