WORLD TRADE  
ORGANIZATION  G/SPS/GEN/1028 
23 June 2010 
 (10-3428) 
Committee on Sanitary a nd Phytosanitary Measures Original:   English 
  
 
REPORT OF THE INTERNATIONAL PLANT PROTECTION  
CONVENTION SECRETARIAT (IPPC) 
 
Meeting of 29-30 June 2010
 
 
 
 The following communication, received on 22 June 2010, is being circulated at the request of 
the IPPC . 
 
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I. INTRODUCTION 
1. The report covers the period March to June  2010.  Annexed is the list of approved 
International Standards for Phytosanita ry Measures current up to June 2010. 
2. The Committee is invited to note that as of 12 May 2010, Mongolia is a new contracting party 
to the IPPC.  The number of contracting parties to the IPPC is now 173. 
II. DECISIONS OF THE COMMISSION ON PHYTOSANITARY MEASURES 
3. The Committee is invited to note that the Fi fth Session of the Commission on Phytosanitary 
Measures (CPM-5) was held in Rome from 22-26 March 2010. 
4. The CPM adopted the following standards: 
• A new ISPM on Pest free potato (Solanum spp.) micropropagative material and 
minitubers for international trade.  
• A new ISPM on Design and operation of post-entry quarantine stations for plants .  
• Annexes to ISPM No. 28 ( Phytosanitary treatments for regulated pests )  
- Irradiation treatment for Conotrachelus nenuphar  
- Irradiation treatment for Grapholita molesta  
- Irradiation treatment for Grapholita molesta under hypoxia. 
• Annex to ISPM No. 27 ( Diagnostic protocols for regulated pests)    
- Diagnostic protocol for  Thrips palmi Karny 
• An amendment to ISPM No. 5 ( Glossary of phytosanitary terms ). 
5. The CPM adopted the Capacity Development  strategy and approved continued work on the 
operational plan for building national phytosanitary capacity. G/SPS/GEN/1028 
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  III. STANDARD-SETTING WORK PROGRA MME (UPDATE:  JUNE 2010) 
(a) Standards Committee (SC) 
6. The SC met in April 2010 at FAO Headquarters in Rome, Italy and approved, for the member 
consultation period June 21-30 Septembe r 2010, the following five draft ISPMs: 
• Systems approaches for pest risk management of fruit flies (Tephritidae)  
• Submission of new treatments for inclusion in ISPM No.15  
• Integrated measures approach for managing p est risks associated with international 
trade of plants for planting  
• Irradiation treatment for Ceratitis  Capitata (Annex to ISPM 28)  
• Diagnostic protocol for Plum pox virus (Annex to ISPM 27)  
(b) 2010 Member consultation period for the review of draft ISPMs 
7. The draft ISPMs will be reviewed in the following regions: 
Region Date 
(2010 
Tentative) Venue Organized 
by Other 
Funding Source 
Africa 9-13August  Zambia IAPSC PANSPSO/EU/AU 
Asia 6–10 September Busan City, Republic of 
Korea FAO Republic of Korea 
Caribbean 6-10September  Port of Spain, Trinidad and 
Tobago USDA FAO 
CIS countries and 
Central Asia 19 -23July  Bykovo, Moscow Region FAO EU Trust Fund 
Latin America 30 August–
3 September San Jose, Costa Rica IICA FAO 
Near East 5–8 July Cairo, Egypt FAO EU Trust Fund/ 
FAO 
Pacific 9-13 August Nadi, Fiji SPC EU Trust Fund 
 
8. The Committee is invited to note the dates provi ded in the schedule above and encourage the 
appropriate persons in their respective countries to ensure that the ISPMs are reviewed and comments 
submitted to the IPPC secretariat before the dead line of 30 September 2010.  For the second year, the 
Secretariat will administer a survey to work shop attendees to address the association between 
workshop attendance and participation in  the standards development process. 
9. The secretariat is developing  an online syst em to streamline the process of commenting on 
draft ISPMs for  members and for the IPPC secretariat.  This system is projected to be functional for the 2011 member comment period.  Member countries will again assist in compiling comments in 
2010. 
(c) Call for experts 
10. In December 2009, the IPPC secretariat made calls  for nomination of experts to take part in 
Expert working groups (EWGs) to develop a draf t ISPM for Specification 48 (International movement 
of used vehicles, machinery  and equipment ) and Specification 43 ( Movement of soil and growing  G/SPS/GEN/1028 
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  media in association with plants in international trade) .  In March 2010, a call for a Chinese speaking 
expert for the technical panel on glossary was made.  
(d) Draft specifications  
11. At the April 2010 Standards Committee meeting th ree draft specifications were approved for 
member consultation:  
• Minimizing pest movement by air containers and aircrafts; 
• Systems for authorizing phytosanitary activities;  and  
• Safe handling and disposal of waste with potential pest risk generated during 
international voyages. 
 
