The Technical Panel on Diagnostic Protocols concludes its meeting in Yokohama

Yokohama, Japan 31 October 2024, The Technical Panel on Diagnostic Protocols (TPDP) met from 21-25 October 2024 in Yokohama, Japan, marking two decades of pioneering work in phytosanitary diagnostics. Hosted by Japan’s National Plant Protection Organization (NPPO); Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries (MAFF), The TPDP’s annual meeting brought together international experts in plant health to advance protocols essential for detecting regulated pests under the International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures (ISPM) 27.

Hidetoshi Komiya, Director of MAFF Japan’s Plant Protection Division, emphasized the event’s significance: “ISPM 27 and the adopted 33 annexes for diagnostics of specific regulated pests are of the utmost importance for NPPOs' work.” reinforcing international cooperation and advancing protocol recommendations for protecting global agriculture.

Notable Outcomes of the Meeting

The TPDP started by welcoming two new members and the recently assigned Standards Committee (SC) stewards. The TPDP reviewed and addressed substantial feedback from IPPC contracting parties and regional plant protection organizations on three diagnostic protocols (DPs) targeting high-priority pests. Revised protocols for Heterobasidion annosum sensu lato, Pospiviroid species, and Meloidogyne mali are set to be presented to the Standards Committee (SC) for recommendation for adoption in 2025.

In addition to these, the TPDP also examined five draft protocols, including Drosophila suzukii, Dickeya spp. on Solanum tuberosum, Bactrocera zonata and Bactrocera correcta, Cronartium comandrae Peck, and Tephritidae (targeting immature stages of fruit flies through molecular techniques). Expert consultations will commence in early 2025, with recommendations for SC approval anticipated by July.

Among the updates was a major revision of DP 5: Phyllosticta citricarpa. Following new research establishing P. citricarpa as synonymous with P. paracitricarpa, the TPDP decided to remove the protocol's pending status and to embark on a comprehensive update that will incorporate enhanced detection methods critical to the citriculture and trade sectors.

Selection of New Protocol Authors and Future Plans

The TPDP selected authors for three additional DPs: Oryctes rhinoceros, Halyomorpha halys, and Alopecurus myosuroides. This expanded author pool will drive forward the TPDP’s 2024-2025 work program, which includes a virtual meeting dedicated to updating the “Instructions to Authors” document to clarify guidelines for protocol development.

Reflecting on TPDP's progress, Adriana G. Moreira, IPPC Deputy Lead to the Standard Setting Unit, stated, “By standardizing protocols we ensure accurate diagnosis, and thus we can enhance early detection and rapid response capabilities, crucial for protecting agricultural systems worldwide.”

Pioneering Workshop on Agricultural Resilience

The TPDP concluded its meeting with a workshop, “Boosting Agricultural Resilience: Novel Plant Pest Diagnostic Techniques”, co-hosted with MAFF Japan. This first-ever IPPC Technical Panel workshop, featuring representatives from NPPOs and international plant health experts, facilitated brainstorming, collaboration, and knowledge exchange, focusing on innovative ideas to improve plant pest diagnostics.

Looking ahead, the TPDP’s next face-to-face meeting is scheduled for 21-25 July 2025 in Angers, France, where continued progress on protocols and new initiatives will further enhance global plant health resilience.