2011 Guide to implementation of phytosanitary standards in forestry

On November 11, 2011, the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) published the Guide to implementation of phytosanitary standards in forestry. The guide represents a tool for countries to prevent forest-damaging pests from spreading to new areas.

Climate change, globalization, as well as the increased volume of wood products traded internationally, create new challenges for forests protection and pest management. The International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) has a fundamental role in developing International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures (ISPMs) and in coordinating Regional and National Plant Protection Organizations. Mr. Yukio Yokoi, Secretary of the IPPC, explained that all sectors in forestry need to understand what the IPPC is, and how NPPOs work so that the forest sector can play its part in implementing International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures (ISPMs) and help preserve forest health. Understanding the content of ISPMs, which target phytosanitary experts, is not always easy for foresters and differences in phytosanitary and forestry terminology often needs explanation.

The clear and concise guidance provided by the FAO document, with its plain forestry language descriptions and practical suggestions for the national implementation of standards, will give more support to pest management and develop the understanding of the IPPC and its scope.

The guide can be downloaded at www.fao.org/docrep/013/i2080e/i2080e.pdf and it is available in English, French, Chinese, and Russian. Spanish and Arabic versions are expected to be published next year.