CPM-17 adopts plant health standards to further promote safe trade

Rome, 28 March 2023. Amendments to existing international plant health standards were adopted at the seventeenth session of the Commission on Phytosanitary Measures (CPM-17), a move seen to enhance the phytosanitary regulation of trade of plants and plant products.

CPM adopted amendments to four International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures (ISPMs), including:

• ISPM 5 Glossary of phytosanitary terms, a harmonized, internationally agreed vocabulary associated with the implementation of the Convention and ISPMs. Certain terminologies in the glossary were either added, revised or deleted;
• Annex to ISPM 20 Use of specific import authorizations which provides national plant protection organizations with options when official consent for import is necessary. Options may also apply when import is prohibited for phytosanitary reasons or when phytosanitary import requirements for the particular purpose, articles or situations have not yet been established;
• Revision of ISPM 18 Requirements for the use of irradiation as a phytosanitary measure, which provides generic requirements for using ionizing radiation as a phytosanitary measure, specifically for treatments adopted under ISPM 28 Phytosanitary treatments for regulated pests; and
• Annex to ISPM 28 Phytosanitary treatments for Pseudococcus jackbeardsleyi, or irradiation treatment to prevent the development of the Jack Beardsleyi mealybug in fruits, vegetables and ornamental plants.

CPM-17 also approved to extend the consultation period for draft specifications to 90 days, ending on 30 September 2023, which aligns with the end of the consultation period for draft standards. It also modifies the consultation stage of the IPPC standard setting procedure where only IPPC contracting parties and regional plant protection organizations are allowed access to the IPPC Online Comment System where they can submit their comments.

CPM-17 thanked the IPPC Standards Committee, various working groups and technical panels for their expertise and commitment in ensuring plant health standards are in accordance with and support the IPPC’s mission.