G/SPS/GEN/1321  
 
25 March 2014  
(14-1847)  Page: 1/8  
Committee on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures  Original: English  
 
REPORT OF THE INTERNAT IONAL PLANT PROTECTION 
CONVENTION SECRETARIAT (IPPC) 
(AS OF 17 MARCH 2014) 
The following communication, received on 24 March 2014, is being circulated at the request of the 
International Plant Protection Convention secretariat (IPPC). 
 
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  1  INTRODUCTION 
1.1.  This report covers the period October 2013 – March 2014. 
1.2.  Preparations are nearly complete for the Ninth Session of the Commission on Phytosanitary 
Measures (CPM-9), which will be taking place from 31 March to 4 April 2014. This report covers 
general activities which have taken place subsequent to our last report in October 2013. Activities 
taking place in the areas of Capacity Development and Implementation Review and Support System (IRSS) are presented separately. 
1.3.  The Committee is invited to note that th e number of contracting parties to the IPPC has 
increased to 181. 
1.4.  The organizational placement of the Secret ariat within FAO has officially changed from the 
Agricultural Production and Protection (AGP) staff to the staff of the Assistant Director General as 
of 1 January 2014. 
2  STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK AND ISSUE SPECIFIC STRATEGIES 2.1  STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK 
2.1.  As previously mentioned in other reports,  implementation of the IPPC Strategic Framework 
continues apace. The establishment of the four strategic objectives has provided the basis for outreach to non-traditional contracts and enhanced and/or renewed relationships with traditional 
partners. Following the adoption of the new commu nications strategy at CPM-8 (2013), the IPPC 
Secretariat embarked on a communications need s assessment, supported by funds from the 
United States to develop a communications work plan for the IPPC. This needs assessment has recently been completed and will be pr esented for review and comment to CPM9. 
2.2.  As mentioned at the last meeting of this Committee, there were two significant proposals for 
the Strategic Planning Group to consider as the result of a call for proposals: one on the topic of implementation, and the other related to the process of adopting recommendations by the CPM. 
2.3.  During the meeting of the Strategic Planning Group which took place from 8-11 October 
2013, a simple process was proposed for the adoption of IPPC recommendations and after some additional discussion during the meeting it will be presented to the CPM in April 2014. The topic of 
implementation introduced by New Zealand also prompted several comments and suggestions. 
A paper reflecting the results of the Strategic Planning Group discussions and proposing a pilot implementation approach will be presented to the CP M as well. Expectations are that this will be a 
significant discussion for this year's CPM. G/SPS/GEN/1321 
 
