WORLD TRADE G/SPS/GEN/51
17February 1998
ORGANIZATION(98-0565)
Original: English Committee onSanitary andPhytosanitary Measures
ADOPTION OFTHE NEW REVISED TEXT OFTHE
INTERNATIONAL PLANT PROTECTION CONVENTION (IPPC)
Statement bytheSecretariat oftheIPPC
1. TheSecretariat oftheInternational Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) ispleased toprovide
WTO Members withtheNewRevised TextoftheInternational PlantProtection Convention asadopted
inNovember 1997bytheConference ofFAOinits29thSession. Thisisaccompanied byResolution
12/97 ofthe29thConference, approving theamendments totheConvention andestablishing interim
measures untiltheNewRevised Textcomes intoforce.
2. Thesubstantial changes totheConvention havelargely addressed therelationship oftheIPPC
totheAgreement ontheApplication ofSanitary andPhytosanitary Measures resulting fromtheUruguay
Round negotiations. TheRevised NewTextnowclearly recognizes theroleandactivities envisioned
fortheIPPCbytheSPSAgreement,particularlytheconceptsofinternationallyharmonizedphytosanitary
measuresandstandards.SupportingthisisprovisionfortheSecretariatandstandard-settingmechanisms,
including theestablishment ofaCommission onPhytosanitary Measures toprovide direction tothe
Secretariat andenhance standard adoption procedures.
3. Other important changes intheConvention include expanding theconcept ofphytosanitary
measures toinclude regulated non-quarantine pests andclearly linking thetechnical justification for
measures toriskanalysis. Inaddition, theNew Revised Textmakes provision fortheEuropean
Community tobecome acontracting party, itelaborates better processes fordispute settlement, updates
phytosanitary certification procedures andformats, andbetter defines therelationship oftheConvention
toRegional Plant Protection Organizations.
4. TheNewRevised Textrepresents theresult oftwoyears'efforts bytheFAO andMembers
oftheIPPC tonegotiate anamended agreement which reflects acontemporary approach totheprotection
ofplant resources inthecontext ofincreasingly globalized trade. Theamendments clearly establish
andreinforce thecomplementary roleoftheConvention totheSPSAgreement.
5. Two-thirds (71)ofthecurrent 106Contracting Parties totheIPPC arerequired toaccept the
amendments before theNewRevised Textcomes intoforce.1Itishoped thatthiswilloccur rapidly
soastominimize thetimeforimplementation ofthenewConvention. WTO Members inparticular
areurged todeposit theirinstruments ofacceptance oradherence withtheDirector General ofFAO
asearly aspossible todemonstrate their support forthealignment oftheConvention totheSPS
Agreement andtosecure theirposition inphytosanitary standard-setting activities under theConvention.
1IPPC Members asof5February 1998 areidentified inG/SPS/GEN/49.G/SPS/GEN/51
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ANNEX 1
INTERNATIONAL PLANT PROTECTION CONVENTION
(New Revised Textapproved bytheFAO Conference
atits29thSession -November 1997)
PREAMBLE
Thecontracting parties,
-recognizing thenecessity forinternational cooperation incontrolling pestsofplants andplant
products andinpreventing theirinternational spread, andespecially theirintroduction into
endangered areas;
-recognizing thatphytosanitary measures should betechnically justified, transparent andshould
notbeapplied insuch awayastoconstitute either ameans ofarbitrary orunjustified
discrimination oradisguised restriction, particularly oninternational trade;
-desiring toensure close coordination ofmeasures directed tothese ends;
-desiringtoprovideaframeworkforthedevelopmentandapplicationofharmonizedphytosanitary
measures andtheelaboration ofinternational standards tothateffect;
-taking intoaccount internationally approved principles governing theprotection ofplant, human
andanimal health, andtheenvironment; and
-noting theagreements concluded asaresult oftheUruguay Round ofMultilateral Trade
Negotiations, including theAgreement ontheApplication ofSanitary andPhytosanitary
Measures;
haveagreed asfollows:
ARTICLE I
Purpose andresponsibility
1. Withthepurpose ofsecuring common andeffective action toprevent thespread andintroduction
ofpests ofplants andplant products, andtopromote appropriate measures fortheir control, the
contracting parties undertake toadopt thelegislative, technical andadministrative measures specified
inthisConvention andinsupplementary agreements pursuant toArticle XVI.
2. Each contracting party shallassume responsibility, without prejudice toobligations assumed
under other international agreements, forthefulfilment within itsterritories ofallrequirements under
thisConvention.G/SPS/GEN/51
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3. Thedivision ofresponsibilities forthefulfilment oftherequirements ofthisConvention between
member organizations ofFAOandtheirmember states thatarecontracting parties shallbeinaccordance
withtheirrespective competencies.
4. Where appropriate, theprovisions ofthisConvention maybedeemed bycontracting parties
toextend,inadditiontoplantsandplantproducts,tostorageplaces,packaging,conveyances,containers,
soilandanyother organism, object ormaterial capable ofharbouring orspreading plant pests,
particularly where international transportation isinvolved.
