WORLD TRADE  
ORGANIZATION   
G/SPS/GEN/1202 
17 October 2012 
 (12-5636) 
Committee on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures Original:   English 
  
 
REPORT OF THE INTERNATIONAL PLANT PROTECTION  
CONVENTION SECRETARIAT (IPPC) 
 
Committee on Sanitary and Phytosanita ry Measures – 18-19 October 2012 
Agenda Item 2(b) - Information fro m Relevant SPS Standard-Setting Bodies 
 
  The following communication, received on 15 Octo ber 2012, is being circulated at the request 
of the IPPC secretariat. 
 
_______________ 
 
 
I. INTRODUCTION 
1. This report covers the period July – October 2012.  
2. The activities of Capacity Development and Implementation Review and Support System 
(IRSS) are presented in separate documents. 
3. The Committee is invited to note that as of Se ptember 2012, there are 177 contracting parties 
to the IPPC (the same as reported in July 2012). 
II. STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK AND ISSUE-SPECIFIC STRATEGIES 
A. STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK  
4. The IPPC Strategic Framework 2012-2019, as prev iously reported, was adopted during the 
Seventh Session of the Commission on Phyt osanitary Measures (CPM-7) in March 2012 
("https://www.ippc.int/index. php?id=1110798&frompage=13330&t x_publication_pi1[showUid]=218
3947&type=publication&L=0 ").  The four major strategic objectives, listed below, underscore the 
broad range of issues covered by the IPPC’s ac tivities and take into account the changing global 
context.  The four strategic objectives are: 
(i) protect sustainable agriculture and enhance global food security through the 
prevention of pest spread; 
(ii) protect the environment, forests and biodiversity from plant pests; 
(iii) facilitate economic and trade developmen t through the promotion of harmonized 
scientifically based phytosanitary measures;  and, 
(iv) develop phytosanitary capacity for members to accomplish (i), (ii) and (iii). 
5. The IPPC is using these strategic objectives as a key part of its effort to increase awareness 
and the profile of the IPPC. G/SPS/GEN/1202 
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  B. I
SSUE SPECIFIC STRATEGIES  
6. The IPPC National Capacity Development St rategy was adopted during CPM-5 (2010), and 
the IPPC Resource Mobilization Strategy was adopt ed during CPM-7 (2012).  CPM has identified the 
Communication Strategy as a high priority for 2012 as it is essential to complement the IPPC 
Resource Mobilization Strategy, as well as to increase awareness and the profile of the IPPC.  The draft Communication Strategy will be presented to CPM-8 in April 2013 for adoption.   
III. STANDARD SETTING WORK PROGRAMME 
A. M
EMBER CONSULTATION ON DRAFT ISPM S 
7. The commenting period on draft ISPMs will close 20 October 2012. 
B. MEMBER CONSULTATION ON DRAFT SPECIFICATIONS FOR ISPM S 
8. The commenting period on draft specifications cl osed on 31 July 2012.  Comments have been 
compiled by the Secretariat and are posted on the IPP ( https://www.ippc.in t/index.php?id=1110732  ).  
These comments have been forwarded to the stewards.  For the draft specification on International 
movement of cut flowers and branches  (2008-005), the steward will revise the draft specification for 
presentation to the Standards Committee. For the draft specification on the International movement of 
grain (2008-007) , the CPM-7 (2012) had a discussion on how to move this topic forward, in the 
format of an ISPM or other guidance material. CPM-7 (2012) requested th at the member comments 
be analysed by the Standards Committee (SC), who will then prepare a draft CPM recommendation 
which will be presented to the CPM-8.  
C. SUBSTANTIAL CONCERNS COMMENTING PERIOD  FOR DRAFT ISPM S: 
9. According to the new IPPC standard setting procedure adopted by the CPM-7 (2012), the 
Standards Committee Working Group (SC-7) or  the Technical Panels (TPs) revises the draft ISPMs 
prior to the CPM meeting, taking into account th e comments received during member consultation.  
Once the SC-7 or TP recommends the draft ISPM to th e SC, the Secretariat makes it available to IPPC 
members for the substantial concerns comme nting period and notifies IPPC members. 
