The IPPC Standards Committee approves four draft standards for first consultation!

The IPPC Standards Committee (SC), with 27 participants representing all seven FAO regions and led by their Chairperson, Mr Ezequiel FERRO (Argentina) met on 14-18 May 2018 in Rome for yet another intense and productive week.

The SC reviewed four standards drafted by different expert groups in 2017 and approved all drafts for submission to the first consultation period (1 July - 30 September 2018, through the Online Comment System):

1. Revision of ISPM 8: Determination of pest status in an area (2009-005). Pest records are used to determine the presence or absence of a pest in an area and this standard describes what information is used to make such determination. The revision addresses the quality of information to be used in determination of the pest status and provides clarification and harmonization with other related standards.

2. Authorization of entities to perform phytosanitary actions (2014-002). This standard will provide a framework that enables NPPOs to develop and implement a programme for the authorization of entities to perform specific phytosanitary actions such as inspection, testing or surveillance. This is becoming common practice in countries throughout the world to enhance cost-effectiveness and efficiency. The need for international harmonization when considering, developing and implementing authorization programmes has led to the development of this standard.

3. Requirements for the use of modified atmosphere treatments as a phytosanitary measure (2014-006). This standard will provide technical guidance to NPPOs on the specific procedures for the application of modified atmosphere treatments as phytosanitary measures for regulated pests or articles. The standard aims to enhance harmonization of such measures in different countries.

4. Draft 2018 Amendments to ISPM 5 Glossary of Phytosanitary terms (1994-001). The Glossary is regularly revised to ensure the best common understanding of phytosanitary terms.

The draft specification on a Supplement on Guidance on the concept of the likelihood of establishment component of a pest risk analysis for quarantine pests (2015-010) to ISPM 11 (Pest risk analysis for quarantine pests) was discussed and, once revised, the SC will decide on its approval via an online forum.

The SC also considered issues requested by the Commission on Phytosanitary Measures (CPM-13) at their 2018 meeting , including the focus group that will be established to deal with the development of commodity and pathway specific ISPMs, and the Strategic framework for 2020-2030.

Fruitful discussions and brainstorming side sessions were held during the week regarding future interactions between the SC and the Implementation and Capacity Development Committee (IC) and a number of areas for potential collaboration between the two committees were identified. The SC approved the 2018 work plan of the five technical panels, whose work is key to the development of standards. The SC added 24 new phytosanitary treatments to the work programme of the Technical panel on Phytosanitary Treatments. These were submitted for consideration in 2017 by contracting parties of the IPPC.

The SC report will soon be publicly available here: https://www.ippc.int/en/core-activities/standards-setting/standards-committee/