IPPC Standards Committee Reviewed the Task Force on Topics Recommendations for 2021 Call for Topics Submission

Rome, 4 November 2021. The Standards Committee (SC) of the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) met virtually on 3 and 4 November to review the Task Force on Topics (TFT) recommendations to the SC for submitted seven standards and seven diagnostic protocols (DPs) for 2021 Call for Topics: Standards and Implementation.

Following the call for topics process, the SC reviewed and agreed with the TFT recommendations on four proposed standards, including the first commodity-based standard for phytosanitary measures on the international movement of mango (Mangifera indica) fruit. It also provided recommendations to two other proposed standards. However, the SC had extensive discussions on the proposed standard for the Safe provision of food and other humanitarian aid, submitted by the Pacific Plant Protection Organization, since the TFT had not recommended it. To move forward with this topic, the SC created a working group consisting of six representatives, that together with the Implementation and Capacity Development Committee (IC) representatives, will draft a paper that presents ideas on how to proceed with this proposed topic and Terms of Reference for a CPM focus group. The SC also reviewed and agreed to add six DPs to the List of Topics for IPPC Standards.

In addition, the SC reviewed two nominations from the call for the Technical Panel for the Glossary (TPG) expert for the Russian language, selected Mr Konstantin GREBENNIKOV (EPPO), and requested the Secretariat to open a call for an expert on the Chinese language to join the TPG.

Finally, recent developments related to the ePhyto solution were presented to the SC.

The next SC meeting will be a regular one scheduled for 15–19 November 2021. The agenda will include the review of draft ISPMs for the recommendation for the Commission on Phytosanitary Measures for adoption (from the second consultation) and other standing agenda items.

The November SC focused meeting report will be available at: https://www.ippc.int/en/core-activities/standards-setting/standards-committee/