The IPPC community mourns the passing of Richard James Ivess

Richard James Ivess, former Coordinator of the IPPC Secretariat, passed away after a long period of illness on Wednesday, 16 October 2019. Richard was a well-known and respected expert and negotiator working on international plant biosecurity. During his many years as Director of Plant Biosecurity and Chief Plants Officer in the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry of New Zealand, Richard was involved in many international phytosanitary negotiations. In his time at the IPPC Secretariat, he successfully negotiated all activities of the secretariat and was a respected and well-regarded leader. His friendly and humorous disposition earned him respect and friendship from around the world. The thoughts of members of the IPPC Secretariat, the Commission on Phytosanitary Measures and of colleagues from around the world go to his wife, his children and grandchildren who lost a loving husband, father and an adoring grandfather. Richard was 72 years old.

A more detailed obituary will be published on this site soon.