International Framework and the IPPC

MODULE ONEIPPC Participation

What this Module Covers

• The BIG international picture - both trade and environment aspects

• How the different international standard setting bodies fit together

• How other international plant health bodies fit the framework

• IPPC and its operating bodies and where to participate

What is the World Trade Organisation?

• A system of trade rules

• A forum for governments to negotiate trade liberalizing agreements

• A place where member governments go, to try to sort out the trade problems they face with each other

• A place for them to settle trade disputes

• Overall aim is to ensure that trade flows as smoothly, predictably and as freely as possible

• Is to provide principles under which to trade• Aims to protect health in all member counties and to

prevent trade barriers • It encourages trade to take place unless there are

valid health concerns to restrict or prevent trade • Such restrictions should be based on harmonized

international standards or be scientifically justified

Main Purpose Of The SPS Agreement

Harmonization

“To harmonize sanitary and phytosanitary measures on as wide a basis as possible,

Members shall base their sanitary or phytosanitary measures on international

standards, guidelines or recommendations, where they exist, except as otherwise provided for in this Agreement, and in

particular in paragraph 3.”

Annex 3.1 of the SPS Agreement

International Standard Setting Bodies Under the SPS

• World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE)

• Joint FAO/WHO Codex Alimentarius Commission (Codex)

• International Plant Protection Commission (IPPC)

International Plant Health Regulatory Framework

IPPC

… to secure common and effective action to prevent the spread and introduction of pests of plants and plant products, and to promote appropriate measures for their control.

(Article 1 of IPPC)

Purpose of the IPPC

• 178 Contracting Parties

• 10 Regional Plant Protection Organisations

• Relevant Observers - International Organizations also are involved (SPS, CBD) and REC

Membership

• is the governing body of the IPPC• reviews the state of plant protection around the world • identifies action to control the spread of pests into new

areas • develops and adopts international standards • establishes rules and procedures for resolving

disputes • adopts guidelines for the recognition of regional plant

protection organizations; and • cooperates with international organizations on matters

covered by the Convention

CPM (Commission on Phytosanitary Measures)

Subsidiary Bodies

• Bureau

• Standards Committee

• Subsidiary Body on Dispute settlement

Other mechanisms

• Capacity Development Committee (CDC)

• Technical panels

• Expert Working Groups

• Informal working groups eg: Strategic Planning Group (SPG)

• Open-Ended Working Groups

IPPC structures

• The purpose of the Bureau is to provide guidance to the CPM on:

• Strategic direction• Financial Management• Operational management of its activities in

cooperation with others as approved by CPM.

Bureau

• It’s the CPM Standards development body• 25 members from all 7 FAO regions• It serves as a mechanism to manage the

standard setting process:• Identifying priorities• Managing drafting• Selecting members of the groups• Approving and reviewing specifications and

standards

Standards Committee

Subsidiary Body on Dispute SettlementBenefits of the system•  Not as high level as the WTO process as it is done on a

technical level. • It offers a range of mechanisms to deal with specific

disputes• It's likely to be less costly and lengthy than other dispute

settlement systems• Allow for quicker resolution of disputes than other

systems though it doesn’t make binding decisions;

Capacity Development Committee

• Provides an oversight to developing national phytosanitary capacity of contracting parties

• Committee has 7 experts – 1 from each FAO Region

• Membership is through an open call – members selected for individual expertise.

Technical Panels• The 5 panels develop technical standards and work

under the direction of the SC on an ongoing basis

• A steward, who is usually a member of the SC, supports the deliberations of the Panel

• Members of Technical Panels are selected by the SC following a call for experts

• 5 year renewable term

Expert Working Groups (EWG)

• EWG members are nominated in response to a call for experts

• 6-10 participants• Work on one specific standard (Unlike Technical

Panels)

• Informal

• Open to any NPPO to attend

• Are established on a specific topic

Informal working groups & Open-Ended Working Groups

Funding• FAO regular program funds• Trust Fund for the IPPC established in 2003• Far more activities on the CPM-approved work program

than the budget allows for.• How to Assist

– Donate funds directly to the Trust Fund– In-Kind donations– Associate Professional Officers

Regional plant protection and functions in the IPPC

• Regional Plant Protection Organization (RPPO) is an intergovernmental organization that coordinates on a regional level

• They are considered ‘Observers’ at CPM meetings

• Technical Consultation among RPPO’s• There are 10……….

• Asia and Pacific Plant Protection Commission (APPPC)• Comunidad Andina (CAN)• Comite de Sanidad Vegetal del Cono Sur (COSAVE)• Caribbean Plant Protection Commission (CPPC)• European and Mediterranean Plant Protection

Organization (EPPO)• Inter-African Phytosanitary Council (IAPSC)• North American Plant Protection Organization (NAPPO)• Organismo Internacional Regional de Sanidad

Agropecuaria (OIRSA)• Pacific Plant Protection Organization (PPPO). • Near East Plant Protection Organization (NEPPO)

RPPO’s

• Participate in the development of standards (such as providing comments in the consultation phase, identifying topics for standards, etc.)

• Identify regional standards that could form a basis for ISPMs• Nominate experts for IPPC expert working groups and

technical panels• Act as collaborators/hosts for standard-setting meetings• Prepare draft explanatory documents on IPPC documents as

appropriate• Provide technical and administrative support to IPPC

representing members.• Allow collaboration on all IPPC related issues

Their role is to .......

• Official contact points• Official documents (ISPMs, reports, ICPM

documents)• Phytosanitary information from countries• IRSS web page and helpdesk • Links to RPPO sites

https://www.ippc.int

International Phytosanitary Portal