Posted on Thu, 22 Nov 2012, 20:01

From 14 to 18 March, over 350 delegates representing National Plant Protection Organizations, Regional Plant Protection Organizations, Regional Economic Communities, international organizations and other observers from the scientific community and the private sector convened at FAO Headquarters in Rome for the sixth session of the Commission on Phytosanitary Measures.

The Commission was presented with a draft Strategic Framework for 2012-2019. After discussing the draft Strategic Framework in the plenary and in an evening session, the CPM reached consensus on four strategic objectives, namely to: A. protect sustainable agriculture and enhance global food security through the prevention of pest spread; B. protect the environment, forests and biodiversity against plant pests; C. facilitate economic and trade development through the promotion of harmonized, scientifically-based phytosanitary measures; and D. develop phytosanitary capacity for members to accomplish A, B & C.

Further work is still needed on the details of the draft Strategic Framework, but the Commission agreed with its intent and the overall structure. Dr. Colin Grant, Executive Manager of the Biosecurity Services Group for Plants of Australia, commented that "as a document and as a framework I found it very convincing. It provides a clear statement of what the IPPC is and where it proposes to focus its efforts. I strongly endorse and support any efforts that we can put into finalizing this document and having a product that we can use to portray the big picture." Rebecca Bech, Deputy Administrator of Plant Protection and Quarantine of the U.S. Animal Plant Health Inspection Service, indicated her country^^s support for the rapid completion of the strategic framework, stating that "the strategic framework would position the IPPC to proactively respond to new global challenges."

All members are encouraged to send written comments and technical support information on the proposed Strategic Framework to the IPPC Secretariat ([email protected]) by 15 April 2011.

The revised draft Strategic Framework, Medium Term Plan, programme of work and budget and annual operational plan will be considered by CPM-7 in March 2012.