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  3  STANDARD SETTING WORK PROGRAMME 
3.1  FRAMEWORK FOR STANDARDS TASK FORCE 3.1.  A Task Force to develop a Framework for IPPC Standards
1 met in September 2013 in Ottawa, 
Canada. Subsequently the following three elements were considered by the Standards Committee 
(SC) at its 2013 November2 meeting: 
 proposed framework; 
 ways in which it could be used; and 
 recommendations from the Task Force. 
3.2.  The SC agreed to use the structure propos ed by the Task Force (according to areas in the 
Convention as the foundation for the framework)  for pursuing the further development of the 
Framework for standards  and for a gap analysis. 
3.3.  The SC reviewed the recommendations of the Task Force and mainly agreed with 
recommendations noting that some of them should be further analysed and this would be done by 
a SC subgroup. The subgroup was requested to: 
 review, analyze and modify the proposed Framework for standards  as needed; 
 perform a gap analysis and make suggestions; 
 consider how gaps should be brought to the next call for topics and review of the List of 
topics for IPPC standards , or processed as supporting documents; 
 consider how the Framework for standards  could be introduced in the overall prioritization 
process; and 
 review, analyse and modify Task Force recommendations 5, 8, 9, 10, 12, 13, 14, 15 and 
decide how and to whom they should be addressed. 
3.2  INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS ON PHYTOSANITARY MEASURES (ISPMs) 
RECOMMENDED BY THE SC TO CPM FOR ADOPTION 
3.4.  The IPPC would like to inform the SPS Committee that the following ISPMs as well as 
phytosanitary treatments were recommended to CPM for adoption by the SC: 
 Appendix to ISPM 12 on Electronic certification, information on standard XML schemes and 
exchange mechanisms (2006-003); 
 Determination of host status of fruit to fruit fly  (Tephritidae) (2006-031); and 
 Annex 1 to ISPM 26 on Control measures for an outbreak within a fruit fly-pest free area 
(2009-007). 
Phytosanitary treatments 
 Cold treatment for Ceratitis capitata  on Citrus sinensis ; 
 Cold treatment Ceratitis capitata  on Citrus reticulata  x C. sinensis ; 
 Cold treatment for Ceratitis capitata  on Citrus limon ; 
 Cold treatment for Bactrocera tryoni  on Citrus limon ; 
 Cold treatment for Bactrocera tryoni  on Citrus sinensis ; 
 Cold treatment for Bactrocera tryoni  on Citrus reticulata  x C. sinensis ; 
 Cold treatment for Ceratitis capitata  on Citrus paradise ; and 
 Vapor heat treatment for Bactrocera cucurbitae  on Cucumis melo  var. Reticulatus. 
3.5.  However, 14 days prior to CPM-9 (2014), the IPPC Secretariat received formal objections3 to 
the draft ISPM on Determination of host status of fruit to fruit fly  (Tephritidae) (2006-031) and all 
seven of the cold treatments. These formal object ions have now been forwarded to the Standards 
Committee. 
                                               
1 Framework for Standards Task Force meeting report: https://www.ippc.int/core-activities/standards-
setting/framework-for-standards-task-force . 
2 Standards Committee November 2013 meeting report: https://www.ippc.int/core-activities/standards-
setting/standards-committee . 
3 CPM 2014/INF/05: https://www.ippc.int/publications/formal-objections-draft-ispms-presented-
adoption-cpm-9-2014 . G/SPS/GEN/1321 
 
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  3.2.1  Diagnostic protocol adopte d by the SC on behalf of CPM 
3.6.  Two draft Diagnostic Protocols were approv ed by the SC for the 45-days notification period4, 
which closed on 30 January 2014. The one draft Diagnostic Protocol for Phyllosticta citricarpa  
(McAlpine) Aa on fruit (2004-023), a proposed Annex to ISPM 27:2006, received a formal 
objection. This draft will now be returned to the Technical Panel on Diagnostic Protocols (TPDP), 
who will review the formal objection and advise the SC on how to proceed. The second draft, the 
Diagnostic Protocol on Tilletia indica  Mitra (Annex 4 to ISPM 27:2006 ( Diagnostic protocols for 
regulated pests ), received no formal objection, and was, for the first time in history, adopted by 
the SC on behalf of the CPM. 
3.3  DRAFT SPECIFICATIONS APPROVED BY THE SC 3.7.  The SC at its November 2013 meeting approved the following specifications: 
 Specification 57: International movement of w ood products and handicrafts made of wood 
(2008-008); 
 Specification 58: Revision of ISPM 4:1995 Requ irements for the establishment of pest free 
areas (2009-002); and 
 Specification 59: Revision of ISPM 8:1998 Determination of pest status in an area (2009-
005). 
3.8.  Specifications for ISPMs outline the cont ent and scope of a future ISPM and provide the 
Expert Working Group or Technical Panel what to consider while drafting or revising the ISPM. 
3.4  DRAFT SPECIFICATIONS APPROVED BY  THE SC FOR MEMBER CONSULTATION IN 
2014 
3.9.  The SC at its November 2013 meeting approved the following draft specifications for member 
consultation: 
 Draft specification on the International movement of grain (2008-007); and 
 Draft specification on the Revision of ISPM 6:1997 Guidelines for surveillance  (2009-004). 
3.10.  Comments must be submitted through the IPPC contact point using the Online Comment 
System.
5 
3.11.  This consultation period lasted 60 days, from 20 December 2013 to 20 February 2014. 
3.5  2013 MEMBER CONSULTATION ON DRAFT ISPMs 3.12.  The member consultation period on draft ISPMs closed on 1 December 2013 and compiled 
member comments were posted on the IPP https://www.ippc.int/core- activities/standards-
setting/compiled-member-comments-draft-standards . These comments will be considered by 
stewards and/or technical panels and a revised version of the draft ISPM will be presented to the 
Standards Committee Working Group (SC-7) meeting in May 2014. However, member comments 
on the preliminary draft ISPM on Minimizing pest movement by sea containers  (2008-001) will be 
considered by the SC in their 2014 May meeting; this is exceptional as it was the first time a preliminary draft standard was sent for member consultation to gather general conceptual 
comments. 
3.6  EXPERT CONSULTATION ON  DRAFT DIAGNOSTIC PROTOCOLS 
3.13.  The expert consultation on draft diagnostic protocols
6 is an expert comment system on the 
International Phytosanitary Portal (IPP) with the objective to ensure improvement in quality for the 
development of a draft diagnostic protocol, through inputs and feedback, on a scientific basis, from 
                                               