ARTICLE II
Useofterms
1. Forthepurpose ofthisConvention, thefollowing terms shallhavethemeanings hereunder
assigned tothem:
"Area oflowpestprevalence" -anarea, whether allofacountry, partofacountry, orallorparts
ofseveral countries, asidentified bythecompetent authorities, inwhich aspecific pestoccurs atlow
levels andwhich issubject toeffective surveillance, control oreradication measures;
"Commission" -theCommission onPhytosanitary Measures established under Article XI;
"Endangered area" -anareawhere ecological factors favour theestablishment ofapestwhose presence
intheareawillresult ineconomically important loss;
"Establishment" -perpetuation, fortheforeseeable future, ofapestwithin anareaafterentry;
"Harmonized phytosanitary measures" -phytosanitary measures established bycontracting parties based
oninternational standards;
"Internationalstandards"-internationalstandardsestablishedinaccordancewithArticleX,paragraphs1
and2;
"Introduction" -theentry ofapestresulting initsestablishment;
"Pest" -anyspecies, strain orbiotype ofplant, animal orpathogenic agent injurious toplants orplant
products;
"Pest riskanalysis" -theprocess ofevaluating biological orother scientific andeconomic evidence
todetermine whether apestshould beregulated andthestrength ofanyphytosanitary measures to
betaken against it;
"Phytosanitary measure" -anylegislation, regulation orofficial procedure having thepurpose toprevent
theintroduction and/or spread ofpests;
"Plant products" -unmanufactured material ofplant origin (including grain) andthose manufactured
products that,bytheirnature orthatoftheirprocessing, maycreate ariskfortheintroduction and
spread ofpests;
"Plants" -living plants andparts thereof, including seeds andgermplasm;G/SPS/GEN/51
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"Quarantine pest" -apestofpotential economic importance totheareaendangered thereby andnot
yetpresent there, orpresent butnotwidely distributed andbeing officially controlled;
"Regional standards" -standards established byaregional plantprotection organization fortheguidance
ofthemembers ofthatorganization;
"Regulated article" -anyplant, plant product, storage place, packaging, conveyance, container, soil
andanyother organism, object ormaterial capable ofharbouring orspreading pests, deemed torequire
phytosanitary measures, particularly where international transportation isinvolved;
"Regulated non-quarantine pest" -anon-quarantine pestwhose presence inplants forplanting affects
theintended useofthose plants withaneconomically unacceptable impact andwhich istherefore
regulated within theterritory oftheimporting contracting party;
"Regulated pest" -aquarantine pestoraregulated non-quarantine pest;
"Secretary" -Secretary oftheCommission appointed pursuant toArticle XII;
"Technically justified" -justified onthebasisofconclusions reached byusing anappropriate pestrisk
analysis or,where applicable, another comparable examination andevaluation ofavailable scientific
information.
2. Thedefinitions setforth inthisArticle, being limited totheapplication ofthisConvention,
shallnotbedeemed toaffect definitions established under domestic lawsorregulations ofcontracting
parties.
ARTICLE III
Relationship withother international agreements
Nothing inthisConvention shallaffect therights andobligations ofthecontracting parties under relevant
international agreements.
ARTICLE IV
General provisions relating totheorganizational
arrangements fornational plant protection
1. Each contracting party shallmake provision, tothebestofitsability, foranofficial national
plant protection organization withthemain responsibilities setoutinthisArticle.
2. Theresponsibilities ofanofficial national plant protection organization shall include the
following:
(a) theissuance ofcertificates relating tothephytosanitary regulations oftheimporting
contracting partyforconsignments ofplants, plantproducts andotherregulated articles;
(b) thesurveillance ofgrowing plants, including bothareas under cultivation (interalia
fields, plantations, nurseries, gardens, greenhouses andlaboratories) andwildflora,
andofplants andplant products instorage orintransportation, particularly withtheG/SPS/GEN/51
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object ofreporting theoccurrence, outbreak andspread ofpests, andofcontrolling
those pests, including thereporting referred tounder Article VIIIparagraph 1(a);
(c) theinspection ofconsignments ofplants andplant products moving ininternational
traffic and,where appropriate, theinspection ofother regulated articles, particularly
withtheobject ofpreventing theintroduction and/or spread ofpests;
(d) thedisinfestation ordisinfection ofconsignments ofplants, plant products andother
regulated articles moving ininternational traffic, tomeetphytosanitary requirements;
(e) theprotection ofendangered areas andthedesignation, maintenance andsurveillance
ofpestfreeareas andareas oflowpestprevalence;
(f) theconduct ofpestriskanalyses;
(g) toensurethroughappropriateproceduresthatthephytosanitarysecurityofconsignments
aftercertification regarding composition, substitution andreinfestation ismaintained
prior toexport; and
(h) training anddevelopment ofstaff.
3. Each contracting party shallmake provision, tothebestofitsability, forthefollowing:
(a) thedistribution ofinformation within theterritory ofthecontracting party regarding
regulated pests andthemeans oftheirprevention andcontrol;
(b) research andinvestigation inthefieldofplant protection;
(c) theissuance ofphytosanitary regulations; and
(d) theperformance ofsuchother functions asmayberequired fortheimplementation
ofthisConvention.
4. Each contracting party shall submit adescription ofitsofficial national plant protection
organization andofchanges insuchorganization totheSecretary. Acontracting party shallprovide
adescription ofitsorganizational arrangements forplantprotection toanother contracting party, upon
request.
ARTICLE V
Phytosanitary certification
1. Eachcontractingpartyshallmakearrangementsforphytosanitarycertification,withtheobjective
ofensuring thatexported plants, plantproducts andother regulated articles andconsignments thereof
areinconformity withthecertifying statement tobemade pursuant toparagraph 2(b)ofthisArticle.
