CPM-19 approves the development of International Standard on Phytosanitary Measures for Humanitarian Aid

Rome, 20 March 2025 – In a significant move to protect global plant health during humanitarian crises, the Commission on Phytosanitary Measures (CPM-19) has approved the draft specification for a new International Standard for Phytosanitary Measures (ISPM) titled "Safe Provision of Humanitarian Aid in the Phytosanitary Context", with high priority. This decision marks a crucial step towards ensuring that vital aid shipments do not inadvertently introduce or spread plant pests, reinforcing the principle of "do no harm".

The approved specification addresses the urgent need to balance the rapid delivery of humanitarian assistance with the imperative of protecting agricultural resources and biodiversity. This milestone follows extensive collaboration and input from the Focus Group on the Safe Provision of Food and Other Humanitarian Aid (FGSA), established at CPM-16 in 2022.

“This specification provides a transparent mechanism to ensure that urgent humanitarian responses do not compromise plant health, protecting both agriculture and biodiversity in the recipient regions," said Nelson Laville, CPM FGSA Chairperson.

Nelson Laville, Chairperson of the Focus Group on the Safe Provision of Food and Other Humanitarian Aid (FGSA) - ©FAO/Anita Tibasaaga

The journey toward this pivotal standard began in 2021 when the topic was first proposed, the same year the CPM adopted Recommendation R-09, recognizing the phytosanitary risks associated with aid movement. At CPM-18 in 2024, the Focus Group presented an updated draft specification to address these risks, which was approved for consultation, inviting feedback from all IPPC contracting parties and regional plant protection organizations (RPPOs).

After meticulously reviewing and incorporating the received comments, the Focus Group refined the draft specification and submitted it to the Standards Committee (SC) at its November 2024 meeting, leading to further refinements before its presentation to CPM-19 for final approval.

“The region I’m from, the Southwest Pacific, submitted this topic as it is a priority for us, a region vulnerable to natural disasters and the increasing impacts of climate change. We are grateful for the work of the FGSA to progress thinking on the issue and very warmly welcome the support and decision of the IPPC community, through the CPM, to develop an ISPM on this topic,” stated Sophie Peterson, CPM FGSA Vice-Chairperson.

Sophie Peterson, Vice-Chairperson of the Focus Group on the Safe Provision of Food and Other Humanitarian Aid (FGSA) - ©FAO/Anita Tibasaaga

The approved specification now outlines the scope of the proposed standard and the tasks for an Expert Working Group. This will ensure that the future ISPM, once implemented, effectively minimizes pest risks associated with humanitarian aid. The standard will provide critical guidance to National Plant Protection Organizations (NPPOs) in origin, transit, and recipient countries. Moreover, it will provide options to establish key phytosanitary measures, risk assessment procedures, and coordination strategies among international relief organizations, NPPOs, RPPOs, and aid agencies.

"This approval reaffirms the IPPC community commitment to balancing the urgent need for humanitarian aid with the imperative of safeguarding global plant health. We are ensuring that "do no harm" extends beyond human lives and to protect our agricultural resources and biodiversity,” said Adriana G. Moreira, Deputy Lead the IPPC Standard Setting Unit.

With this significant approval, the specification has been added to the List of Topics for IPPC Standards with priority 1. The IPPC community will now proceed with developing the full standard, adhering to the established Standard Setting Procedure, to ensure that humanitarian aid can be delivered effectively and safely, without jeopardizing global plant health and countries' economies.

The IPPC, the Focus Group and the CPM-19 acknowledged the collaborative efforts and the substantial financial contribution from Australia to this work.