i 
 NATIONAL STANDARDS FOR PHYTOSANITARY MEASURES  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NSPM: 17 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Pest Reporting  
2013  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(This standard is approved by (the NPPO and) the Quarantine Committee of Nepal, chaired by the 
secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture Development on  1st December 2013 and, is submitted by National 
Plant Quarantine Program to the National Notification Authority to be notified to the WTO member states)   
 ii Table of Contents  
 
 
1. Introduction  ................................ ................................ ................................ ............  1 
1.1 Scope ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ... 1 
1.2 References  ................................ ................................ ................................ .........................  1 
1.3 Definitions  ................................ ................................ ................................ ...........................  1 
1.4 Outline of requirements  ................................ ................................ ................................ .... 2 
2. Requirements  ................................ ................................ ................................ .........  2 
2.1 Provisions of IPPC regarding pest r eporting  ................................ ................................ . 2 
2.2 Purpose of Pest Reporting  ................................ ................................ ...............................  2 
3. National responsibilities of pest reporting system  ................................ ..................  3 
3.1 Regulatory provisions  ................................ ................................ ................................ ....... 3 
3.2 Management authority  ................................ ................................ ................................ ...... 3 
3.3 Surveillance  ................................ ................................ ................................ ........................  3 
3.4 Sources of information  ................................ ................................ ................................ ...... 3 
3.5 Verification and analysis  ................................ ................................ ................................ ... 4 
3.6 Motivation for dom estic reporting  ................................ ................................ ....................  4 
4. Reporting Obligations  ................................ ................................ .............................  4 
4.1 Reporting of immediate or potential danger  ................................ ................................ .. 4 
4.2 Other pest reports  ................................ ................................ ................................ ..............  5 
4.3 Reporting of changed status, absence or correction of earlier reports  .....................  5 
5. Initiation of reports  ................................ ................................ ................................ .. 5 
5.1 Occurrence  ................................ ................................ ................................ .........................  5 
5.2 Outbreak  ................................ ................................ ................................ .............................  5 
5.3 Spread  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ . 5 
5.4 Successful eradication  ................................ ................................ ................................ ...... 5 
5.5 Establishment of pest free area  ................................ ................................ ......................  5 
6. Pest Reporting  ................................ ................................ ................................ ....... 5 
6.1 Content of reports  ................................ ................................ ................................ ..............  5 
6.2 Timing of reporting  ................................ ................................ ................................ ............  6 
6.3 Mechanism of reporting and destination of reports  ................................ ......................  6 
6.4. Good reporting practices  ................................ ................................ ................................ . 6 
6.5 Confidentiality  ................................ ................................ ................................ .....................  7 
6.6 Language  ................................ ................................ ................................ ............................  7 
7. Additional information  ................................ ................................ .............................  7 
8. Review  ................................ ................................ ................................ ...................  7 
9. Documentation  ................................ ................................ ................................ ....... 7 
Annexure 1: Reporting responsibilities of National Plant Protection Organization  .... 8 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 iii Abbreviations (frequently used in the standard ) 
 
ABPSD     – Agriculture Business Promotion and Statistics Division  
APPPC    – Asia Pacific Plant Protection Commission  
ARS  – Agriculture Research Station  
CODEX  – Codex Alimentarius  
CPM      – Commission for Phytosanitary Measures  
DFTQC      – Department of Food Technology and Quality Control  
DADO  – District Agriculture Development Office  
DOA  – Department of Agriculture  
IPPC   – International Plant Protection Convention  
ISPM  – International Standard for Phytosanita ry Measures  
MoAD  – Ministry of Agriculture Development  
NSPM  – National Standard for Phytosanitary Measures  
NPPO   – National Plant Protection Organization  
NPQP  – National Plant Quarantine Programme  
PC – National Plant Quarantine Programme   
PFA    – Pest free are a 
PRA      – Pest Risk Analysis  
PP     – Plant Protection  
PPD – Plant Protection Directorate  
PQC  – Plant Quarantine Check -post 
PQSC  – Plant Quarantine Sub -checkpost  
RARS  – Regional Agriculture Research Station  
RNQP  – Regulated Non Quarantine Pest  
RPPL  – Regional Pl ant Protection Laboratory  
RPQO  – Regional Plant Quarantine Office  
RPPO      – Regional Plant Protection Organization  
RSPM   – Regional Standard for Phytosanitary Measures  
SPS    – Sanitary and Phytosanitary  
WTO   – World trade organization  
 1 
 1. Introduction  
1.1 Scope  
This standard describes the responsibilities of and requirements of National plant protection 
organization (NPPO) in reporting the occurrence, outbreak and spread of pests in areas for 
which they are responsible. It also provides guidance on repor ting successful eradication of 
pests and establishment of pest free areas . NSPM preparation is based on guidelines and 
recommendations developed within the framework of the IPPC. This standard also adopted the 
principles, recommendations and format of ISPM  to achieve international harmonization of 
phytosanitary measures with the aim to facilitate trade.  
 