2. Eachcontracting party shallmake arrangements fortheissuance ofphytosanitary certificates
inconformity withthefollowing provisions:
(a) Inspection andother related activities leading toissuance ofphytosanitary certificates
shallbecarried outonlybyorunder theauthority oftheofficial national plantprotectionG/SPS/GEN/51
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organization. Theissuance ofphytosanitary certificates shallbecarried outbypublic
officers whoaretechnically qualified anddulyauthorized bytheofficial national plant
protection organization toactonitsbehalf andunder itscontrol withsuchknowledge
andinformation available tothose officers thattheauthorities ofimporting contracting
parties mayaccept thephytosanitary certificates with confidence asdependable
documents.
(b) Phytosanitarycertificates,ortheirelectronicequivalentwhereacceptedbytheimporting
contracting party concerned, shallbeasworded inthemodels setoutintheAnnex
tothisConvention.Thesecertificatesshouldbecompletedandissuedtakingintoaccount
relevant international standards.
(c) Uncertified alterations orerasures shallinvalidate thecertificates.
3. Each contracting party undertakes nottorequire consignments ofplants orplant products or
other regulated articles imported intoitsterritories tobeaccompanied byphytosanitary certificates
inconsistent withthemodels setoutintheAnnex tothisConvention. Anyrequirements foradditional
declarations shallbelimited tothose technically justified.
ARTICLE VI
Regulated pests
1. Contracting parties mayrequire phytosanitary measures forquarantine pestsandregulated non-
quarantine pests, provided thatsuchmeasures are:
(a) nomorestringent thanmeasures applied tothesamepests, ifpresent within theterritory
oftheimporting contracting party; and
(b) limited towhatisnecessary toprotect plant health and/or safeguard theintended use
andcanbetechnically justified bythecontracting party concerned.
2. Contracting parties shallnotrequire phytosanitary measures fornon-regulated pests.
ARTICLE VII
Requirements inrelation toimports
1. Withtheaimofpreventing theintroduction and/or spread ofregulated pestsintotheirterritories,
contracting parties shallhavesovereign authority toregulate, inaccordance withapplicable international
agreements, theentry ofplants andplant products andother regulated articles and,tothisend,may:
(a) prescribe andadopt phytosanitary measures concerning theimportation ofplants, plant
products andother regulated articles, including, forexample, inspection, prohibition
onimportation, andtreatment;
(b) refuse entry ordetain, orrequire treatment, destruction orremoval fromtheterritory
ofthecontracting party, ofplants, plant products andother regulated articles or
consignments thereof thatdonotcomply withthephytosanitary measures prescribed
oradopted under subparagraph (a);G/SPS/GEN/51
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(c) prohibit orrestrict themovement ofregulated pests intotheirterritories;
(d) prohibit orrestrict themovement ofbiological control agents andother organisms of
phytosanitary concern claimed tobebeneficial intotheirterritories.
2. Inorder tominimize interference withinternational trade, eachcontracting party, inexercising
itsauthority under paragraph 1ofthisArticle, undertakes toactinconformity withthefollowing:
(a) Contracting parties shallnot,under theirphytosanitary legislation, takeanyofthe
measures specified inparagraph 1ofthisArticle unless suchmeasures aremade
necessary byphytosanitary considerations andaretechnically justified.
(b) Contracting parties shall, immediately upon their adoption, publish andtransmit
phytosanitary requirements, restrictions andprohibitions toanycontracting party or
parties thattheybelieve maybedirectly affected bysuchmeasures.
(c) Contracting parties shall, onrequest, make available toanycontracting party the
rationale forphytosanitary requirements, restrictions andprohibitions.
(d) Ifacontracting party requires consignments ofparticular plants orplant products to
beimported onlythrough specified points ofentry, suchpoints shallbesoselected
asnottounnecessarily impede international trade. Thecontracting party shallpublish
alistofsuchpoints ofentry andcommunicate ittotheSecretary, anyregional plant
protection organization ofwhich thecontracting party isamember, allcontracting
parties which thecontracting partybelieves tobedirectly affected, andothercontracting
parties uponrequest. Suchrestrictions onpoints ofentry shallnotbemade unless the
plants, plant products orother regulated articles concerned arerequired tobe
accompanied byphytosanitary certificates ortobesubmitted toinspection ortreatment.
(e) Anyinspection orother phytosanitary procedure required bytheplant protection
organization ofacontracting party foraconsignment ofplants, plantproducts orother
regulated articles offered forimportation, shalltakeplace aspromptly aspossible with
dueregard totheirperishability.
(f) Importingcontractingpartiesshall,assoonaspossible,informtheexportingcontracting
party concerned or,where appropriate, there-exporting contracting party concerned,
ofsignificantinstancesofnon-compliancewithphytosanitarycertification.Theexporting
contracting party or,where appropriate, there-exporting contracting party concerned,
should investigate and,onrequest, report theresult ofitsinvestigation totheimporting
contracting party concerned.
(g) Contracting parties shall institute onlyphytosanitary measures thataretechnically
justified, consistent withthepestriskinvolved andrepresent theleastrestrictive
measuresavailable,andresultintheminimumimpedimenttotheinternationalmovement
ofpeople, commodities andconveyances.