4 Notification period for diagnostic protocols: https://www.ippc.int/core- activities/standards-
setting/draft-ispms/notification-period-dps . 
5 Member consultation on draft specifications for ISPMs: https://www.ippc.int/core-activities/standards-
setting/member-consultation-d raft-specifications-ispms . 
6 Expert consultation on dr aft diagnostic protocols: https://www.ippc .int/core-activities/expert-
consultation-draft-diagnostic-protocols . G/SPS/GEN/1321 
 
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  a wider number of experts worldwide not part of the Diagnostic Protocol drafting group. A wider 
consultation of experts on draft protocols in earlie r stages of development is crucial to ensure the 
quality of the protocol and to facilitate the adoption process. 
3.14.  Currently the IPPC Secretariat opened two draft diagnostic protocols for comment until 
24 March 2014: 
 Draft DP on Xanthomonas fragariae  (2008-026), proposed Annex to ISPM 27:2006 
Diagnostic protocols for regulated pests ; and 
 Draft DP on Sorghum halepense  (L.) Pers. (2006-027), proposed Annex to ISPM 27:2006, 
Diagnostic protocols for regulated pests . 
3.7  CALL FOR TOPICS 2013 3.15.  The IPPC Secretariat issued a call for topics in 2013. Thirty-four submissions had been 
received in response to the call. The compiled submissions received are posted on the IPP
7. The 
submissions were discussed at the 2013 November  SC meeting and priorities were assigned. 
Submissions that did not have supporting justification or accompanying data were not considered. 
3.16.  The CPM-9 (2014) will be invited to adopt new topics as recommended by the SC and will 
adjust the List of topics for IPPC standards8 as needed, including assigning a priority for each 
newly added topic. 
3.8  CALL FOR EXPERTS 
3.17.  The IPPC made several calls for experts since October 2013: 
a. Expert Working Group (EWG) on Internationa l movement of cut flowers and branches 
(2008-005); 
b. EWG on Safe handling and disposal of waste with potential pest risk generated during 
international voyages (2008-004); 
c. EWG on International movement of wood products and handicrafts made from wood 
(2008-008); 
d. Technical Panel on Phytosanitary Treatments (TPPT); 
e. Technical Panel for the Glossary (TPG); and 
f. Diagnostic Protocol authors. 
3.18.  The EWG meeting to develop an ISPM on International movement of cut flowers and 
branches  (2008-005) is scheduled for 16-20 June 2014, in Naivasha, Kenya. 
3.19.  The EWG meeting to develop an on International movement of wood products and 
handicrafts made from wood (2008-008) is scheduled for 15-19 September 2014, in Rome, Italy. 
3.20.  As only two expert nominations were received for the EWG on Safe handling and disposal of 
waste with potential pest risk generated during international voyages (2008-004), the SC at its 
2013 November meeting agreed that this topic shou ld be proposed to CPM for deletion from the 
work programme. 
3.21.  Any changes to the EWGs and Technical Panels meeting dates will be published on the IPPC 
Calendar ( https://www.ippc.int/calendar/year/2014 ). 
                                               