1.2 References  
IPPC . 1997. International Plant Protection Convention . Rome, IPPC, FAO.  
ISPM 2. 1995. Guidelines for pest risk analysis . Rome, IPPC, FAO. [published 1996]    [revised; 
now ISPM 2: 2007]  
ISPM 4 . 1995. Requirements for the establishment of pest free areas . Rome, IPPC, FAO. 
[published 1996]  
ISPM 5 . Glossary of phytosanitary terms . Rome, IPPC, FAO.  
ISPM 6 . 1997. Guidelines for surveillance . Rome, IPPC, FAO.  
ISPM 8 . 1998. Determination of pest status in an area . Rome, IPPC, FAO.  
ISPM 9 . 1998. Guidelines for pest eradication programmes . Rome, IPPC, FAO.  
ISPM 11 . 2001. Pest risk analysis for quarantine pests . Rome, IPPC, FAO. [revised; now       
ISPM 11:2004]  
ISPM 13 . 2001. Guidelines for the notification of non -compliance and emergency action . Rome, 
IPPC, FAO.  
ISPM  17. 2002. Pest Reporting . Rome, IPPC, FAO.   
Plant Protection Act , 2007, NPQP, PPD, Nepal  
Plant Protection Regulation , 2010. NPQP , PPD, Nepal  
WTO . 1994. Agreement on the Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures . Geneva, 
World Trade Organization.  
 
1.3 Definitions  
Definitions of phytosanitary terms used in the present standard can be found in ISPM 5 
(Glossary of phytosanit ary terms ) and Plant Protection Act and Regulation.   
 2 1.4 Outline of requirements  
The countries has obligations identified under International Plant Protection Convention               
(IPPC, 1997, ARTICLE viii. 1a) that requires countries to cooperate in th e exchange of 
information on pests, particularly the reporting on the occurrence, outbreak and spread of pests 
that may be of  immediate or potential danger  (see Annexure 1) . The IPPC has developed the 
ISPM No 17, “Pest Reporting” with such procedures to b e applied by the National plant 
protection organizations (NPPOs) of the country.  
 
