New standards adopted and key standards revised during the sixth session of the CPM; focus group to work on improving the standards setting process

Opening speeches at CPM-6

In addition to adopting four strategic objectives for 2012-2019, the Commission also adopted new International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures (ISPMs) and identified the need to improve the standards setting process.

Early in the meeting, the CPM adopted three new phytosanitary treatments and an appendix to ISPM 26 on fruit fly trapping.

Discussions in two evening sessions and in the margins of the meeting addressed the more than 600 comments received 14 days prior to the CPM on the revisions of ISPM 7 (Phytosanitary certification system) and ISPM 12 (Phytosanitary certificates), culminating in the adoption of these standards on Friday morning. This was considered to be a significant achievement but also called to question why there still remained so many urgent comments. In order to address this issue, the CPM called for a Focus Group to study ways to improve the standards setting process in an attempt not to have the CPM involved in the detailed drafting of standards. The Focus Group participants will include a representative from each of the FAO Regions including the SC Chair and a Bureau member as well as relevant invited experts with expertise in efficiency, organizational design and standards setting.

Given the Secretariat s limited resources and the significant amount of time that would be required to adopt the standards currently on the work plan, the CPM decided to cancel the previously scheduled biannual call for topics for 2011.