SIXTH REVIEW OF THE OPERATION AND IMPLEMENTATION OF THE AGREEMENT
ON THE APPLICATION OF SANITARY AND PHYTOSANITARY MEASURES

ADDRESSING THE CHALLENGES OF the APPLICATION of a SYSTEMs APpROACH
to MINIMIZING PHYTOSANITARY RISK

proposal from INDONESIA

The following proposal, received on 19 April 2024, is being circulated at the request of the delegation of Indonesia.

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1  BACKGROUND

1.1.  According to the definition by the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC), a systems approach is the integration of different phytosanitary measures, which are aimed at reducing the risk of pest and pathogen movement to the appropriate level of phytosanitary protection.

1.2.  Through the use of the phytosanitary systems approach, countries can address potential biosecurity risks that may arise from domestic or international trade of agriculture or horticulture produce. Indeed, the systems approach can also reduce the risk of pests being transferred on carriers such as vehicles, soil and processed goods.

1.3.  In this regard, the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) has developed international standards to mitigate the spread of quarantine pests and diseases through trade between countries.

1.4.  Examples of such standards are, among others, International Standard for Phytosanitary Measures (ISPM) 7, which describes the components of a national system for the issuance of phytosanitary certificates, designed to provide the appropriate level of protection for importing countries, and ISPM 14, which outlines the use of integrated measures in a systems approach for pest risk management.

1.5.  To adopt these standards, each country tailors its approach based on local agroecosystem conditions and the distribution patterns of quarantine pests. National Plant Protection Organizations of exporting and importing countries may also conclude an agreement to mitigate phytosanitary risks, which may vary based on the countries involved, traded plant and plant-products, and the types of pest and diseases regulated.

1.6.  While there have been many systems approach-based protocols being used for international trade, there are still opportunities to increase their application. Currently, systems approaches are more often being applied to pests that are considered to be lower risk. Nevertheless, there is still a lot of potential to further develop the systems approach-based protocol for high-risk pests and pathogens.

1.7.  Furthermore, while importing countries can determine the level of protection they consider appropriate to protect human, animal or plant life or health within their territory, and the required level of efficacy for a phytosanitary protocol – importing countries often impose more stringent phytosanitary requirements, which may include a prohibition to import plant or plant-products from countries infested by certain pest and diseases.

1.8.  Such practice may potentially constitute as a violation to the SPS Agreement, especially if some parts of the countries have actually been designated free from such pest and diseases. As such, it is important to identify and address the challenges of the application of systems approaches in order to minimize the phytosanitary risk from the trade of agriculture or horticulture produce.

2  Objective

2.1.  The purposes of this proposed thematic session are:

-_        To draw insights from the experience of Members that have already implemented systems approaches, such as ISPM 7, ISPM 14 or similar measures, with a view to optimize Members' own phytosanitary certification processes;

-_        To identify challenges in preparing a national phytosanitary capacity development strategy, including with regard to the issuance of phytosanitary certificates;

-_        To identify challenges in meeting phytosanitary requirements of importing Members – as well as seek to explore the appropriate solutions to address such challenges;

-_        To promote compliance with the SPS Agreement and facilitate trade of pest- and disease-free plant and plant products.

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