Side event on Trade and Facilitation and ePhyto organized CPM-12 in Incheon Republic of Korea

Over 100 participants attended the CPM-12 side session on ePhyto.

The Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA) adopted in 2014 commits countries to expediting the movement, release and clearance of goods, including plants and plant products and to reduce the trade transactional costs. A presentation by Theresa Morissey, World Bank provided NPPOs with a background on the TFA and the work of the Bank in assisting countries with its implementation. She informed that over 120 border management projects were around in the past 20 years.

Shane Sela, IPPC Secretariat ePhyto Project Manager, then provided a presentation on implementation of ePhyto and how it can assist countries in reducing border delays and how NPPOs can use this information in developing policies to support the implementation of systems for electronic certification nationally.

Countries welcomed the presentations and encouraged further regular updates. They also requested additional information on the steps necessary in preparing for implementation.