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).
_______________
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.
__________