(h) Contracting parties shall, asconditions change, andasnewfactsbecome available,
ensure thatphytosanitary measures arepromptly modified orremoved iffound tobe
unnecessary.
(i) Contracting parties shall, tothebestoftheir ability, establish andupdate listsof
regulated pests, using scientific names, andmake suchlistsavailable totheSecretary,G/SPS/GEN/51
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toregional plantprotection organizations ofwhich theyaremembers and,onrequest,
toother contracting parties.
(j) Contracting parties shall, tothebestoftheirability, conduct surveillance forpestsand
develop andmaintain adequate information onpeststatus inorder tosupport
categorization ofpests, andforthedevelopment ofappropriate phytosanitary measures.
Thisinformation shallbemade available tocontracting parties, onrequest.
3. Acontracting party mayapply measures specified inthisArticle topests which maynotbe
capable ofestablishment initsterritories but,iftheygained entry, cause economic damage. Measures
taken against these pests must betechnically justified.
4. ContractingpartiesmayapplymeasuresspecifiedinthisArticletoconsignmentsintransitthrough
their territories onlywhere such measures aretechnically justified andnecessary toprevent the
introduction and/or spread ofpests.
5. NothinginthisArticleshallpreventimportingcontractingpartiesfrommakingspecialprovision,
subject toadequate safeguards, fortheimportation, forthepurpose ofscientific research, education,
orother specific use,ofplants andplant products andother regulated articles, andofplant pests.
6. Nothing inthisArticle shallprevent anycontracting party fromtaking appropriate emergency
action onthedetection ofapestposing apotential threat toitsterritories orthereport ofsuchadetection.
Anysuchaction shallbeevaluated assoonaspossible toensure thatitscontinuance isjustified. The
action taken shallbeimmediately reported tocontracting parties concerned, theSecretary, andany
regional plant protection organization ofwhich thecontracting party isamember.
ARTICLE VIII
International cooperation
1. Thecontracting parties shallcooperate withoneanother tothefullest practicable extent in
achieving theaimsofthisConvention, andshallinparticular:
(a) cooperate intheexchange ofinformation onplant pests, particularly thereporting of
theoccurrence, outbreak orspread ofpests thatmaybeofimmediate orpotential
danger, inaccordance withsuchprocedures asmaybeestablished bytheCommission;
(b) participate, insofarasispracticable, inanyspecial campaigns forcombatting pests
thatmayseriously threaten cropproduction andneedinternational action tomeetthe
emergencies; and
(c) cooperate, totheextent practicable, inproviding technical andbiological information
necessary forpestriskanalysis.
2. Eachcontracting partyshalldesignate acontact pointfortheexchange ofinformation connected
withtheimplementation ofthisConvention.G/SPS/GEN/51
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ARTICLE IX
Regional plant protection organizations
1. Thecontracting parties undertake tocooperate withoneanother inestablishing regional plant
protection organizations inappropriate areas.
2. Theregional plantprotection organizations shallfunction asthecoordinating bodies intheareas
covered, shallparticipate invarious activities toachieve theobjectives ofthisConvention and,where
appropriate, shallgather anddisseminate information.
3. Theregional plantprotection organizations shallcooperate withtheSecretary inachieving the
objectives oftheConvention and,where appropriate, cooperate withtheSecretary andtheCommission
indeveloping international standards.
4. TheSecretary willconvene regular Technical Consultations ofrepresentatives ofregional plant
protection organizations to:
(a) promote thedevelopment anduseofrelevant international standards forphytosanitary
measures; and
(b) encourage inter-regional cooperation inpromoting harmonized phytosanitary measures
forcontrolling pests andinpreventing theirspread and/or introduction.
ARTICLE X
Standards
1. Thecontracting parties agree tocooperate inthedevelopment ofinternational standards in
accordance withtheprocedures adopted bytheCommission.
2. International standards shallbeadopted bytheCommission.
3. Regional standards should beconsistent withtheprinciples ofthisConvention; suchstandards
maybedeposited withtheCommission forconsideration ascandidates forinternational standards for
phytosanitary measures ifmore broadly applicable.
4. Contracting parties should takeintoaccount, asappropriate, international standards when
undertaking activities related tothisConvention.
ARTICLE XI
Commission onPhytosanitary Measures
1. Contracting parties agree toestablish theCommission onPhytosanitary Measures within the
framework oftheFood andAgriculture Organization oftheUnited Nations (FAO).
2. Thefunctions oftheCommission shallbetopromote thefullimplementation oftheobjectives
oftheConvention and,inparticular, to:G/SPS/GEN/51
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(a) review thestateofplantprotection intheworld andtheneedforaction tocontrol the
international spread ofpests andtheirintroduction intoendangered areas;
(b) establish andkeepunder review thenecessary institutional arrangements andprocedures
forthedevelopment andadoption ofinternational standards, andtoadopt international
standards;
(c) establish rules andprocedures fortheresolution ofdisputes inaccordance with
Article XIII;
(d) establish suchsubsidiary bodies oftheCommission asmaybenecessary fortheproper
implementation ofitsfunctions;
(e) adopt guidelines regarding therecognition ofregional plant protection organizations;
establish cooperation withotherrelevant international organizations onmatters covered
bythisConvention;
(f) adopt suchrecommendations fortheimplementation oftheConvention asnecessary;
and
(g) perform suchother functions asmaybenecessary tothefulfilment oftheobjectives
ofthisConvention.
