G/SPS/W/365  
 
24 April 2024 
(24-3359) Page: 1/2 
Committee on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures  Original: English  
 
 
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 SYSTEM S 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 system s 
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 th e 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 system s 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 cou ntries.  
1.4.  Examples of such standard s are , among others , International Standard for Phytosanitary 
Measure s (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 approach es 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 system s 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 requirem ents, which may include a prohibition to import plant or plant -products from 
countries in fested by certain pest and diseases.  G/SPS/W/365  
 
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  1.8.  Such practice may potentially constitute as a violation to the SPS Agreement, especially if some 
parts of the countries have actua lly been designated free from such pest and diseases. As such, it  is 
important to identify and address the challenges of  the application of system s approach es 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 system s 
approach es, 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 req uirements 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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