Posted on Fri, 31 Jan 2025, 08:10

Deadline on Mon, 03 Mar 2025, 23:59

The International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) Secretariat is soliciting nominations for potential emerging pests under the Pest Outbreak and Alert Response Systems (POARS) framework. These pests will be used to pilot parts of the POARS activities, forming part of the larger plan to establish a fully operational POARS by 2028. Recognizing the need for continuous monitoring and discussion of emerging pest situations, CPM-14 (2019) confirmed that updates on such issues would be included as a standing item on the CPM agenda.

Process overview

The POARS Steering Group (POARS SG) has outlined a process for identifying, nominating, and assessing potential emerging pests of global concern. This process includes:

1. Identifying potential emerging pests through pest reporting and horizon scanning.

2. Pests can be nominated by National Plant Protection Organizations (NPPOs), RPPOs, or the IPPC Secretariat.

3. Assessing those pests against established criteria.

Pests meeting the relevant criteria are designated as emerging pests of global concern, triggering IPPC alerts and targeted prevention, preparedness, and response activities. Pests not meeting the established criteria may be added to a watch list or excluded.

Submission requirements

All NPPOs and RPPOs are invited to nominate potential emerging pests that could become a global concern. Each nomination must include at least a simple but the completed nomination form, which can be accessed via this link: https://www.ippc.int/en/publications/94290/

To facilitate the assessment process, applicants are also encouraged to provide any relevant supporting information, such as Pest Risk Analyses (PRAs) or scientific papers, if available. While optional, these documents will help streamline the collation of information.

Relevant stakeholders, such as research institutions, international organizations, traders or private sector can contribute nominations through an NPPO or RPPO. Official Contact Points are available in the IPP.

Deadline

Submissions are due by 03 March 2025 (COB Rome time) and must be sent via email to [email protected] with copy to Camilo BELTRAN MONTOYA, Agricultural Officer ([email protected]). Please include “CPM POARS emerging pest Nomination” in the subject line.

Next steps

The POARS SG will assess the nominated pests. The list of nominated pests will be available in the IPP. Pests that are considered to qualify as emerging pests by the POARS SG may then be selected to pilot the alert system and prevention, preparedness and response components of the POARS.

For additional information or guidance, please contact enter link description here[email protected]