3. Membership intheCommission shallbeopentoallcontracting parties.
4. Eachcontracting party mayberepresented atsessions oftheCommission byasingle delegate
whomaybeaccompanied byanalternate, andbyexperts andadvisers. Alternates, experts andadvisers
maytakepartintheproceedings oftheCommission butmaynotvote,except inthecaseofanalternate
whoisdulyauthorized tosubstitute forthedelegate.
5. Thecontracting parties shallmake every effort toreach agreement onallmatters byconsensus.
Ifallefforts toreach consensus havebeenexhausted andnoagreement isreached, thedecision shall,
asalastresort, betaken byatwo-thirds majority ofthecontracting parties present andvoting.
6. Amember organization ofFAOthatisacontracting partyandthemember states ofthatmember
organizationthatarecontractingpartiesshallexercisetheirmembershiprightsandfulfiltheirmembership
obligations inaccordance, mutatis mutandis ,withtheConstitution andGeneral Rules ofFAO.
7. TheCommission mayadopt andamend, asrequired, itsownRules ofProcedure, which shall
notbeinconsistent withthisConvention orwiththeConstitution ofFAO.
8. TheChairperson oftheCommission shallconvene anannual regular session oftheCommission.
9. Special sessions oftheCommission shallbeconvened bytheChairperson oftheCommission
attherequest ofatleastone-third ofitsmembers.
10. TheCommission shallelectitsChairperson andnomore thantwoVice-Chairpersons, each
ofwhom shallserve foratermoftwoyears.G/SPS/GEN/51
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ARTICLE XII
Secretariat
1. TheSecretary oftheCommission shallbeappointed bytheDirector-General ofFAO.
2. TheSecretary shallbeassisted bysuchsecretariat staffasmayberequired.
3. TheSecretaryshallberesponsibleforimplementingthepoliciesandactivitiesoftheCommission
andcarrying outsuchother functions asmaybeassigned totheSecretary bythisConvention andshall
report thereon totheCommission.
4. TheSecretary shalldisseminate:
(a) international standards toallcontracting parties within sixty daysofadoption;
(b) toallcontracting parties, listsofpoints ofentry under Article VIIparagraph 2(d)
communicated bycontracting parties;
(c) listsofregulated pests whose entry isprohibited orreferred toinArticle VII
paragraph 2(i)toallcontracting parties andregional plant protection organizations;
(d) informationreceivedfromcontractingpartiesonphytosanitaryrequirements,restrictions
andprohibitions referred toinArticle VIIparagraph 2(b),anddescriptions ofofficial
national plant protection organizations referred toinArticle IVparagraph 4.
5. TheSecretary shallprovide translations intheofficial languages ofFAO ofdocumentation
formeetings oftheCommission andinternational standards.
6. TheSecretary shallcooperate withregional plantprotection organizations inachieving theaims
oftheConvention.
ARTICLE XIII
Settlement ofdisputes
1. Ifthere isanydispute regarding theinterpretation orapplication ofthisConvention, orifa
contracting partyconsiders thatanyaction byanother contracting partyisinconflict withtheobligations
ofthelatter under Articles VandVIIofthisConvention, especially regarding thebasisofprohibiting
orrestricting theimports ofplants, plantproducts orotherregulated articles coming fromitsterritories,
thecontracting parties concerned shallconsult among themselves assoonaspossible withaviewto
resolving thedispute.
2. Ifthedispute cannot beresolved bythemeans referred toinparagraph 1,thecontracting party
orparties concerned mayrequest theDirector-General ofFAO toappoint acommittee ofexperts to
consider thequestion indispute, inaccordance withrulesandprocedures thatmaybeestablished by
theCommission.
3. ThisCommittee shallinclude representatives designated byeachcontracting party concerned.
TheCommittee shallconsider thequestion indispute, taking intoaccount alldocuments andotherforms
ofevidence submitted bythecontracting parties concerned. TheCommittee shallprepare areport onG/SPS/GEN/51
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thetechnical aspects ofthedispute forthepurpose ofseeking itsresolution. Thepreparation ofthe
report anditsapproval shallbeaccording torulesandprocedures established bytheCommission, and
itshallbetransmitted bytheDirector-General tothecontracting parties concerned. Thereport may
alsobesubmitted, uponitsrequest, tothecompetent bodyoftheinternational organization responsible
forresolving trade disputes.
4. Thecontracting parties agree thattherecommendations ofsuchacommittee, while notbinding
incharacter, willbecome thebasis forrenewed consideration bythecontracting parties concerned
ofthematter outofwhich thedisagreement arose.
5. Thecontracting parties concerned shallshare theexpenses oftheexperts.
6. Theprovisions ofthisArticle shallbecomplementary toandnotinderogation ofthedispute
settlement procedures provided forinother international agreements dealing withtrade matters.
ARTICLE XIV
Substitution ofprior agreements
ThisConvention shallterminate andreplace, between contracting parties, theInternational Convention
respecting measures tobetaken against thePhylloxera vastatrix of3November 1881, theadditional
Convention signed atBerne on15April 1889 andtheInternational Convention fortheProtection of
Plants signed atRome on16April 1929.