As signatory to the IPPC, Nepal has obligations with the responsibility to collect pest information 
by surveillance and to verify the pest records thus collected. Occurrence,  outbreak or spread of 
pests that are known (on the basis of observation, previous experience, or pest risk analysis 
(PRA)) to be of immediate or potential danger should be reported to other countries, in particular 
to neighboring countries and trading par tners.  
The NPPO of Nepal should establish an appropriate procedure for pest reporting in accordance 
with guidelines established under NSPM : Pest reporting . NPPO should also establish a 
mechanism for sharing information with NPPOs of trading partners to fa cilitate undertaking PRA 
and or/ recognition of pest free areas through bilateral agreements.  
2. Requirements  
2.1 Provisions of IPPC regarding pest reporting  
The provisions of IPPC includes  
• In order to “securing common and effective action to prevent t he spread and introduction 
of pests of plants and plant products,” (Article I.1) requires countries to make provision 
for an official national plant protection organization (Article IV.1) whose responsibilities 
includes:  
the surveillance of growing plants , including both areas under cultivation ( inter alia fields, 
plantations, nurseries, gardens, greenhouses and laboratories) and wild flora, and of 
plants and plant products in storage or in transportation, particularly with the object of 
reporting the occu rrence, outbreak and spread of pests, and of controlling those pests, 
including the reporting referred to under Article VIII paragraph 1(a); … [Article IV.2(b)].  
• Distribution of information within their territories regarding regulated pests (Article 
IV.3(a)),  
• Information shall be made available to contracting parties, on request.” (Article VII.2(j)  
• Designation a contact point for the exchange of information (Article VIII.2).  
• Cooperate in the exchange of information on plant pests, particularly th e reporting of the 
occurrence, outbreak or spread of pests that may be of immediate or potential danger 
(Article VIII.1(a)).  
2.2 Purpose of Pest Reporting  
The main purpose of pest reporting is to communicate immediate or potential danger normally 
arising  from the occurrence, outbreak or spread of a pest that is a quarantine pest in the country 
in which it is detected, or a quarantine pest for neighboring countries and trading partners.   
 3 Pest reporting allows countries to adjust as necessary their phytosan itary requirements and 
actions to take into account any changes in risk. It provides useful current and historical 
information for operation of phytosanitary systems. Accurate information on pest status 
facilitates technical justification of measures and h elps to minimize unjustified interference with 
trade. Every country needs pest reports for these purposes, and can only obtain them by the 
cooperation of other countries. Phytosanitary actions taken by importing countries based on 
pest reports should be co mmensurate with the risk and technically justified.  
3. National responsibilities of pest reporting system  
3.1 Regulatory provisions  
As the provisions made in Plant Protection Act, 2007 (Article 2 (6)), Nepal has officially 
authorized the Plant Protection Directorate to have the overall responsibility of NPPO as 
referred by IPPC.  Plant Protection Act (Article  5,(18))  mentions on notifying information in the 
prevalence and spread of pests that may cause immediate or potential danger. The Notification 
Autho rity lies in Ministry of Agriculture Development that notifies pest of immediate or potential 
danger to WTO member countries. For the exchange of information, a official contact point has 
been designated at Department of Food Technology and Quality Control . 
3.2 Management authority  
NPPO shall be overall responsible for management of pest reporting system including the    
National Phytosanitary database of pest status information, pest emergency action taken, 
documentation along with survey plan for pest inc ursion, establishment and outbreak. NPPO 
should designate a senior level technical officer for pest reporting and for this make sure th at 
trained and skillful personnel and resources are available along with general facilities and 
resources  
3.3 Surveillan ce  
NPPO of Nepal has to establish a national systems for surveillance, as required by the Article 
IV.2(b) of the IPPC. Systems should be put in place to ensure that such information is sent to 
and collected by the NPPO. NPPO should also establish a mechan ism for sharing information 
with NPPOs of trading partners to facilitate undertaking PRA and or/ recognition of pest free 
areas through bilateral agreements (see Annexure 2 for information flow chart).  
 