12. Two specifications were finalized and appr oved at the April 2010 Standards Committee 
meeting:  
• Minimizing pest movement by sea contai ners and conveyances in international trade  and  
• Protocol to determine host status of frui ts to fruit fly (Tephritidae) infestation . 
 (e) Expert working groups 
13. An EWG on the Importation of Plant Breeding Material was held in Amsterdam, the 
Netherlands, 1-5 February 2010.   
14. An EWG on Movement of Soil and Growing Media in Association with Plants in 
International Trade was held in Ottawa, Canada, 14–18 June 2010.  
(f) Technical panels 
15. Five technical panels will meet in 2010 to co ntinue work in their areas of specialization, 
drafting ISPMs and diagnostic protocols, approvi ng treatments, and reviewing the glossary of 
phytosanitary terms. 
Panel Date Venue 
Technical Panel on Forest Quarantine 5-9 July Izmit, Turkey 
Technical Panel on Diagnostic Protocols 26-30 July Washington, DC 
Technical Panel on Phytosanitary Treatments 26-30 July Kyoto, Japan 
Technical Panel on Fruit Flies 4-8 October Vienna, Austria 
Technical Panel on Glossary 11-15 October Rome, Italy 
IV. INFORMATION EXCHANGE 
(a) Contact points 
16. Through 15 June 2010, over 80 per cent of IPPC contact points have updated their 
information at least once.  This contributes subs tantially to improving communication between the 
secretariat and contracting parties.  This means that contracting parties communicating with other 
IPPC contact points should visit the IPP frequently to ensure they have the latest contact information. G/SPS/GEN/1028 
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  (b) Unofficial contact points  
17. The following contracting parties have unofficial contact points and still need to make formal 
nominations for official IPPC contact points:  
• Africa:  None 
• Asia:  Myanmar  
• Europe:  Greece  
• Latin America & the Caribbean:  Baham as, El Salvador, Saint Kitts & Nevis 
• Near East:  Bahrain, Kuwait, United Arab Emirates 
• Southwest Pacific:  Fiji, Tuvalu, Vanuatu. 
 
(c) International Phytosanitary Portal (IPP) 
18. Usage of the IPP continues to increase but it a pparent that this can be improved in certain 
regions and in certain countries.  Internet access/re liability has a role to play in certain countries. 
19. A new form for communicating information rega rding national implementation of ISPM 15 is 
now available on the IPP:  https://www.ippc.int/?id=1110520&no_cache=1&type=ispm&L=0
.  
Likewise, countries are also able to post informati on regarding their pest free areas or areas of low 
pest prevalence:  https://www.ippc.int/?id=1110 520&no_cache=1&type=pfa&L=0 . 
(d) Pest reporting 
20. National pest reporting continues to improve, w ith increased reports and numbers of countries 
reporting.  However, there is still consider able room for improvement in reporting. 
(e) Communications strategy 
21. The secretariat continues to develop an IPPC communications strategy, and associated 
communications work plan, to support the resource mobilization strategy and to increase awareness of 
the benefits of the IPPC.  This work is consider ed a high priority as many decision and policy makers 
are not aware of the importance and successes of the IPPC work. 
22. As a result of an effective communications strategy we would expect to see: 
• global recognition of the successes of the work done by the IPPC; 
• global recognition of the negative impact of the phytosanitary failures; 
• changed perceptions about what constitut es real, urgent threats and risks while 
protecting plants; 
• substantially improved recognition of the N PPO’s role and importance in protecting 
national plant health; 
• substantially improved resources availa ble to the plant protection community 
(national, regional and globally) to conduct their currently under resourced work in a 
more sustainable manner, particularly relative to the comparable programmes of 
animal health and food safety; 
• phytosanitary resource issues are embedded as a national priority and in policy;  G/SPS/GEN/1028 
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  • effective global and regional cooperation a nd synergies developed in meeting this 
goal;  and 
• the generation of improved financial a nd in kind support for the secretariat. 
 