7 Call for topics: https://www.ippc.int/core-activities/calls-topics . 
8 List of topics for IPPC standards: https://www.ippc.int/core-activities/standards-setting/list-topics-
ippc-standards . G/SPS/GEN/1321 
 
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  3.9  PROCEDURE MANUAL 
3.22.  The IPPC Secretariat updated the IPPC Procedure manual for standard setting9 (2013-
12 version). The manual is revised regularly to include any new decisions and procedures and to amend existing decisions and procedures as necessary. This edition of the manual includes all 
decisions and procedures made at the 2013 November SC meeting and prior. 
3.10  THE EXPERT CONSULTATI ON ON COLD TREATMENTS 
3.23.  The IPPC Secretariat facilitated an Expert Consultation on Cold Treatments
10 (ECCT). This 
was held in December 2013, in Buenos Aires, Argentina. The ECCT participants discussed several 
issues related to the development of cold phytosanitary treatments as well as the experimental design and review of the science supporting cold treatments. 
3.24.  The experts provided an overview of cold treatments they have developed and identified the 
main issues that need to be considered by researchers, who will provide data to National or 
Regional Plant Protection Organizations (NPPOs or  RPPOs). ECCT participants discussed practical 
issues related to the development of cold treatm ents and gaps in the research and methodologies 
used, including statistical analyses of data and the limitations of these analyses. Participants 
discussed the ways to facilitate collaboration to conduct future research and identified critical requirements for researches to be addressed. 
3.25.  The ECCT participants agreed to continue this work and established an independent network 
of researchers in order to share information and data to develop more globally acceptable cold treatments. 
3.26.  The participants established the Phytosanitary Temperature Treatments Expert Group
11, an 
independent group that approved a work plan for future collaboration and proposed to meet again 
in August 2015. 
3.11  EXPERT CONSULTATION ON PHYTOSANITARY TREATMENTS FOR THE BACTROCERA 
DORSALIS  COMPLEX 
3.27.  The value of holding an expert consultation on phytosanitary treatments for Bactrocera 
dorsalis  complex was discussed with the NPPO of Japan, the Technical Panel on Phytosanitary 
Treatments, the Technical Panel on Fruit Flies and the SC. All felt it would be a good opportunity to 
gather experts together to discuss technical issu es related to the development of experimental 
data supporting these treatments. After further discussion between the IPPC Secretariat and the NPPO of Japan, it was agreed to organize this ex pert consultation, hosted by Japan in Okinawa in 
December 2014. 
3.12  QUESTIONNAIRE ON ENGAGING EXPERTS IN THE STANDARD SETTING PROCESS  3.28.  The IPPC Secretariat released in January 2014 a survey on the Participation of experts in 
the standard setting process . This survey was sent out to NPPOs and RPPOs in an effort to identify 
possible constraints of NPPOs and RPPOs regarding the participation of their experts in the IPPC 
standard setting process. 
4  NATIONAL REPORTING OBLIGATIONS 
4.1  Contact points 4.1.  Most IPPC contact points have updated their information with the Secretariat. Any contracting 
parties communicating with other IPPC contact points should visit the IPP frequently to ensure 
                                               
9 https://www.ippc.int/core- activities/ippc-standard- setting-procedure-manual . 
10 https://www.ippc.int/partn ers/international-organi zations/phytosanitary-t emperature-treatments-
expert-group . 
11 https://www.ippc.int/partn ers/international-organi zations/phytosanitary-t emperature-treatments-
expert-group . G/SPS/GEN/1321 
 
