Deepening the Bilateral Cooperation of the IPPC with New Zealand

Mr. Jingyuan Xia, the IPPC Secretary visited the New Zealand Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) for the first time on 9 September 2016. During his visit, Mr Xia had a meeting with Mr Martyn Dunne, the Director-General of MPI along with MPI staff members Mr Chris Carson, Director of International Policy, Mr John Hedley, Principal Adviser of International Policy, and Mr Stephen Butcher, Manager Import and Exports (Plants).

Mr Xia took the opportunity when talking to Mr Dunne to express his thanks to New Zealand government for its support to the IPPC work programme over many years. He noted the contributions included financial, in-kind support, and technical contributions. Mr Xia then briefed Mr Dunne on the progress of the IPPC strategic plan of the IPPC towards 2020, and the results of the IPPC Secretariat Enhancement Evaluation. He noted the future priorities of the IPPC core activities including standards implementation, climate change & biodiversity, safe and efficient trade, and emerging pests. Mr Xia said the he hoped the cooperation of the IPPC with New Zealand would deepen and that New Zealand would continue to support to the IPPC s work in particular that concerning emerging pests, ePhyto, sea containers and commodity standards.

In response Mr Dunne expressed his appreciation for the IPPC prioritizing its work towards standards implementation, safe and efficient trade, and emerging pest issues. He noted the recent difficulties in New Zealand with incursions arising from imported plant material and stressed that the IPPC should work to further improve the phytosanitary certification process so there were fewer non-compliances. Mr Dunne also emphasized that IPPC should play a more important role in promoting biosecurity - it is a high priority issue in the Pacific region. Regarding the IPPC Trust fund, Mr Dunne hoped that more countries would step up to assist in solving the IPPC resource problems.

During the visit, Mr Xia delivered a presentation on the development and perspectives of the IPPC to a number of MPI staff then later discussed phytosanitary issues of concern with individual MPI staff.