ARTICLE XV
Territorial application
1. Anycontracting party mayatthetimeofratification oradherence oratanytimethereafter
communicate totheDirector-General ofFAO adeclaration thatthisConvention shallextend toall
oranyoftheterritories fortheinternational relations ofwhich itisresponsible, andthisConvention
shallbeapplicable toallterritories specified inthedeclaration asfromthethirtieth dayafterthereceipt
ofthedeclaration bytheDirector-General.
2. Anycontracting party which hascommunicated totheDirector-General ofFAOadeclaration
inaccordance withparagraph 1ofthisArticle mayatanytimecommunicate afurther declaration
modifying thescope ofanyformer declaration orterminating theapplication oftheprovisions ofthe
present Convention inrespect ofanyterritory. Such modification ortermination shalltakeeffect as
from thethirtieth dayafterthereceipt ofthedeclaration bytheDirector-General.
3. TheDirector-General ofFAO shallinform allcontracting parties ofanydeclaration received
under thisArticle.
ARTICLE XVI
Supplementary agreements
1. Thecontracting parties may, forthepurpose ofmeeting special problems ofplant protection
which needparticular attention oraction, enterintosupplementary agreements. Suchagreements mayG/SPS/GEN/51
Page13
beapplicable tospecific regions, tospecific pests, tospecific plants andplant products, tospecific
methods ofinternational transportation ofplants andplant products, orotherwise supplement the
provisions ofthisConvention.
2. Anysuchsupplementary agreements shallcome intoforceforeachcontracting partyconcerned
afteracceptance inaccordance withtheprovisions ofthesupplementary agreements concerned.
3. Supplementary agreements shallpromote theintent ofthisConvention andshallconform to
theprinciples andprovisions ofthisConvention, aswellastotheprinciples oftransparency, non-
discrimination andtheavoidance ofdisguised restrictions, particularly oninternational trade.
ARTICLE XVII
Ratification andadherence
1. ThisConvention shallbeopenforsignature byallstates until1May1952andshallberatified
attheearliest possible date. Theinstruments ofratification shallbedeposited withtheDirector-General
ofFAO, whoshallgivenotice ofthedateofdeposit toeachofthesignatory states.
2. AssoonasthisConvention hascome intoforce inaccordance withArticle XXII itshallbe
openforadherence bynon-signatory states andmember organizations ofFAO. Adherence shallbe
effected bythedeposit ofaninstrument ofadherence withtheDirector-General ofFAO, whoshall
notify allcontracting parties.
3. When amember organization ofFAO becomes acontracting party tothisConvention, the
member organization shall, inaccordance withtheprovisions ofArticle IIparagraph 7oftheFAO
Constitution, asappropriate, notify atthetimeofitsadherence suchmodifications orclarifications
toitsdeclaration ofcompetence submitted under Article IIparagraph 5oftheFAO Constitution as
maybenecessary inlightofitsacceptance ofthisConvention. Anycontracting partytothisConvention
may,atanytime, request amember organization ofFAOthatisacontracting party tothisConvention
toprovide information astowhich, asbetween themember organization anditsmember states, is
responsible fortheimplementation ofanyparticular matter covered bythisConvention. Themember
organization shallprovide thisinformation within areasonable time.
ARTICLE XVIII
Non-contracting parties
Thecontracting parties shallencourage anystateormember organization ofFAO, notaparty tothis
Convention, toaccept thisConvention, andshall encourage anynon-contracting party toapply
phytosanitary measures consistent withtheprovisions ofthisConvention andanyinternational standards
adopted hereunder.G/SPS/GEN/51
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ARTICLE XIX
Languages
1. Theauthentic languages ofthisConvention shallbeallofficial languages ofFAO.
2. Nothing inthisConvention shallbeconstrued asrequiring contracting parties toprovide and
topublish documents ortoprovide copies ofthemother thaninthelanguage(s) ofthecontracting party,
except asstated inparagraph 3below.
3. Thefollowing documents shallbeinatleastoneoftheofficial languages ofFAO:
(a) information provided according toArticle IVparagraph 4;
(b) cover notes giving bibliographical dataondocuments transmitted according to
Article VIIparagraph 2(b);
(c) information provided according toArticle VIIparagraph 2(b), (d),(i)and(j);
(d) notes giving bibliographical dataandashort summary ofrelevant documents on
information provided according toArticle VIIIparagraph 1(a);
(e) requests forinformation from contact points aswellasreplies tosuchrequests, but
notincluding anyattached documents;
(f) anydocument made available bycontracting parties formeetings oftheCommission.
ARTICLE XX
Technical assistance
Thecontracting parties agree topromote theprovision oftechnical assistance tocontracting parties,
especially those thataredeveloping contracting parties, either bilaterally orthrough theappropriate
international organizations, withtheobjective offacilitating theimplementation ofthisConvention.
ARTICLE XXI
Amendment
1. AnyproposalbyacontractingpartyfortheamendmentofthisConventionshallbecommunicated
totheDirector-General ofFAO.
2. Anyproposed amendment ofthisConvention received bytheDirector-General ofFAO from
acontracting party shallbepresented toaregular orspecial session oftheCommission forapproval
and,iftheamendment involves important technical changes orimposes additional obligations onthe
contracting parties, itshallbeconsidered byanadvisory committee ofspecialists convened byFAO
prior totheCommission.G/SPS/GEN/51
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3. Notice ofanyproposed amendment ofthisConvention, other thanamendments totheAnnex,
shallbetransmitted tothecontracting parties bytheDirector-General ofFAO notlaterthanthetime
when theagenda ofthesession oftheCommission atwhich thematter istobeconsidered isdispatched.
