REPORT OF THE INTERIM COMMISSION ON PHYTOSANITARY MEASURES. Rome, 3-6 November 1998

Transcription

1 REPORT OF THE INTERIM COMMISSION ON PHYTOSANITARY MEASURES Rome, 3-6 November 1998 FOOD AND AGRICULTURE ORGANIZATION OF THE UNITED NATIONS Rome, 1998

2 CONTENTS Report of the Interim Commission on Phytosanitary Measures Appendix I Agenda Appendix II Rules of Procedure Appendix III International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures: Determination of Pest Status in an Area Appendix IV International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures: Guidelines for Pest Eradication Programmes Appendix V Contracting Parties to the IPPC Indicating Dates of Adherence Appendix VI ICPM Informal Working Groups Appendix VII List of Delegates and Observers

3 1 INTERIM COMMISSION ON PHYTOSANITARY MEASURES Rome, 3-6 November 1998 REPORT Opening of the Meeting 1. Mr. Sawadogo, Assistant Director-General, Agriculture Department, opened the meeting and chaired it until a Chairperson was agreed upon. Opening Statement 2. Mr. Sawadogo characterized the meeting as an historic moment for international plant protection and the beginning of a new era for the IPPC. He highlighted the history of the IPPC and the strong support that FAO had provided for its implementation as well as its evolution. In particular, he noted the changes that had occurred in the past decade in response to globalization and the liberalization of trade. He emphasized that the IPPC had assumed a critical role as the international standard setting body for phytosanitary measures referred to by the Agreement on the Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures of the WTO. 3. Mr. Sawadogo acknowledged the importance of the IPPC to food security as well as economic security. He noted the importance of the Commission in decision-making that affects these important objectives for both developed and developing countries. He restated FAO s commitment to support the IPPC in cooperation with the Interim Commission as the Members continue the important work ahead. Approval of the Agenda 4. The meeting agreed that Mr. Mike Holtzhausen (South Africa), the Chairperson of the Technical Consultation on the Revision of the IPPC and subsequent negotiation sessions, would chair the meeting until the Rules of Procedure were provisionally adopted and a new Bureau was elected using the provisionally adopted Rules of Procedure. It was agreed by the meeting that points 3 and 4 of the agenda be reversed. The adopted agenda is attached as Appendix I.

4 2 Rules of Procedure 5. The Interim Commission provisionally adopted the Rules of Procedure as reproduced in Appendix II, pending the finalization, analysis and inclusion of an Annex concerning standard setting procedures at its second meeting. 6. The European Community and its Member States requested that the location of Rule X para 2 be reconsidered with a view to including it in the Annex or maintaining it in the text of the Rules of Procedure. Election of the Chairperson, Vice Chairpersons and Rapporteur 7. The Meeting elected Mr. John Hedley (New Zealand) as Chairperson and Mr. Orlando Morales (Chile) and Mr. Radhey Shyam (India) as Vice Chairpersons. Mr. Mike Holtzhausen (South Africa) was elected as Rapporteur. Adoption of International Standards 8. Determination of Pest Status in an Area: The Interim Commission considered the text of the proposed standard Determination of Pest Status in an Area. Amendments were suggested that were subsequently referred to an open-ended working group. The proposed standard, as amended by the working group, was endorsed by the Interim Commission and is attached as Appendix III. It was noted that definitions for the terms official, official control, prevalence and transience should be considered by the next meeting of the working group on the Glossary of Phytosanitary Terms (Glossary Group). 9. Guidelines for Pest Eradication Programmes: The Interim Commission considered the text of the proposed standard Guidelines for Pest Eradication Programmes. Amendments were suggested that were subsequently referred to an open-ended working group. The proposed standard, as amended by the working group, was endorsed by the Interim Commission and is attached as Appendix IV. It was noted that the use of the term exclusion in the standard was based on common usage, but that a definition for the term should be considered by the next meeting of the Glossary Group. Standard Setting Procedures 10. The Interim Commission recalled that the Standard Setting Procedure and the Committee of Experts on Phytosanitary Measures (CEPM) were established by the FAO Conference in 1993 and amended in It also recalled that the Twenty-ninth Session of the FAO Conference in Resolution 12/97 had agreed that the present Standard Setting Procedure shall continue until the amendments (of the IPPC) come into force or until the Interim Commission decides otherwise, except that Phytosanitary Standards will be considered and adopted by the Interim Commission instead of by the Committee on Agriculture, Council and/or the Conference.

5 3 11. Some members wished to extend the period of government consultation. Some members indicated that membership of the CEPM did not reflect regional balance and should be improved. It was also stated that a larger number of experts should be involved at the early stages of standard development. A number of members supported the establishment of a Standards Committee. 12. The Interim Commission recognized that there were a number of options to be considered. It agreed that the present system be continued, while a study on options be made and a report prepared to be provided to members at least four months before the next meeting of the ICPM. It established a working group which, with the support of the Secretariat, would prepare a report and make recommendations to the Interim Commission (membership and Terms of Reference indicated in Appendix VI). Work Programme for Harmonization 13. Status of International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures: The Interim Commission considered the work programme and the priorities as recommended by the Ninth Technical Consultation among Regional Plant Protection Organizations in The Commission identified the following criteria for the establishment of priorities: - level of trade affected by non-existence of a particular standard; - frequency with which a particular issue emerges as a repeated source of trade disruption; - feasibility of applying an international standard at a global level; - feasibility of developing and implementing the ISPM within a reasonable time schedule; - stage of development of the international standard; - relevance and utility to developing countries; - emergency need for the international standard; - relevance and value to the total framework of standards; - availability of expertise needed to develop the proposed international standard; and - availability of external resources to support preparation of a standard. 14. Concerning future priority setting, the Interim Commission recommended that the Secretariat request Members and RPPOs to indicate their priorities for International Standards taking into consideration the above criteria. The Secretariat was requested to provide an analytical report comprising the results of this survey to the next session of the Interim Commission. The Commission would then establish, early in the session, a Committee which, based on the report of the Secretariat, would make a recommendation to the Interim Commission in the form of a proposed work programme, for review and eventual approval by the Interim Commission.

