CPM Focus Group on Safe Provision of Food and Other Humanitarian Aid

The IPPC recognizes the necessity for international co-operation to prevent the global spread of plant pests. In emergency crisis situations, affected countries can be temporarily constrained in their ability to implement their phytosanitary responsibilities. Contracting parties that are donors of aid do have capacity at that time and thus their commitment to comply with Article IV of the IPPC becomes more critical.

During an emergency situation, conditions at borders can be very abnormal. Treatment and processing infrastructure may be damaged or inaccessible; water, electricity, manpower and other services are often cut and roads and ports are often destroyed, preventing the use of dedicated facilities and requiring activities to occur outside of declared ports of entry. Staff may be unable to travel to work or may be diverted to emergency tasks; and other government agencies and officials frequently urge the national plant protection organization (NPPO) and other agencies to release goods to people in need without undue delay.

Thus, unless appropriately prepared to meet the phytosanitary import requirements of the recipient country prior to export, the provided aid can cause long-term damage to vulnerable people and communities

No international standard currently exists to guide countries on the safe movement of aid during the unique pressures and logistical constraints of emergency situations. Given the predicted increase in frequency of natural disasters, potential man-made disasters, and the historical incidence of pest introductions through humanitarian aid, it is timely that an international standard is developed to address this gap in robust phytosanitary processes.

The purpose of the Focus Group will be to support the objectives of the IPPC strategic framework 2030 to enhance global food security and protect the environment from the impacts of plant pests and, where appropriate, environmental pests by:

⋅ Understanding the concerns raised by the Task Force on Topics (TFT) and contracting parties regarding development of a standard on The Safe Provision of Food and Other Humanitarian Aid and propose solutions for development of the standard, and other supplementary tools, to alleviate the concerns;

⋅ Outlining the key principles, requirements and other aspects that a standard on The Safe Provision of Food and Other Humanitarian Aid should contain (including the contents of annexes and appendices);

⋅ Revising the specification for the standard proposed by the Pacific Plant Protection Organization (PPPO) as needed.

More information at: https://www.ippc.int/en/core-activities/governance/cpm/cpm-focus-group-reports/cpm-focus-group-on-safe-provision-of-food-and-other-humanitarian-aid/

Category: Standard setting

Type: Other

Tags:

Focus Group Terms of Reference
Provisional agenda

https://www.ippc.int/en/core-activities/governance/cpm/cpm-focus-group-reports/cpm-focus-group-on-safe-provision-of-food-and-other-humanitarian-aid/
https://www.ippc.int/en/core-activities/governance/cpm/cpm-focus-group-reports/cpm-focus-group-on-safe-provision-of-food-and-other-humanitarian-aid/