Facilitating trade while protecting plants: The APPPC Regional Workshop

10 September 2018, Seoul, Republic of Korea - International standards on phytosanitary measures (ISPMs) help countries protect plants from pests and diseases, while still facilitating trade. Participants from eighteen countries had an opportunity to consult and comment on six draft ISPMs during the Asia and Pacific Plant Protection Commission (APPPC) Regional Workshop on the Review of Draft ISPMs.

The workshop took place from 10 to 14 September 2018 in Seoul. It was opened by Mr Suyon Roh, the Director-General of the Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency (APQA) of the Republic of Korea

Emerging pests can be managed through information exchange and cooperation between countries, remarked Mr Suyon Roh during his opening speech.

Topics of regional interest

Participants discussed topics of regional interest including:

• Commodity standards:

  • Participants received updates on the development of APPPC Regional standards for phytosanitary measures (RSPMs); Commodity phytosanitary standards for mango and chilli seed were presented at the workshop.
  • Participants worked with the APPPC Standards Committee members to produce materials for the Focus group on Commodity standards

• The movement of the Fall Armyworm in Southeast Asia and short term measures to prevent its spread.

• The International Seed Federation (ISF) presented their work on ISPM 38 on the International Movement of Seeds.
• Emerging pests: Participants provided a summary of the situation in their countries regarding emerging pests.

The workshop was organized by the APQA in coordination with the IPPC Secretariat.

The full report of the workshop can be found at: http://www.fao.org/asiapacific/events/detail-events/en/c/1517/