This is a brief summary of the leaning outcomes for the Introductory Course to the International Plant Protection Convention

IPPC - The International Plant Protection Convention

This is an international plant health agreement that aims to protect, cultivated and wild plants by preventing the introduction and spread of plant pests and diseases. The Convention was adopted in 1951 at the conference of FAO - the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. In 1992 the IPPC Secretariat was established beginning standard-setting programme. Over 180 countries signed the Convention.

Benefits of the IPPC

1.      protecting farmers and foresters from the introduction and spread of new pests

2.      protecting food security

3. protecting the natural environment, plant species and diversity

4.      protecting producers and consumers from costs associated with combating and eradicating pest

ISPM’S - of international standards on phytosanitary measures.

The intention of international standards is to harmonize phytosanitary measures with the purpose of facilitating safe international trade. ISPMs cover a wide range of activities, which include but are not limited to, surveillance, pest risk analysis, the establishment of pest free areas, export certification, phytosanitary certificates and pest reporting

National plant protection organizations (NPPOs)

The official service established by a government to discharge the functions specified by the Convention.

Main function of NPPO’s

1.      Surveillance

2.      Inspection

3.      Issuing phytosanitary certificates

4.      Establish and maintain pest free areas

5.      Training and development

CPM – Commission on Phytosanitary Measures

The IPPC is governed by the Commission on Phytosanitary Measures (CPM), which was established under Article XI of the IPPC and serves as the Convention's governing body. The CPM meets during March or April each year usually at FAO headquarters in Rome, Italy

CPM roles is to;

1.     Reviews global plant protection needs

2.     Develops and adopts ISPMs

3. Establishes procedures for dispute resolution
4. Promotes technical assistance to build phytosanitary capacity
5. Cooperates with RPPOs and other international organizations on matters relating to the Convention.

 

There are 2 subsidiary bodies: Standards Committee and Implementation and Capacity Development Committee.

Standards Committee

The SC meets twice a year and is responsible for:

1. Overseeing the IPPC standard setting process;

2. Managing the development of International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures (ISPMs); and

3. Providing guidance and oversight to the work of Technical Panels (TPs) and Expert Working Groups (EWGs).

 

Implementation and Capacity Development Committee (IC)

The IC develops, monitors and oversees an integrated programme to support the implementation of the IPPC and strengthen the phytosanitary capacity of contracting parties. The IC meets twice a year.

The scope of the IC includes:

1. Identification and review of the baseline capacity and capability required by contracting parties to implement the IPPC.

2. Analysis of issues constraining the effective implementation of the IPPC and development of innovative ways to address impediments.

3. Development, facilitation and delivery of the implementation support programme to enable contracting parties to meet and surpass the baseline capacity and capability.

4. Monitoring and evaluation of the efficacy and impact of implementation activities and reporting on progress which indicates the State of Plant Protection in the World.

5. Oversight of dispute avoidance and settlement processes.

6. Oversight of national reporting obligation processes.

Relationship with other international organizations and agreements includes the WTO, the World Trade Organization deals with the Agreement on the Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures — the SPS Agreement — is of particular relevance to the IPPC. It requires that WTO members should base their phytosanitary measures on international standards developed by the IPPC; however, the Convention and the SPS Agreement are distinct in their scope and purpose and have slightly different membership.

While the Convention on Biological Diversity addresses biodiversity and the environment in general, the IPPC specifically concentrates on Invasive Alien Species that are pests of plants and provides guidance for protection against them. Although the mandates of the IPPC and CBD differ slightly in their protection of the environment, there are many synergies between the two conventions