REPORT of THE INTERNATIONAL PLANT PROTECTION

CONVENTION SECRETARIAT (IPPC)

(As of 1 juLY 2015)

The following communication, received on 7 July 2015, is being circulated at the request of the International Plant Protection Convention secretariat (IPPC).

_______________

1  Introduction

1.1.  This report covers the period April – July 2015.

1.2.  The Secretariat of the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) and the international phytosanitary community welcomed Mr Jingyuan Xia as the new Secretary of the IPPC on 22 May. Mr Xia has an extensive background in plant health and has held several senior positions with Chinese agricultural institutions. Most recently he was Permanent Representative and Minister Plenipotentiary to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). Mr Xia will be taking over the position of Mr Yukio Yokoi who resigned from the position of Secretary and has since taken up a position as Senior Advisor in the Plant Protection Division of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries of Japan.

1.3.  The Tenth Session of the Commission on Phytosanitary Measures (CPM-10), which took place from 16-20 March 2015, featured a number of key highlights. The most significant was the unanimous support from the contracting parties to pursue an International Year of Plant Health (IYPH) in 2020. Subsequent to CPM's endorsement, the FAO Conference also voiced enthusiastic support for moving forward with the effort to establish an IYPH through the United Nations process. Another key development was the unanimous support for the development of an ePhyto hub system – a system developed for the electronic exchange of phytosanitary information between contracting parties. As the IPPC only requires the use of a single phytosanitary certificate to conduct trade in plants and plant products, the ePhyto system could greatly help international harmonization for this exchange and facilitate trade, especially considering the low financial input needed from developing countries. Resources are being sought for this purpose.

2  Standard Setting Work Programme

2.1  INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS ON PHYTOSANITARY MEASURES (ISPMs) ADOPTED BY CPM-10 (2015)

2.1.  Two International Standards on Phytosanitary Measures (ISPMs) that were recommended for adoption received formal objections. The formal objections were on the draft standards on the International movement of wood (2006-029) and International movement of growing media in association with plants for planting (2005-004). A discussion on the concept of a commodity standard followed and the CPM decided to convene an expert working group to discuss this concept in detail^[1], to facilitate future development and adoption of commodity standards.

2.2.  A list of adopted ISPMs is posted on the International Phytosanitary Portal (IPP).^[2]

2.3.  CPM-10 (2015) adopted the following ISPMs:

·         Annex 3 to ISPM 26 (Establishment of pest free areas for fruit flies (Tephritidae)) on Phytosanitary procedures for fruit fly (Tephritidae) management (2005-010)

·         2013 amendments to ISPM 5 Glossary of Phytosanitary Terms (1994-001)

·         Phytosanitary Treatments:

-         Annex 16 to ISPM 28 (Phytosanitary treatments for regulated pests on regulated articles) on Cold treatment for Bactrocera tryoni on Citrus sinensis (2007-206E);

-         Annex 17 to ISPM 28 (Phytosanitary treatments for regulated pests on regulated articles) on Cold treatment for Bactrocera tryoni on Citrus reticulata x C. sinensis (2007-206F);

-         Annex 18 to ISPM 28 (Phytosanitary treatments for regulated pests on regulated articles) on Cold treatment for Bactrocera tryoni on Citrus limon (2007-206G);

-         Annex 19 to ISPM 28 (Phytosanitary treatments for regulated pests on regulated articles) on Irradiation for Dysmicoccus neobrevipes, Planococcus lilacinus and Planococcus minor (2012-011).

2.4.  CPM-10 (2015) also noted that the Standards Committee (SC) adopted three Diagnostic Protocols (DPs) on behalf of CPM:

-         Annex 5 to ISPM 27 (Diagnostic protocols for regulated pests): DP 5: Phyllosticta citricarpa (McAlpine) Aa on fruit as an annex;

-         Annex 6 to ISPM 27 (Diagnostic protocols for regulated pests): DP 6: Xanthomonas citri subsp. citri;

-         Annex 7 to ISPM 27 (Diagnostic protocols for regulated pests): DP 7: Potato spindle tuber viroid.

2.5.  All ISPMs are published on the IPP.^[3]

2.2  LIST OF TOPICS FOR IPPC STANDARDS

2.6.  CPM-10 (2015) reviewed and modified the List of Topics for IPPC Standards which is posted in the IPP in six FAO languages.^[4]

2.7.  CPM-10 (2015) decided that there would be a special topics session held at CPM-11 (2016) to hear contracting parties' views on sea containers. The CPM also decided that work on the topic Minimizing pest movement by sea containers (2008-001) would be delayed pending the outcome of the special topics session. The special topic session is tentatively planned for Thursday, 7 April 2016 afternoon.

2.8.  In their June 2015 meeting, the CPM Bureau agreed that there should be three speakers to address the following topics:

i.         Risks associated with the movement of sea containers (pathway risk analysis);

ii.       Logistics of movement of sea containers (Container Owners Association, International Maritime Organization, World Customs Organization, World Shipping Council);

iii.      Experiences from NPPOs on checking or inspection of sea containers (i.e. practical aspects).