V. DISPUTE SETTLEMENT 
23. The secretariat has received the first official re quest for the activation of the IPPC Dispute 
Settlement system.  Although there have been ma ny successful informal consultations regarding 
phytosanitary dispute avoidance in the past, th is will be the first formal case under the IPPC. 
VI. CAPACITY BUILDING  
(a) Strategy and operational plan 
24. The IPPC secretariat presented the phytosan itary capacity building strategy and the 
operational plan to CPM-5 for approval.  The strategy was adopted and further work on the 
operational plan was approved.  A small working group will be convened in  October 2010 to progress 
the operational plan further.  
(b) Projects (phytosanitary capacity development) 
25. The main aim of the projects th at the IPPC is involved in c oncerns the proper implementation 
of the IPPC standards and the Convention.  The secretariat continued its collaboration with donor 
agencies and contracting parties in the delivery of technical assistance for capacity building in 
projects funded through various sources.  The secretariat, under a supervisory or implementation 
agreement signed between the Standards and Trade Development Facility (STDF) and FAO, provided 
its services to the three STDF projects listed below, among the following eight projects directly 
supported by the IPPC secretariat: 
• UNJP/URT/129/MUL - Bio security capacity building  
• STDF 171 - Establishment of a Centre of Phytosanitary Excellence (COPE) in East Africa  
• STDF 230 - Establishment of Lethal yellowing Disease- free area for coconuts in 
Mozambique  
• STDF 133- Capacity building in the use of the Phytosanitary Capacity Evaluation Tool in the 
Pacific :  A final report was prepared and submitted to the STDF secretariat. 
• TCP/MOZ/3205:  Management and mitigati on measures for alien invasive fruit fly 
(Bactrocera invadens) in Mozambique  
• TCP/INS/3203:  Strengthening Quarantine Control Systems for Invasive Alien Species (IAS)  
• TCP/ERI/3204:  Strengthening capacity for inte grated pest management (IPM) in Eritrea 
Citrus pilot IPM programme 
• TCP/MDV/3201:  Maldives - Assistance in the Drafting of Agricultural Legislation. 
 (c) Project formulation  
26. The IPPC secretariat continues to assist in the formulation of a number of projects to improve 
phytosanitary capacity of members.  These include: 
• Regional project for West  Africa on Bactrocera invadens valued at USD 9M G/SPS/GEN/1028 
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  • Project to strengthen phytosanitary  services in Mozambique 
• Five (5) multi-year trust fund projects submitted for proposal to donors by FAO. 
 
In addition, contracting parties submit project formulation requests to the secretariat from time to 
time.  The IPPC secretariat has assisted Afghanist an, the Bahamas, Lebanon, Lesotho, Malawi and 
Senegal by providing technical inputs on project design.  Projects are currently being formulated and 
submitted to donors for funding. 
(d) Phytosanitary capacity evaluation  
27. Development of a new improved online version continues and significant progress has been 
made.  The PCE tool is being translated into Sp anish and French.  These language versions will be 
integrated into the site as soon as they are completed.  A Regional Plant Protection Organization ( 
OIRSA – Organismo Internacional Regional de Sanida d Agropecuaria), is paying for the translation 
of the tool into Spanish.  Software Development is  expected to be concluded at the end of July and 
field testing will commence from 15 July – December 2010. 
(e) Implementation review and support system  
28. The Commission on Phytosanitary Measures (C PM-3, 2008) adopted the Programme for the 
Development of the "Implementation Review and Support System" (IRSS).  IRSS programme has 
now started and core activities include the est ablishment of an "IPPC Help Desk" and the 
development, distribution and analysis of a questio nnaire on the implementation of the Convention by 
the Contracting Parties.  The "IPPC Help Desk" would deal with: 
• countries requesting assistance on the implementation of ISPMs; 
• provision of advice relating to ISPMs (with assi stance of the Subsidiary Body on Dispute 
Settlement); 
• monitoring, identification and reporting of compliance and implementation issues;  and 
• ensuring contracting parties requesting assistan ce are put in contact with potential funding 
sources. 
29. The IPPC secretariat does not currently have f unding to continue providing staff for this post 
past 31 December 2010.  This needs to be ur gently addressed as the IRSS programme will not 
continue in 2011 if additional budgetary resources are not found.  The secretariat is actively looking 
for funding from donors and partners to ensure the IRSS is sustainable and becomes an integral part of 
the CPM work programme. 
VII. RESOURCE MOBILIZATION 
30. The sustainability of IPPC secretariat, and he nce the work programme of the IPPC, is being 
addressed as a matter of urgency.  The current res ource allocation (financial and human resources) is 
simply not sustainable.  Therefore, the Secretary is giving this his highest priority and has begun 
discussions with the governing body and some partne rs to improve the situation in the foreseeable 
future.  This will be one of the primary focus ar eas during the annual meeting of the CPM informal 
Working Group on Strategic Planning and Technical Assistance in the early October. 
31. The secretariat would welcome any discussions with contracting parties or partner 
organizations that would provide solutions to the cu rrent challenges, particularly in the medium to 
long term.  G/SPS/GEN/1028 
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  ANNEX 
 
Adopted International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures (ISPMs)  
 