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  they have the latest contact information. In addition, the Secretariat continues to work with a 
small number of countries that need to officially nominate their IPPC contact points. 
4.2  International Phytosanitary Portal (IPP) https://www.ippc.int  
4.2.  We encourage countries to visit the IPPC webs ite for updates as there continues to be a lot of 
information being made available by countries, along with news and information from the 
Secretariat. The Secretariat is constantly seeking ways to improve the IPP to increase its efficiency and improve the appearance and responsiveness. While this has caused some technical issues, the 
ultimate result will be a much more responsive and informative IPPC webpage. 
4.3.  Usage of the webpage continues to increase but it is clear that this can be improved in 
certain regions and in certain countries. Countries that are reporting certain IPPC obligatory information to the WTO are encouraged to provide this information (minimal modification is 
necessary) through the IPP to ensure they meet their IPPC reporting obligations. 
4.4.  The IPPC continues to believe that a lack of coordination and/or communication between SPS 
authorities and IPPC contact points in countries is of concern. Governments do not understand that 
meeting their WTO notification obligations does not in any way automatically meet their IPPC 
reporting obligations; i.e. they are two totally legally independent multi-lateral instruments of equal status. 
4.5.  The information available through the IPP has substantially increased the number of 
information resources available to support standard and IPPC implementation, capacity development and the Implementation Review and Support System (IRSS). This information is 
being increased continually and is available through: 
a. Newly updated Resources in Support of IPPC Implementation: 
http://www.phytosanitary.info  
b. IRSS: https://www.ippc.int/index.php ?id=1111059&L=0#irssactivities  
c. IRSS Help Desk: https://www.ippc.int/index.php?id=1111059&L=0#helpdesk  
d. IPPC Projects Database: http://projects.phytosanitary.info  
e. eLearning: http://elearning.phytosanitary.info  
f. A summary of IPPC Publications: https://www.ippc.int/about/mediakit  
4.3  Pest reporting 
4.6.  National pest reporting continues to improve but there is still potential for further 
improvement. The Secretariat is working on this information to allow users to access this 
information in a more constructive and analytical manner. 
4.7.  The Secretariat is also working with EPPO  to allow countries to undertake pest reporting 
through the RPPOs (as agreed in CPM) and once this  pilot project is functional it will be made 
available to other RPPOs. This should significantl y increase the number, accuracy and timeliness of 
pest reports received. 
4.8.  The Secretariat is exploring with CABI ways of ensuring "Plantwise" does not undermine pest 
reporting and other IPPC processes. Without signific ant adjustments, the risk of this happening is 
very high. 
4.4  Communications 4.9.  The IPPC Communications Strategy was ad opted by CPM-8 (2013). The Secretariat is now 
engaged in an effort to develop and implem ent a communications workplan. A communications 
needs assessment was recently completed. This wi ll provide the IPPC a clearer understanding of 
who the audiences are and the messages that are needed for them. It is intended that the needs 
assessment will drive the work plan and allow the Secretariat to have a greater focus in its 
communications activities into the future. G/SPS/GEN/1321 
 
