Boosting new collaboration between the IPPC Secretariat and the DG SANTE of the European Commission

Dr. Jingyuan Xia, the Secretary to the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC), at a meeting with representatives from the DG SANTE of the European Commission (EC) at EC-HQs in Brussels.

22 March 2019, Brussels - The IPPC/FAO delegation met with representatives from the DG SANTE of the European Commission (EC) as a follow-up to their meeting held in November 2018. The main objective of the meeting was to discuss ways to boost the new collaboration between the IPPC Secretariat and the DG SANTE of the EC.

During the meeting, the IPPC Secretary Xia expressed his sincere gratitude to the DG SANTE for its continuous and generous support to the IPPC s work programme in cooperation with the DG TRADE of the EC. He then presented IPPC project concept notes on commodity and pathway standards; and an emergency pest response system. He noted that the IPPC commodity and pathway standards are important for facilitating the safe trade of plants and plant products. He then stressed the crucial need to establish an IPPC emergency pest response system in particular for Fall Armyworm (FAW) and Citrus Huanglongbing (HLB). He pointed out that both projects are closely aligned with the IPPC Strategic Framework for 2020-2030.

He also gave updates on progress made in developing and implementing the IPPC ePhyto solutions; and on preparations for celebrating the International Year of Plant Health (IYPH) in 2020.

In response, Ms Dorothée André, Head of Unit from the DG-SANTE, expressed her appreciation to the IPPC Secretariat for the active and fruitful cooperation with the EC. She reiterated the DG-SANTE s strong interest in supporting the IPPC s work programme. She outlined four areas that will be financially supported by the DG-SANTE for a total investment of over EU 1 million:

i) IPPC commodity and pathway standards;

ii) the IPPC emergency pest response system with reference to FAW and HLB;

iii) the development, maintenance and operations of the IPPC ePhyto solution; and

iv) the celebration of the IYPH 2020.

Both sides agreed to meet again at the 14th session of the IPPC s Commission on Phytosanitary Measures (CPM-14) during the first week of April 2019. During the meeting, they will respond to the CPM s decisions on the above mentioned topics; and further discuss the projects and relevant activities.

The IPPC/FAO delegation consisted of Mr Jingyuan Xia, (IPPC Secretary), Mr. Rodrigo De Lapuerta (Director of FAOLOB) and Mr Marko Benovic (Budget and Planning Officer of the IPPC Secretariat). Representatives from DG SANTE included Ms Dorothée André (Head of Unit), Mr Philippe Loopuyt (Head of Unit), Mr Harry Arijs (Deputy Head of Unit), Mr Roman Vagner (Policy Officer) and Ms Maria Kammenou (Policy Officer).