Information for pest reporting should be derived from  either of the two types of pest surveillance 
systems general surveillance or specific surveys as defined in ISPM 6:1997,. The surveillance 
and collection systems should operate on an ongoing and timely basis. The process of general 
surveillance involves t he review of information from various sources.  
3.4 Sources of information  
The sources of information may obtain from:  
 Reports of NPPOs, other national and local government agencies,  
 Reports of research institutions/universities, scientific societies (in cluding amateur 
specialists), producers, consultants, museums, the general public,  
 Scientific and trade journals, unpublished data and contemporary observations;.  
 External Reports ( FAO/RPPOs/ CABI Abstracts);   
 4  Crop Protection Compendium ,CABI, UK/Other In ternational Pest Databases  
3.5 Verification and analysis  
NPPO has to identify and collect the pest information from the above sources of information. 
NPPO should develop a suitable format for collection of the pest data from identified sources of 
informat ion. NPPO should put in place systems for verification of domestic pest reports from 
official and other sources. An appropriate pest database in electronic format should be 
developed, which is user friendly and internet enabled for easy transportation of i nformation and 
quick retrieval of information for different category of users and generate various kind of reports 
and or/combination reports. These may include:  
 Pest-wise reports  
 host plant species/commodity -wise reports  
 location (state/province/district )-wise reports.  
 pest distribution maps  
 grid maps  
 special reports  
NPPO should also put in place systems of PRA to determine whether new or unexpected pest 
situations constitute an immediate or potential danger to their country (i.e. the reporting 
country),  requiring phytosanitary action.  
3.6 Motivation for domestic reporting  
The Plant Protection Act, 2007 mentions domestic reporting by any person in case of 
prevalence and spread of quarantine pest s Article 5 (18). Where possible, NPPO should provide 
incenti ves for domestic reporting. Growers and others may be required officially to report on 
new or unexpected pest situations and may be encouraged in this, for example, by publicity, 
community action, rewards or penalties.  
4. Reporting Obligations  
4.1 Report ing of immediate or potential danger  
The occurrence, outbreak and spread of pests which is of immediate or potential danger to 
Nepal may be of immediate or potential danger to other countries too. So it is an obligation of 
NPPO to report it to other count ries. Pest reports must be prepared and reported in the following 
three situations:  
 Occurrence (i.e., when the presence of a new quarantine pest within the country is 
detected).  
 Outbreak (a recently detected quarantine pest population, where the pest is 
expected to survive for the immediate future, even if the pest is not expected to 
establish).  
 Spread (a regulated quarantine pest which results in a significant increase in risk).   
 5 4.2 Other pest reports  
NPPO may also use the same reporting systems on other pests to other countries, if this 
contributes usefully to the exchange of information on plant pests foreseen under Article VIII of 
the IPPC. Pest reporting may also be done entering bilateral or multilateral agreements e.g. 
through APPPC/RPPOs.  
4.3 Repor ting of changed status, absence or correction of earlier reports  
Pest report has to be done by NPPO in cases where immediate or potential danger has 
changed or pest is absent and that the report was incorrect or circumstances change so that the 
risk chang es or disappears. Pest report also includes all or part of the territory categorized pest 
free area, according to ISPM, or successful eradication according to ISPM 9, or changes in host 
range or in the pest status of a pest according to ISPM 8.  
5. Initiat ion of reports  
 
Pest reports are initiated by the occurrence, outbreak, spread or successful eradication of pests, 
or any other new or unexpected pest situation.  
5.1 Occurrence  
Presence of a pest newly determined, known to be a regulated pest by neighbo ring countries or 
trading partners (for relevant pathways).  
5.2 Outbreak  
Recently detected pest population, when its presence corresponds at least to the status of 
Transient: actionable in ISPM No. 8  and even when the pest may survive in the immediate 
future, but is not expected to establish  
5.3 Spread  
Established pest  that expands its geographical distribution, significant increase in risk to the 
reporting country, neighboring countries or trading partners, particularly if it is known that the 
pest is regulated.  
5.4 Successful eradication  
Established or transient pest is eliminated from an area an d the absence of that pest is verified. 
(see ISPM No. 9 : 1998 )  
5.5 Establishment of pest free area  
Change in the pest status in that area  (ISPM 4 : 1995 ) 
 
6. Pest Reporting  
6.1 Content of reports  
A pest report should clearly indicate:  
– identity of the pest with scientific name (to the species level, and below species level, if known 
and relevant)  
– date of the report   
 6 – host(s) or articles concerned (as appropriate)  
– status of the pest under ISPM No. 8  
– geographical distribution of the pest (including a map, if appropriate)  
– nature of the immediate or potential danger, or other reason for reporting  
6.2 Timing of reporting  
Reports on occurrence, out break and spread should be provided without undue delay. This is 
especially important when the risk of immediate spread is high. Reports have to be updated, as 
new and more complete information becomes available.   
6.3 Mechanism of reporting and destinatio n of reports  
NPPO should use at least one of the following three systems:  
 