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  4.10.  The following social media pages for the IPPC are available: 
a. Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Internati onal-Plant-Protection-Convention-
IPPC/113230338690380?ref=tn_tnmn  
b. Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/ippcnews  
c. LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/gro ups?gid=3175642&trk=hb_side_g  
d. Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/groups/internat ional_plant_protection_convention/  
e. YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/IPPCnews  
5  DISPUTE SETTLEMENT 
5.1.  With regard to dispute settlement, even wh ile the IPPC is in the process of reviewing the 
IPPC Dispute Settlement system, the Secretariat o ffers the IPPC dispute settlement mechanism as 
a reasonable approach for the resolution of phytosanitary disputes. In fact, plans are currently 
under way for the formation of an expert panel to resolve an outstanding phytosanitary dispute. 
5.2.  The review of the IPPC Dispute Settlement sy stem is ongoing, but the services of the IPPC 
remain available to those wishing to utilize them in an effort to resolve a dispute. 
6  RESOURCE MOBILIZATION 
6.1.  The Secretariat would like to thank all those contracting parties and other donors who 
contributed to the 2013 budget and activities of the IPPC. The IPPC once again encourages them 
to consider future, sustainable contributions. These donations will help to ensure the core work 
programme will be delivered. A full list of support is made available to CPM each year and can be found at: https://www.ippc.int/resource-mobilisation . 
6.2.  The sustainability of the IPPC Secretar iat, and hence the work programme of the IPPC, 
continues to be addressed as a high priority on an on-going basis. The current resource allocation 
(financial and human resources) measured against projected tasks is not sustainable. The Secretariat staff continues to engage in discussions with the governing body, as well as traditional 
and non-traditional partners, to improve the situation. 
6.3.  It cannot be stressed enough that it is essential the IPPC receive regular and predictable 
contributions to provide sustainability to the work programme. The FAO continues to faces severe 
financial challenges and is seeking cost reduction efforts in most areas; as a result the resources 
available to the IPPC activities continue to be affected, specifically in the area of information technology and support for the On-line Comment System. 
6.4.  The Secretariat remains open to any discussion with members or partner organizations that 
could provide solutions to the current challenges, particularly in the medium to long term. 
7  ELECTRONIC CERTIFICATIO N IN THE IPPC (EPHYTO) 
7.1.  ePhyto is a high priority for CPM and the revised Appendix 1 ( Electronic certification, 
information on standard XML schemes and exchange mechanisms  (2006-003)) to ISPM 12:2011 is 
out for member consultation (See above, paragr aph 3.12). 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. 
7.2.  A feasibility study on the establishment of an ePhyto hub has just been completed. The IPPC 
believes this represents a potential opportunity fo r future collaboration with OIE and Codex. The 
study will be provided to the CPM for additional review and discussion.  
7.3.  General information on ePhyto can be found on the IPPC Website at: 
http://www.ippc.int/index.php?id=1111140  or obtained from the IPPC Secretariat ( ippc@fao.org ). G/SPS/GEN/1321 
 
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  8  COOPERATION WITH THE WTO STANDARD SETTING ORGANIZATIONS 
8.1.  The IPPC secretariat would like to draw atte ntion to the following current on-going activities 
with Codex and OIE: 
a. Codex and the IPPC continue explore ways of addressing their IT needs in a more 
sustainable manner and share tools and skills when appropriate; 
b. Codex and the IPPC are now collaborating fully in the operational maintenance and 
improvement of the On-line Comment System; 
c. Codex, OIE and the IPPC continue to engage in consultations on Standard Trade and 
Development Facility (STDF) activities to understand each other's positions and coordinate activities and responses; 
d. There is ongoing cooperation between the "three sisters" on SPS-related capacity 
development projects, if and when appropriate; 
e. The Secretariat continues to participate in  coordination meetings between the "three 
sisters" to improve coordination and collaboration in SPS Committee meetings; 
f. Ad-hoc consultations are undertaken as and when subjects arise that are of mutual 
interest; and 
g. The Secretariat is committed to sustaining the deeper relationship between the "three 
sisters" to address future issues in the SPS Committee Secretariat and beyond. 
9  OTHER ACTIVITIES WITH THE WTO 9.1.  The IPPC is pleased to report that it is considering formally requesting the opportunity to 
become a member of the Preparatory Committee fo r the Agreement on Trade Facilitation. Due to 
the nature of the work, and the significance of  the relationships between Customs officials and 
Plant Health officials in ensuring the smooth flow of trade, the IPPC looks forward to working with 
its colleagues in ensuring that this agreement can be as successful as the SPS Agreement. The 
opportunity to collaborate and cooperate on the global level with our Customs brethren offers us 
an opportunity to focus on reducing impediments to the smooth flow of trade while assuring national governments that all phytosanitary concerns have been addressed. 
 
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