4. Anysuchproposed amendment ofthisConvention shallrequire theapproval oftheCommission
andshallcome intoforce asfrom thethirtieth dayafteracceptance bytwo-thirds ofthecontracting
parties. Forthepurpose ofthisArticle, aninstrument deposited byamember organization ofFAO
shallnotbecounted asadditional tothose deposited bymember states ofsuchanorganization.
5. Amendments involving newobligations forcontracting parties, however, shallcome intoforce
inrespect ofeachcontracting party onlyonacceptance byitandasfrom thethirtieth dayaftersuch
acceptance. Theinstruments ofacceptance ofamendments involving newobligations shallbedeposited
withtheDirector-General ofFAO, whoshallinform allcontracting parties ofthereceipt ofacceptance
andtheentry intoforce ofamendments.
6. Proposals foramendments tothemodel phytosanitary certificates setoutintheAnnex tothis
Convention shallbesenttotheSecretary andshallbeconsidered forapproval bytheCommission.
Approved amendments tothemodel phytosanitary certificates setoutintheAnnex tothisConvention
shallbecome effective ninety daysaftertheirnotification tothecontracting parties bytheSecretary.
7. Foraperiod ofnotmore thantwelve months fromanamendment tothemodel phytosanitary
certificates setoutintheAnnex tothisConvention becoming effective, theprevious version ofthe
phytosanitary certificates shallalsobelegally valid forthepurpose ofthisConvention.
ARTICLE XXII
Entry intoforce
AssoonasthisConvention hasbeenratified bythree signatory states itshallcome intoforce among
them. Itshallcome intoforce foreachstateormember organization ofFAO ratifying oradhering
thereafter from thedateofdeposit ofitsinstrument ofratification oradherence.
ARTICLE XXIII
Denunciation
1. Anycontracting party mayatanytimegivenotice ofdenunciation ofthisConvention by
notification addressed totheDirector-General ofFAO. TheDirector-General shallatonceinform all
contracting parties.
2. DenunciationshalltakeeffectoneyearfromthedateofreceiptofthenotificationbytheDirector-
General ofFAO.G/SPS/GEN/51
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ANNEX
Model Phytosanitary Certificate
No._________
Plant Protection Organization of_______________________________________________________
TO:Plant Protection Organization(s) of________________________________________________
I.Description ofConsignment
Name andaddress ofexporter: ________________________________________________________
Declared name andaddress ofconsignee: _______________________________________________
Number anddescription ofpackages: __________________________________________________
Distinguishing marks: _______________________________________________________________
Place oforigin: ____________________________________________________________________
Declared means ofconveyance: _______________________________________________________
Declared point ofentry: _____________________________________________________________
Name ofproduce andquantity declared: ________________________________________________
Botanical name ofplants: ____________________________________________________________
Thisistocertify thattheplants, plant products orother regulated articles described herein havebeen
inspected and/or tested according toappropriate official procedures andareconsidered tobefreefrom
thequarantine pests specified bytheimporting contracting party andtoconform withthecurrent
phytosanitary requirements oftheimporting contracting party, including those forregulated non-
quarantine pests.
They aredeemed tobepractically freefrom other pests.*
II.Additional Declaration
III.Disinfestation and/or Disinfection Treatment
Date________ Treatment ___________ Chemical (active ingredient) ________________________
Duration andtemperature ____________________________________________________________
Concentration ______________________________________________________________________
Additional information ______________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
Place ofissue ___________________________________________
(Stamp ofOrganization) Name ofauthorized officer _______________________________
Date____________ ___________________________________
(Signature)
Nofinancial liability withrespect tothiscertificate shall attach to____________ (name ofPlant
Protection Organization) ortoanyofitsofficers orrepresentatives.*
*Optional clauseG/SPS/GEN/51
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Model Phytosanitary Certificate forRe-Export
No._________
Plant Protection Organization
of____________________________________________________ (contracting party ofre-export)
TO:Plant Protection Organization(s)
of___________________________________________________ (contracting party(ies) ofimport)
I.Description ofConsignment
Name andaddress ofexporter: _____________________________________________________
Declared name andaddress ofconsignee: _____________________________________________
Number anddescription ofpackages: _________________________________________________
Distinguishing marks: ______________________________________________________________
Place oforigin: ____________________________________________________________________
Declared means ofconveyance: ______________________________________________________
Declared point ofentry: _____________________________________________________________
Name ofproduce andquantity declared: _______________________________________________
Botanical name ofplants: ____________________________________________________________
Thisistocertifythattheplants,plantproductsorotherregulatedarticlesdescribedabove_____________
wereimported into(contracting party ofre-export) ___________ from______________ (contracting
party oforigin) covered byPhytosanitary Certificate No.________, *original certified truecopy
ofwhich isattached tothiscertificate; thattheyarepacked repacked inoriginal *new
containers, thatbased ontheoriginal phytosanitary certificate andadditional inspection ,theyare
considered toconform withthecurrent phytosanitary requirements oftheimporting contracting party,
andthatduring storage in_______________ (contracting party ofre-export), theconsignment has
notbeensubjected totheriskofinfestation orinfection.