1. Direct communication to official contact points using electronic means (mail, facsimile or e -
mail)  
2. Publication on an openly available, official national website (such a webs ite may be 
designated as part of an official contact point)  
3. The International Phytosanitary Portal (IPP). The International Phytosanitary Portal  (IPP) is 
the official website of the IPPC ( http://www.i ppc.int/IPP/En/default.htm ) 
6.4. Good reporting practices  
NPPO should follow the "good reporting practices. For this NPPO should:  
-  base determinations of pest status in an area on the most reliable and timely information 
available  
-  take into accoun t the categories and pest status determinations set out in this standard when 
exchanging pest status information between countries  
-  inform the NPPO of trading partners as soon as possible, and their regional plant protection 
organization (RPPO) where ap propriate, of relevant changes in pest status and especially 
reports of newly established pests  
-  report interceptions of regulated pests which suggest a change in pest status in the exporting 
country to other countries only after consultation with the e xporting country  
-  when becoming aware of an otherwise unreported record of a pest in another country, the 
NPPO may report it to other countries or RPPOs only after informing and where possible 
consulting with the NPPO concerned  
-  exchange pest status information in conformity with Article VII.2(j) and Article VIII.1(a) and 
VIII.1(c) of the IPPC to the extent practicable, and in a medium and language acceptable to 
both parties  
-  correct erroneous records as soon as possible.    
 7 6.5 Confidentiality  
Pest reports should not be confidential. Countries may have in place requirements regarding 
confidentiality of certain information, e.g. identity of growers. Confidentiality in bilateral 
arrangements should not conflict with international reporting obligations .  
6.6 Language  
NPPO should provide pest report in English language.  
 
7. Additional information  
On the basis of pest reports, countries may request additional information through official 
contact points.  
 
8. Review  
NPPO should undertake periodic review of  their pest surveillance and reporting systems to 
ensure that they are meeting their reporting obligations and to identify possibilities for improving 
reliability and timeliness.  
They should make adjustments as appropriate.  
9. Documentation  
 
National pest  surveillance and reporting systems should be adequately described and 
documented and this information should be made available to other countries on request             
(ISPM 6) .8 
 Annexure  1: Reporting responsibilities of National Plant Protection 
Organizat ion (NPPO)  
 
Reporting obligations under the IPPC  
 Description of NPPO  
 Points of entry  
 Lists of regulated pests,  
 Emergency actions  
 Phytosanitary restrictions, Requirements and prohibitions  
 Official contact points  
 
Other reporting under the IPPC  
 Non-complianc e 
 Organizational arrangements of plant protection  
 Pest status  
 Exchange information on import regulations  
 Nomination of IPPC Official Contact Point      
 Report occurrence, spread and outbreak of pests  
 Notify pest interceptions & report results  
 Report emerge ncy action  
 Respond to requests concerning pest status  
 Provide rationale for phytosanitary requirements  
 Provide technical & biological information for PRA  
 (Cooperate in the -) exchange of information  
 Consult on possible disputes  
 
 
 
 
  
 9  
Annexure 2:  Flow chart  for pest reporting and information exchange 
system  
 
                                       A new pest case or outbreak seen by  
Survey, Surveillance  
and monitoring  FARMER  
DADO, ARS, RARS  
Plant Protection Officer 
(Reg. Plant Protection Lab)  
Make field diagnosis  
Collection, preservation, 
etc 
NPPO (Plant 
Protection Directorate)  Reports to    advises  
Notifies  
notifies  Instructs Pest control  
Measures  
Instructs Plant 
Quarantine for 
regulating  
advices  
activates  Notifies  
Pest incursions, emergency actions & non -
compliances (WTO, IPPC, RPPO, Trading 
partners, Neighboring countries)  
 Emergency Pest 
Control Measures  
Whilst waiting for  
confirmation, notifies  
District Field and 
Administrative components  
 Set systems for surveillance & 
pest control measures  
 Orders search for cases  
 Declaration of Quarantine areas  
 Collects additional specimens  
 Added quarantine regulations  
 Revoking  Quarantine area  
 
 Notifies  
Laboratory Component  
Examines specimen and pictures 
submitted for confirmation  
Refers Diagnostic Labs  Confirms diagnosis  Research Institutions for PRA,  
PFA, pest diagnosis  
Pest Data 
documentation etc   
 10