2.9.  Pending the outcome of the special topics session, a new Expert Working Group (EWG) on Sea Containers is tentatively planned on 11-15 July 2016, in Long Beach, Los Angeles, California, United States of America. On 24 June 2015, the IPPC Secretariat issued a call for additional EWG members on Sea Containers to participate in the meeting.^[5]

2.10.  The IPPC Secretariat launched a Call for topics^[6] from 5 June to 14 August 2015. New topics that can be submitted include:

·         New topics for International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures (ISPMs);

·         New components to existing ISPMs, such as supplements, annexes or appendices;

·         Revisions or amendments to adopted ISPMs, supplements, annexes, appendices or glossary terms;

·         Pests for which a new diagnostic protocol should be developed;

·         New topics for Phytosanitary treatments (note that specific treatment submission data will be called for at a later date).

2.3  SUBSTANTIAL CONCERNS COMMENTING PERIOD

2.11.  The following draft ISPMS were approved for the substantial concerns commenting period^[7] (1 June-30 September 2015):

·         Determination of host status of fruit to fruit flies (Tephritidae) (2006-031);

·         Draft amendment to ISPM 5 (2014): Glossary of phytosanitary terms (1994-001).

2.12.  Comments must be submitted through the IPPC contact point using the Online Comment System.^[8]

2.4  MEMBER CONSULTATION

2.13.  The following draft ISPMS were approved by the Standards Committee (SC) for Member consultation^[9] (1 July-30 November 2015):

·         Draft Appendix to ISPM 20 Arrangements for verification of compliance of consignments by the importing country in the exporting country (2005-003);

·         Draft revisions to ISPM 15 (Regulation of wood packaging material in international trade) – Annex and 2 for inclusion of the phytosanitary treatment Sulphuryl fluoride fumigation of wood packaging material (2006-010A) and the revision of the dielectric heating section in Annex 1 of ISPM 15 (2006-010B);

·         Draft Annex to ISPM 27 - Aphelenchoides besseyi, A. fragariae and A. ritzemabosi (2006‑025);

·         Draft Annex to ISPM 27 - Xanthomonas fragariae (2004-012);

·         Draft Annex to ISPM 27 - Sorghum halepense (2006-027);

·         Draft Annex to ISPM 28 - Heat treatment of wood using dielectric heating (2007-114);

·         Draft Annex to ISPM 28 - Sulphuryl fluoride fumigation of insects in debarked wood (2007‑101A);

·         Draft Annex to ISPM 28 - Sulphuryl fluoride fumigation of nematodes and insects in debarked wood (2007-101B);

·         Draft Annex to ISPM 28 - Vapour heat treatment for Bactrocera tryoni on Mangifera indica (2010-107).

2.14.  Comments must be submitted through the IPPC contact point using the Online Comment System.

2.5  NOTIFICATION PERIOD ON DIAGNOSTIC PROTOCOLS

2.15.  The notification period^[10] started on 1^st July and will close on 15 August 2015 for the following draft diagnostic protocols (DPs):

·         Ditylenchus destructor and Ditylenchus dipsaci (2004-017);

·         Phytoplasmas (2004-018);

·         Genus Anastrepha (2004-015).

2.6  STANDARD SETTING CALENDAR

2.16.  The standard setting calendar is available on the IPP.^[11]

3  National Reporting Obligations

3.1  Contact points

3.1.  Many IPPC contact points have updated their information on the IPP – there are 50 new contact points alone in the last 12 months. Any contracting parties communicating with other IPPC contact points should visit the IPP frequently to ensure they have the latest contact information. Although the "IPPC Year of the IPPC Contact Point" is now complete, the Secretariat continues working with countries to update this information as a matter of high priority.

3.2  International Phytosanitary Portal (IPP) https://www.ippc.int

3.2.  There have been a number of updates on the recently updated IPPC website by contracting parties, along with news and information from the secretariat. Please visit the website regularly to get the latest updates, especially for IPPC contact points as they change frequently.

3.3.  Usage of the NRO webpage continues to increase. Countries that are reporting IPPC obligatory information to the WTO are encouraged to provide this information (minimal modification is necessary) through the IPP to ensure they meet their IPPC reporting obligations.

3.4.  The IPPC continues to see evidence of a lack of coordination and/or communication between SPS authorities and IPPC contact points in countries, as well as a lack of understanding by some governments that meeting their WTO notification obligations does not in any way automatically meet their IPPC reporting obligations; i.e. they are two totally legally independent multi-lateral instruments of equal status. This remains a serious issue of concern.

3.5.  The information available through the IPP has substantially increased the number of resources available to support standard and IPPC implementation, capacity development and the Implementation Review and Support System (IRSS). This information is being increased continually and is available through:

i.        Phytosanitary Resources in Support of IPPC Implementation:

http://www.phytosanitary.info;

ii.       IRSS: https://www.ippc.int/en/irss/activities/;

iii.     IRSS Help Desk: https://www.ippc.int/en/irss/helpdesk/;

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

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

vi.     A summary of IPPC Publications: https://www.ippc.int/en/media-kit/.

