The IPPC Secretariat Updates the WTO/SPS Committee

On 18-19 October, 2011, the IPPC Secretariat reported to WTO/SPS Committee on the major developments related to the core activities of the IPPC, as well as on the activities of the CPM.

The purpose was to provide stakeholders the opportunity to take advantage of the information provided. Specifically, the report emphasised the period July-October 2011 and summarized the principal issues addressed during those four months. The highlights of the IPPC Secretariat''s report included:

The IPPC Standard Setting process has been reviewed for the third time and modifications have been recommended for CPM consideration in 2012

Thanking those countries that contributed to the IPPC budget for 2011 and 2012 (there is still a reduced shortfall in budget for 2012) but identified a need for significant additional extra-budgetary resources for the 2013 work programme

The Capacity Development programme has been very active and seen significant developments in services and material available for countries

The Implementation Review and Support System (IRSS) programme is been expanded and funding has been secured to complete the first 3 year cycle of this programme and

A new IPPC Strategic Framework has been developed for 2012-2019, that will be considered by CPM 7 in 2012, which provides the objectives and indicators for the next 8 year cycle.

A full report on the 2011 activities will be presented to CPM 7 from 19-23 March 2012. Papers for this meeting should become available for this meeting from January 2012.

The IPPC Secretariat''s report is available in English, French and Spanish at spsims.wto.org/web/pages/search/other/Search.aspx as G/SPS/GEN/1123.

For more details on the SPS Committee, visit the SPS Committee website: www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/sps_e/sps_e.htm