*Insert tickinappropriate boxes
II.Additional Declaration
III.Disinfestation and/or Disinfection Treatment
Date________ Treatment __________ Chemical (active ingredient) _________________________
Duration andtemperature ___________________________________________________________
Concentration ____________________________________________________________________
Additional information _____________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
Place ofissue __________________________________________
(Stamp ofOrganization) Name ofauthorized officer _______________________________
Date____________ _____________________________________
(Signature)
Nofinancial liability withrespect tothiscertificate shallattach to___________ (name ofPlantProtection
Organization) ortoanyofitsofficers orrepresentatives.**
**Optional clauseG/SPS/GEN/51
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ANNEX 2
RESOLUTION 12/97 ADOPTED BYTHE FAO CONFERENCE
ATITS29TH SESSION
Amendments totheInternational Plant Protection Convention
THE CONFERENCE,
Recalling itsapproval oftheInternational Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) under Article XIVof
theFAOConstitution atitsSixth Session in1951, which Convention came intoforce on3April 1952,
Recalling itsadoption ofamendments totheConvention atitsTwentieth Session inNovember 1979
byResolution 14/79, which amendments came intoforce on4April 1991,
Being convinced ofthecontinued needtoprotect plantlifeorhealth fromthespread andintroduction
ofpests,
NotingtheagreementsreachedasaresultoftheUruguayRoundofTradeNegotiationsandthereferences
intheAgreement ontheApplication ofSanitary andPhytosanitary Measures totheInternational Plant
Protection Convention andinternational standards, guidelines andrecommendations developed for
connection therewith,
Taking intoaccount theneedforthedevelopment ofinternational phytosanitary standards toprotect
plant health without creating unnecessary impediments totheinternational transportation ofplants,
plant products andother articles deemed torequire phytosanitary measures,
Recalling theagreement reached atitsTwenty-fifth Session inNovember 1989 onthenecessity of
establishing aSecretariat within FAO fortheInternational Plant Protection Convention,
Recalling thatatitsTwenty-seventh Session inNovember 1993, asaninterim measure, itagreed to
authorize theDirector-General toestablish theCommittee onPhytosanitary Measures under Article VI.2
oftheConstitution, andtoestablish theprocedure thatcould befollowed forthesetting ofharmonized
international standards andguidelines,
HavingconsideredtheworkoftheExpertConsultationontheRevisionoftheIPPCheldinMarch1996,
theTechnical Consultation ontheRevision oftheIPPC heldinJanuary 1997, theFourteenth Session
oftheCommittee onAgriculture inApril 1997 andtheHundred andTwelfth Session oftheCouncil
inJune1997,
Taking noteoftherecommendations contained inthereport oftheAfrican Expert Consultation on
theIPPC heldinJune1997,
Having examined thetextofthedraftamendments totheIPPC endorsed bytheCouncil atitsHundred
andTwelfth Session inJune1997,
Having considered theobservations contained intheReport oftheSixty-seventh Session ofthe
Committee onConstitutional andLegal Matters heldinOctober 1997 andtheReport oftheHundred
andThirteenth Session ofCouncil,G/SPS/GEN/51
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Stressing thatitisintheinterest oftheinternational community thattheproposed amendments should
enter intoforce without delay,
Noting that,inaccordance withArticle XIII.4 oftheConvention, theamendments willenterintoforce
asfrom thethirtieth dayafteracceptance bytwothirds ofthecontracting parties:
1. Approves theamendments totheInternational PlantProtection Convention setoutintherevised
textcontained inAppendix G[oftheReport oftheFAO Conference of1997];
2. Takes noteoftheagreed interpretation contained inAppendix I[oftheReport oftheFAO
Conference of1997];
3. Requests theDirector-General totransmit therevised textincorporating theamendments to
theContractingPartiesfortheirconsiderationwithaviewtotheiracceptanceoftheamendments;
4. Urges thecontracting parties toaccept theamendments asearly aspossible;
5. Urges FAO Members andNon-Member States thathavenotyetdone sotoadhere tothe
Convention asearly aspossible;
6. Notes thespecific needofdeveloping countries, inparticular theleastdeveloped countries,
fortechnical assistance inorder toenhance theircapacity tofulfill theirobligations under the
Convention andtofacilitate itsimplementation;
7. Urges thathighpriority begiven totheprovision ofreports ontheoccurrence, outbreak and
spread ofpests totheSecretary oftheIPPC and,underlines theimportance ofestablishing
relevant procedures applicable tothisreporting;
8. Agrees totheestablishment ofanInterim Commission onPhytosanitary Measures under
Article VI.1oftheFAO Constitution withtheTerms ofReference contained inAppendix H
[oftheReport oftheFAO Conference of1997];
9. Agrees thatthepresent Secretariat totheIPPC shallcontinue untiltheamendments come into
force anduntilthenshallprovide secretariat services totheInterim Commission;
10. Agrees thatthepresent standard-setting procedure shallcontinue untiltheamendments come
intoforce,oruntiltheinterimCommissiondecidesotherwise,exceptthatphytosanitarystandards
willbeconsidered andadopted bytheInterim Commission instead ofbytheCommittee on
Agriculture, Council and/or theConference;
11. Agrees thattheSecretariat totheIPPC commence work oninternational standards for
non-quarantine regulated pests;
12. Allows theuseoftheamended phytosanitary certificate asanalternative andonvoluntary basis
among parties thataccept it;and
13. Requests parties tonominate anofficial contact point, andtocommunicate itsnomination to
theSecretariat.
(Adopted on17November 1997)