 
Texts of adopted ISPMs are available at:  https://www.ippc.int/id/13399  
 ISPM No. 1 (2006) Phytosanitary principles for the protection of plants and the application of 
phytosanitary measures in international trade  (originally adopted in 1993, 
revised in 2006) 
ISPM No. 2 (2007) Framework for pest risk analysis (originally adopted in 1995, revised in 
2007) 
ISPM No. 3 (2005) Guidelines for the export, shipment, import and release of biological control 
agents and other beneficial organisms  (originally adopted in 1996, revised in 
2005) 
ISPM No. 4 (1995) Requirements for the establishment of pest free areas  
ISPM No. 5 (2009) Glossary of phytosanitary terms  (updated as needed) 
  - Supplement No. 1 (2001) Guidelines on the interpretation and 
 application of the concept of official control for regulated pests  
  - Supplement No. 2 (2003) Guidelines on the understanding of 
 potential economic importance  and related terms including reference 
 to environmental considerations 
  - Appendix No. 1 (2009):  Terminology of the Convention on 
 Biological Diversity in relation to  the Glossary of phytosanitary 
 terms  
ISPM No. 6 (1997) Guidelines for surveillance  
ISPM No. 7 (1997) Export certification system  
ISPM No. 8 (1998) Determination of pest status in an area  
ISPM No. 9 (1998) Guidelines for pest eradication programmes  
ISPM No. 10 (1999) Requirements for the establishment of pest  free places of production and pest 
free production sites ) 
ISPM No. 11 (2004) Pest risk analysis for quarantine pests, including analysis of environmental 
risks and living modified organisms  (originally adopted in 2001, revised in 
2003 and 2004) 
ISPM No. 12 (2001) Guidelines for phytosanitary certificate s 
ISPM No. 13 (2001) Guidelines for the notification of non-compliance and emergency action  
ISPM No. 14 (2002) The use of integrated measures in a systems approach for pest risk 
management 
ISPM No. 15 (2002) Regulation of wood packaging material in international trade  (originally 
adopted in 2002, revised in 2009) 
   - Annex 1 (2006) Approved measures associated with wood packaging 
  materials  (methyl bromide fumigation schedule modified in 2006) 
ISPM No. 16 (2002)  Regulated non-quarantine pests:  Concept and application 
ISPM No. 17 (2002)  Pest reporting  G/SPS/GEN/1028 
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  ISPM No. 18 (2003)  Guidelines for the use of irradi ation as a phytosanitary measure  
ISPM No. 19 (2003)  Guidelines on lists of regulated pests  
ISPM No. 20 (2004)  Guidelines for a phytosanitary import regulatory system  
ISPM No. 21 (2004)  Pest risk analysis for regulated non-quarantine pests  
ISPM No. 22 (2005)  Requirements for the establishment of  areas of low pest prevalence  
ISPM No. 23 (2005)  Guidelines for inspection  
ISPM No. 24 (2005)  Guidelines for the determination and recognition of equivalence of 
 phytosanitary measures 
ISPM No. 25 (2006)  Consignments in transit 
ISPM No. 26 (2006)  Establishment of pest free areas for fruit flies (Tephritidae) 
ISPM No. 27 (2006)  Diagnostic protocols for regulated pests 
- - Annex 1 (2010)Diagnostic protocol for Thrips palmi Karny  
ISPM No. 28 (2007) Phytosanitary treatments for regulated pests 
   - Annex 1 (2009) Irradiation treatment for Anastrepha ludens  
   - Annex 2 (2009) Irradiation treatment for Anastrepha obliqua  
   - Annex 3 (2009) Irradiation treatment for Anastrepha serpentina  
   - Annex 4 (2009) Irradiation treatment for Bactrocera jarvisi  
   - Annex 5 (2009) Irradiation treatment for Bactrocera tryoni  
   - Annex 6 (2009) Irradiation treatment for Cydia pomonella  
   - Annex 7 (2009) Irradiation treatment for fruit flies of the family      Tephritidae (generic) 
   - Annex 8 (2009) Irradiation treatment for Rhagoletis pomonella 
   - Annex 9 (2010) Irradiation treatment for Conotrachelus nenuphar 
   - Annex 10 (2010)Irradiation treatment for  Grapholita Molesta 
   - Annex 11 (2010)Irradiation treatment for Grapholita Molesta under 
  hypoxia  
ISPM No. 29 (2007)  Recognition of pest free areas and areas of low pest prevalence 
ISPM No. 30 (2008)  Establishment of areas of low pest prevalence for fruit flies (Tephritidae) 
ISPM No. 31 (2008)  Methodologies for sampling of consignments  
ISPM No. 32 (2009) Categorization of commodities a ccording to their pest risk 
ISPM No. 33 (2010) Pest free potato (Solanum spp.) micropropagative material and minitubers 
   for international trade 
ISPM No. 34 (2010) Design and operation of post-entry quarantine stations for plants  
 
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