10. Thus, taking into account the comments that were received during the 2011 member 
consultation, the following draft ISPMs were re viewed by the Standards Committee Working Group 
(SC-7) in April 2012 and recommended to  the SC (see April 2012 SC-7 report: 
https://www.ippc.in t/index.php?i d=13355 ): 
 DRAFT ANNEX ON PEST RISK ANALYSIS FOR PLANTS AS QUARANTINE PESTS  (2005-
001) TO ISPM 11:2004 ( PEST RISK ANALYSIS FOR QUARANTINE PESTS, INCLUDING 
ANALYSIS OF ENVIRONMENTAL RISKS AND LIVING MODIFIED ORGANISMS)  
 REVISED ANNEX 1 ON APPROVED TREATMENTS ASSOCIATED WITH WOOD 
PACKAGING MATERIAL  (2006-011) TO ISPM 15:2009 ( REGULATION OF WOOD 
PACKAGING MATERIAL IN INTERNATIONAL TRADE)  
11. This comment period closed on 30 September 2012.   All substantial concerns were submitted 
by the IPPC contact point in the IPPC OCS.  Th ese concerns have been compiled and are posted on 
the IPP ( https://www.ippc.int/index.php?id=1111116 ).  They have now been forwarded to the 
Standards Committee and steward who will study these comments and revise the draft ISPMs at their 
meeting 12-16 November 2012.  As agreed to in  the revised IPPC standard setting process, the 
November Standards Committee meeting will replace the CPM evening sessions to review comments.   G/SPS/GEN/1202 
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  The Standards Committee versions of these draft sta ndards will be for the first time in history, 
presented to CPM-8 (2013) for adoption without discussion.  
D. EXPERT WORKING GROUP (EWG)  ON SEA CONTAINERS  
12. A EWG meeting on Sea Containers was held in  Malaysia from 28 May to 1 June 2012.  The 
EWG developed a draft ISPM on Minimizing pest movement by sea containers and conveyances in 
international trade and provided input to the development of  a technical guidance to be used by 
industry.  Further work continues on the development of a communication plan and an 
implementation plan. 
E. WORK PLAN FOR THE SECOND SEMESTER OF 2012 
13. The work plan for standard setting for the last  semester of 2012 includes, in addition to the 
November meeting of the Standards Committee, meetings of the Technical Panel on Diagnostic 
Protocols, Technical Panel on the Glossary and Te chnical Panel on Phytosanitary Treatments.  In 
addition, the IPPC secretariat continues to use web based technology to hold virtual meetings. 
IV. INFORMATION EXCHANGE 
A. CONTACT POINTS  
14. A significant number of IPPC contact points con tinued to update their information in the last 
three months.  This means that contracting par ties communicating with other IPPC contact points 
should visit the IPP frequently to ensure they have the latest contact information.  In addition, the 
Secretariat continues to work with a small number  of countries that need to nominate their IPPC 
contact points officially. 
B. INTERNATIONAL PHYTOSANITARY PORTAL (IPP)  HTTPS ://WWW .IPPC.INT 
15. There continues to be a lot of information be ing made available by countries through the IPP 
and the IPPC secretariat.  Countries are encourag ed to periodically visit the site for updates. 
16. Usage of the IPP continues to increase but it is apparent that this can be improved in most 
regions and in some countries in particular.  C ountries that are reporting certain IPPC obligatory 
information to the WTO are encouraged to provide  this information (only minimal modification is 
necessary) through the IPP to ensure they  meet their IPPC reporting obligations. 
17. The information available through the IPP has substantially increased the number of 
information resources available to support standa rd implementation, capacity development and the 
Implementation Review and Support System (IRSS).  This information is being increased continually 
and is available through: 
(i) Resources in Support of IPPC Implementation:  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) Projects Database:  http://projects.phytosanitary.info ; 
(v) Roster of Consultants:  http://consultants.phytosanitary.info/ ; 
(vi) eLearning:  http://elearning.phytosanitary.info . 