3.3  Pest reporting

3.6.  National pest reporting continues to improve but there is still potential for further improvement. The secretariat is working on this information to allow users to access this information in a more constructive and analytical manner.

3.7.  The secretariat is now in a position to accept pest reporting from IPPC contracting parties via EPPO i.e. to undertake pest reporting through the RPPOs (as agreed in CPM). This should significantly increase the number, accuracy and timeliness of pest reports received from EPPO member countries.

3.8.  The secretariat is exploring which other RPPOs and member countries want to make use of this functionality.

3.4  Communications

3.9.  The IPPC Communications Strategy was adopted by CPM-8 (2013). Following a communications needs assessment, an IPPC Communications Work Plan has been developed and was provisionally adopted at CPM-10 (2015). This will provide the IPPC with a clearer plan and prioritization of communication messages and channels.

3.10.  The International Phytosanitary Portal (IPP) has been confirmed as the IPPC's main communication tool, and an IPPC newsletter has been developed. New publications and manuals are also under development.

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

i.        Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/International-Plant-Protection-Convention-IPPC/113230338690380;

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.

4  Dispute Settlement

4.1.  The IPPC secretariat has for a number of years been very active in dispute avoidance and this remains the focus for IPPC contracting parties. The secretariat is revising all documentation to explicitly detail options available for dispute avoidance.

4.2.  The IPPC is also engaged with the two of the IPPC contracting parties in the resolution of a dispute. The formation of an expert panel to review the issue has been somewhat difficult as options are quite limited for panellists without prior involvement in this issue. In fact, plans are currently under way for the formation of an expert panel to resolve this outstanding phytosanitary dispute.

5  IPPC Capacity Development Committee (CDC)

5.1.  The Seventh Session of Commission on Phytosanitary Measures (CPM-7, 2012) established the IPPC Capacity Development Committee (CDC) as a technical structure to provide oversight and contribute to the delivery of the IPPC Strategic Objective of developing national phytosanitary capacity of its members.

5.2.  In establishing the CDC, the CPM also decided that after two years (at CPM-9 in 2014) the CPM would review the function of the CDC including deciding whether to establish a subsidiary body. Regrettably, the review was not completed in time for to CPM-10 (2015), and instead the functions of the CDC will remain as they are until CPM-11 (2016).

6  Technical resources and other information for technical assistance

6.1.  The phytosanitary technical resources web page (http://www.phytosanitary.info) has the objective to be used as an information platform for technical resources to support the implementation of the IPPC and its standards. The page includes various categories of phytosanitary resources and tools (advocacy, diagnostic protocols, guides, manuals, pest information, photos, standard operating procedures, videos, etc.).

6.2.  Additional new materials such as manuals that were developed under the auspice of the IPPC secretariat and with the direction of the CDC have been posted on the web page. Other materials in development will be made available in the near future.

7  Regional IPPC workshops

7.1.  The IPPC continues to support and attend the regional IPPC workshops to review draft International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures (ISPMs) to the greatest extent possible based on the resources available.

7.2.  The workshops now address a broader range of IPPC-related issues in addition to disucss and prepare the comments on draft ISPMs. These regional IPPC workshops are planned in cooperation with a range of regional partners, and some with EU funding.

8  Implementation Review and support system (IRSS)

8.1.  The second 3 year cycle of the IRSS began in April 2014 and is focusing 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 convened in Rome in August 2014 and considered 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.  Subsequent to this meeting, as well as discussions held in the Strategic Planning Group and Bureau, CPM-10 (2014) agreed to go forward, if resources become available, with an implementation program focusing on ISPM 6 which covers surveillance.

9  Resource Mobilization

9.1.  The secretariat would like to thank all those contracting parties and other donors who contributed to the 2014 budget and activities of the IPPC. The IPPC once again encourages them to consider future, sustainable contributions. These donations will help to ensure the core work programme will be delivered. A full list of support is made available to CPM each year and can be found at: https://www.ippc.int/resource-mobilisation.

9.2.  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, and in the absence of additional voluntary contributions for 2016 will be drastically reduced. The secretariat staff continues to engage in discussions with the governing body as well as traditional and non‑traditional partners to improve the situation.

9.3.  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 faces 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 Online Comment System.

9.4.  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.

10  Cooperation with the WTO Standard Setting Organizations

10.1.  The IPPC secretariat would like to once again draw attention to the following current on-going activities with Codex and OIE:

i.        Codex and the IPPC continue explore ways of addressing their IT needs in a more sustainable manner and share tools and skills when appropriate;

ii.       Codex and the IPPC are now collaborating fully in the operational maintenance and improvement of the Online Comment System;

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

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

v.      The secretariat continues to participate in coordination meetings between the "three sisters" to improve coordination and collaboration in SPS Committee meetings;

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

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

__________