. /.  WORLD TRADE  
ORGANIZATION   
G/SPS/GEN/1188/Rev.1 
17 October 2012 
 (12-5632) 
Committee on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures Original:   English 
  
 
NEED FOR TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND GLOBAL COOPERATION 
 
Communication from Pakistan 
 
Revision 
  
 The following communication, received on 15 Octo ber 2012, is being circulated at the request 
of the Delegation of Pakistan. 
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1. Stem Rust is an old disease which has the potential to re-appear any time after long dormancy 
and destroy large fields of wheat in a short span of time.  After dormancy of fifty years, the disease is 
in progression during the last few years and is a potential threat for wheat growing countries.  Being a virulent disease, the causal organism (a fungus) keeps itself mutating hence resulting in a sudden resistance breakdown of the commercial cultivars ag ainst the new mutant race.  Eight different 
strains
1 of the fungus causing the disease (Ug-99)2 have been identified un til now.  This necessitates 
sustained surveillance and monitoring of the disease acr oss the affected areas for timely identification 
of the new mutant form and to e ffectively develop its management strategy, including developing new 
resistant germplasm/varieties.  Thus identification of new sources of resistance is a continuous practice.  Ug-99 could reduce global wheat producti on by 60 million tons (FAO, Rome) and this may 
further inflate the prices of other foods.  
2. The current challenge of highly virulent pa thogens of Ug-99 in wheat growing areas of 
Africa, West Asia, Middle East, East Asia, South As ia and Central Asia has generated huge levels of 
global cooperation among these countries to put in place an effective coordinated national 
surveillance and research system, for which there is a need to allocate adequate resources for 
concerned nations.  While ICARDA, CIMMYT, FAO, Borlaug Global Rust initiative (BGRI) 
Programme and several other organizations are i nvolved in Ug-99 surveillance, developing Ug-99 
resistant varieties, and its multiplication and distribu tion of seed to poor farmers, the role of IPPC in 
global surveillance has been minimal due to limited resources.  
3. Keeping in view the serious implications of th is pathogen on food security and future food 
prices, the resource allocation by the donor countri es and technical assistance for its surveillance and 
allied research activities is of prime import ance and need to be addressed effectively. 
4. As a precautionary measure Pakistan has screened its wheat germplasm against the disease 
and have released resistant varieties during the last  couple of years through the breeding programme.  
A fast track seed multiplication plan of the resistant varieties has been put in practice to ensure the 
cultivation of disease-free seeds, with the cooperation of BGRI and with the involvement of 
CIMMYT and ICARDA offices in Pakistan. 
                                                      
1 http://rusttracker.cimmyt.org/ . 
2 Puccinia graminis f. sp. tritici.  G/SPS/GEN/1188/Rev.1 
Page 2 
 
 
  5. Though Pakistan is already an active partner to the Borlaug Global Rust Initiative (BGRI)3 
programme, still there is a need to  strengthen the national surveillance and coordination system with 
the aid of international stakeholders.  High level of  coordination with BGRI has granted  protection to 
Pakistan against this threat, and Pakistan reitera tes its commitment to the BGRI programme as this 
will not only address the food security issue for the 180 million people of Pakistan, but will also ensure future food security sustenance in this country. 
6. IPPC has included this pathogen in the strate gic framework as an example of pathogens not 
previously recorded in those areas and that could have a serious impact on food security.  A regular 
update from IPPC on the status of UG-99 would be useful for Members.  
7. One of the main IPPC strategic objectives for 201 2-2019 is to "Protect sustainable agriculture 
and enhance global food security thro ugh the prevention of pest spread".
4  An update on the IPPC 
activities, especially with reference to UG99, woul d be useful for the wheat growing countries. 
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3 http://www.globalrust.org/traction/permalink/about2 . 
 4 CPM2012/08 Rev1.