 G/SPS/GEN/1202 
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  C. P
EST REPORTING  
18. National pest reporting continues to improve  but there is still potential for further 
improvement.  The 2011 reporting year saw a substan tial increase in the number of pest reports and 
2012 has started with a significant number of reports.  The Secretariat is working on this information 
to allow users to access this information in a more constructive and analytical manner. 
19. The IPPC secretariat is working with the European Plant Protection Organization (EPPO) to 
finalize the system that will allow national reporting under through EPPO (as an Regional Plant 
Protection Organization) to meet IPPC reporting oblig ations.  There are certain legal procedures that 
need to be met before this system can be activated .  It is hoped that this will be piloted within the 
foreseeable future and then expanded to other RPPOs and their members. 
V. DISPUTE SETTLEMENT 
20. As noted previously, the phytosanitary trade di spute between South Africa and the European 
Union is continuing and further announcements will be made as information becomes available and 
when appropriate.  Despite resource challenges with in the IPPC secretariat that have impacted this 
process, efforts are underway to address this issue. 
21. The IPPC is in the process of reviewing the I PPC Dispute Settlement system and the outcome 
should be available in 2013 for the eighth session of the CPM. 
VI. COMMUNICATIONS 
22. The IPPC Strategic Planning Group (SPG) di scussed the IPPC Communication Strategy and 
the strategy will now be submitted for possible adopti on to CPM-8 in 2013.  In addition, through the 
generous support of the United States, an implemen tation plan will be developed for the plan after 
adoption at CPM-8 (2013). 
23. The 60th Anniversary of the IPPC is celebrated through:  https://www.ippc.int/60years  and a 
video on the IPPC is available at:  " https://www.ippc.int/60years/2012/05/video-the-international-
plant-protection-convention-at-60/ ". 
24. Increasing amounts of electronic material is available for use and download at:  
https://www.ippc.int/60years/media . 
25. The following social media pag es 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/interna tional_plant_protection_convention/ ; 
(v) YouTube:  http://www.youtube.com/IPPCnews . 
VII. RESOURCE MOBILIZATION 
26. The Secretariat would like to thank all those contracting parties and other donors who 
contributed to the 2012 budget and activities of the IPPC so far.  The IPPC encourages them to 
consider sustainable contributions for the future.  It  will be greatly appreciated if donors are able to  G/SPS/GEN/1202 
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  express their intention for further contributions in order to facilitate planning for the coming year.  
These donations will help to ensure the core work  programme will be delivered.  A full list of 
financial and in-kind support is made available to CPM each year – 
"https://www.ippc.int/index.ph p?id=1110798&frompage= 13330&tx_publication _pi1[showUid]=2183
770&type=publication&L=0 ". 
27. The sustainability of the IPPC secretariat, a nd hence the work programme of the IPPC, is 
being addressed as a matter of urgency on an ongoing basis.  The current resource allocation 
(financial and human resources) is simply not sustai nable, although slightly improved for 2012.  The 
Secretary is giving this his highest priority a nd has initiated discussions with the governing body as 
well as traditional and non-traditional partners to improve the situati on in the foreseeable future.  
28. Under the IPPC Resource Mobilization Stra tegy adopted in CPM-7 (2012), the IPPC 
Financial Committee was cr eated to enhance the accountability of  financial issues to CPM and the 
donors who may consider a contribution to the IPPC activities.  Together with such newly introduced 
arrangements, specific resource mobilization efforts will be made based on operational work plans to 
be developed. 
29. It should be noted that FAO, the organization hosting the IPPC secretariat, continuously faces 
a severe financial challenge and is seeking cost reduction efforts in most areas; the resources available 
for the IPPC activities will likely be affected as well. 
30. As the year 2012 is the 60th Anniversary of the IPPC, the IPPC secretariat has been 
organizing celebration activities but within the very  limited resources currently available.  These 
activities are linked with awareness raising effo rts to increase resources available from donors. 
31. The Secretariat welcomes any discussions with me mbers or partner organizations that could 
provide solutions to the current challenges, particularly in the medium to long term.  
VIII.  IMPORTANT MILESTONE FOR ELECTRONIC CERTIFICATION IN THE IPPC 
(EPHYTO) 
32. The issue of ePhyto is a high priority for CPM and the revised Appendix 1 ( Electronic 
certification, information on standar d XML schemes and exchange mechanisms  (2006-003)) to 
ISPM 12:2011 is out for member consultation ( see above, section III.C.).  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. 
