SC 2013 November meeting: Approval of Grain specification for MC and the recommendation of draft standard on ePhyto - Appendix to ISPM 12 to CPM-9 2014)

The Standards Committee (SC) met on 18-22 November 2013 at FAO headquarters in Rome, Italy. Adhering to its responsibility to oversee the IPPC Standard Setting Process and manage the development of International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures (ISPMs), the SC discussed, reviewed, and approved draft ISPMs for the Commission on Phytosanitary Measures (CPM). These include the ePhyto - Appendix to ISPM 12, Fruit Fly Host Status and Fruit Fly Quarantine Areas draft standards.

As agreed by CPM-8 (2013), the draft ISPM on International movement of grain is moving forward through the draft standards process and strategic experts were invited to provide strategic inputs and guidance on this topic. As a result of a parallel meeting on strategic issues for the draft ISPM on grain (18-20 November), the SC approved the draft specification for member consultation. Also the SC has approved the draft specification on the Revision of ISPM 6:1997 - Guidelines for Surveillance.

The SC members successfully approved the 3 draft specifications for the development of ISPMs by expert working groups (EWGs) on Wood products and handicrafts made from raw wood, Revision of ISPM 4 - Requirements for the establishment of pest free areas, and the Revision of ISPM 8 - Determination of pest status in an area.

Toward the end of the meeting the SC reviewed and discussed the 34 topics submitted during the 2013 call for topics and completed the recommendations to CPM. These will cover new topics to be added to the List of topics for IPPC Standards. The report of the SC Meeting will be available on the IPP shortly. To access the meeting report, please click at https://www.ippc.int/core-activities/standards-setting/standards-committee.