33. In September 2012, the ePhyto Expert Working Group (EWG) met in EPPO in Paris to 
finalize a number of technical issues related the ePhyto XML structure, communications process and 
security.  The details have now been agreed and will now enter a phase of field testing to ensure that 
all challenges are addressed before  ISPM 12:2011 Appendix 1 is c onsidered for adoption by CPM in 
2014. 
34. The potential development of a common global system for electronic certification (central 
"hub") was highlighted during the April 2012 SC and June 2012 Bureau meetings.  A feasibility study 
will be conducted in the immediat e future.  The IPPC believes this  represents a good opportunity for 
future collaboration with OIE and Codex. 
35. General information on ePhyto can be  found on the IPPC website at:  
http://www.ippc.int/in dex.php?i d=1111140  or obtained from the IPPC secretariat (ippc@fao.org). G/SPS/GEN/1202 
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  36. With generous support from Brazil, ther e will be an ePhyto workshop from 20-
22 November 2012 in Victoria City, Brazil, to in crease awareness about ePhyto and allow countries to 
understand and plan for the introduction of phytosan itary electronic certification given their national 
capacity and trading needs.  WTO Members are encouraged  to participate.  An internet feed of at least 
the first day of proceedings has been arranged for those not able to attend the meeting.  Further 
information is available on the IPP at:  
https://www.ippc.int/index. php?id=1111139& no_cache=1&L=0.  
IX. COOPERATION WITH THE WTO STANDARD SETTING ORGANIZATIONS 
37. As there are on-going discussions regarding increased involvement of the "Three Sisters" in 
SPS-related activities, Members are reminded of CPM-7 (2012) decisions (particularly (ii) and (v) ) 
after considering the "Recommendations on Join t Work by WTO-SPS Agreement Standards-Setting 
Bodies" as agreed in the WTO SPS Committee meeting in October 2011: 
(i) welcomed the recommendations of the WTO SPS Committee; 
(ii) considered these recommendations by th e SPS Committee in the context of the 
overall work programme, priorities and available resources; 
(iii) agreed these activities are already on-going  in the work programme as agreed by 
ICPM-7 (2005); 
(iv) requested the IPPC secretariat to provide updates on its activities with Codex and OIE 
in the IPPC secretariat report to the SPS Committee and actively to exchange information with Codex and OIE on ma tters of mutual interests;  and 
(v) noted that any additional work arising from these activities that are added to the CPM 
work programme will need to be accompan ied by associated additional resources. 
38. The IPPC secretariat has requested discussi ons with the SPS Secretariat to improve 
coordination and cooperation between the two Secretar iats while ensuring a closer and more systemic 
work programme.  This is also related to the ongoing IPPC activity of formalizing relevant 
partnerships while ensuring that deliverab les stay within the available resources. 
39. The IPPC secretariat would like to note on-going formal activities with the "Three Sisters" 
since the initial decision of ICPM-7 in 2005, and draw attention to the following current on-going 
activities with Codex and OIE:  G/SPS/GEN/1202 
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  (i) Codex and the IPPC are exploring ways of addressing their IT needs in a more 
sustainable manner and share tools & skills when appropriate; 
(ii) Codex continues to work with the IPPC secretariat to develop the OCS for Codex 
purposes, taking into account Codex needs in gathering member country comments. 
OIE is also examining the OCS more closely and may also consider using this system in the future. 
(iii) Codex, OIE and the IPPC now undertake in -depth consultations on Standard Trade 
and Development Facility (STDF) activities to understand each other's positions and 
coordinate activities and responses; 
(iv) There is on-going cooperation between the "Three Sisters" on SPS-related capacity 
development projects, if and when appropriate; 
(v) The IPPC secretariat has initiated coordina tion meetings between the "Three Sisters" 
to improve coordination and collabora tion in SPS Committee meetings;  and 
(vi) Ad-hoc consultations are undertaken as and when subjects arise that are of mutual 
interest. 
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