6 4 15. With regard to the international standards listed in document ICPM/98/5 under item 9 the Interim Commission recommended the following prioritization of the work of the Secretariat during the next year: The Secretariat should focus on specific standards where work has already begun. Those items where work has not yet been started should be excluded from the Secretariat s work programme for the immediate year ahead, unless there are remaining resources. The Interim Commission also recommended that the Secretariat put aside, for the present time, certain proposals for standards or rules, including dispute settlement, procedures for preparation of a standard, procedures for post-entry quarantine and quarantine nomenclature for plants and plant products. These items were viewed by the Interim Commission as requiring further evaluation in terms of the importance given to other urgent international standard initiatives identified in document ICPM 98/ Information Sharing: The Interim Commission took note of the plans outlined by the Secretariat for information exchange and emphasized in particular its importance for developing countries. 17. Technical Assistance: s of developing countries emphasized the difficulty in establishing the regulatory framework and infrastructure necessary to meet the phytosanitary requirements in relation to international trade. They stressed in particular the need for technical assistance and assistance with the establishment of infrastructures, documentation and access to electronic information. The majority of Members noted with concern the restriction on the Secretariat s ability to support such activities due to budgetary constraints. They noted the need for coordination of assistance and the role of FAO and Regional Organizations in such coordination. The Interim Commission therefore recommended an adequate flow of funds for technical assistance to developing countries to meet the phytosanitary requirements of importing countries and allow them to participate on an equal basis in world trade. Status of the IPPC 18. Acceptance of the New Revised Text: The Interim Commission noted that only one acceptance (Barbados) had been received to date while a second was unofficially received. Furthermore, one country had submitted its instrument of adherence to the Commission bringing the total of contracting parties to 107. A list of contracting parties is given in Appendix V. The Interim Commission called on all Contracting Parties to deposit the instrument of acceptance for the revised IPPC as quickly as possible. 19. Implementation of Interim Measures: The Interim Commission noted that progress had been made on the implementation of interim measures. One of these was the establishment of the Interim Commission itself. Approximately forty countries had appointed official contact points. The work on the establishment of standards for Regulated Non-Quarantine Pests had started. Members were asked to report on the voluntary use of the amended phytosanitary certificate. From the replies, it was concluded that this was not yet in use.

7 5 20. Phytosanitary certification statement: The Interim Commission considered the issue of the phytosanitary certification statement. It recalled the interpretation as agreed by the Committee on Agriculture in its Fourteenth Session indicating the interim nature of the certifying statement of the phytosanitary certificate. The Interim Commission noted that changes in the phytosanitary certification statement could not be included in the annex to the new revised text of the IPPC, unless approved by FAO Conference or the Commission on Phytosanitary Measures when the new revised text comes into force. It was agreed that it would be undesirable to propose changes at this time. Concerns remained on the interpretation of considered to be free, considered to be practically free and utilization of the optional clause. The Interim Commission recommended that the Secretariat give priority to the further development of the standard on Guidelines for Phytosanitary Certificates. The Interim Commission recommended that governments adopt the new certificate on a voluntary basis to gain experience as soon as possible. Other Business 21. The Interim Commission took note of the summary provided by the Secretariat on the Expert Consultation on the Strength of Measures for Regulated Pests which have a Minor Biological Impact. The Interim Commission requested that the report of the expert consultation be reconsidered at the next session of the Interim Commission. 22. The Interim Commission took note of the scheduled revision of the Plant Protection Agreement for Asia and the Pacific. 23. The Interim Commission noted that Resolution 12/97 of the FAO Conference urged that high priority be given to pest reporting and the importance of establishing relevant procedures. Time had not been available for the Interim Commission to pursue the issue of pest reporting at this session. It agreed that this item would be included in the agenda of the Second Session. The Secretariat was requested to prepare a report and recommendations for Pest Reporting under the terms of the Convention, including the role the Secretariat should play in this process. 24. The Interim Commission recognized the importance of the establishment of appropriate measures for the implementation of Article XIII of the new revised text of the IPPC. To this end, the Interim Commission established an informal working group which, with the support of the Secretariat, would prepare a report and make recommendations to the Interim Commission (membership and Terms of Reference indicated in Appendix VI). 25. Agenda for the next meeting: The Interim Commission identified the following items for the Agenda of the second session: - Rules of procedure: adoption of an annex containing the standard setting procedures; - Adoption of additional international standards; - Work programme, including priority setting; - Consideration of the provision of reports on the occurrence, outbreak and spread of pests; - Status of the IPPC; - Dispute settlement;

8 6 - Expert consultation on the strength of measures; - Report on the activities of the Secretariat. Date and place of the next meeting 26. The Interim Commission recommended that its second meeting be held from 4-8 October 1999 at FAO Headquarters.

9 APPENDIX I INTERIM COMMISSION ON PHYTOSANITARY MEASURES Rome, 3-6 November 1998 AGENDA 1. Opening of the Session 2. Adoption of the Agenda 3. Rules of Procedure 4. Election of the Chairperson, Vice-Chairpersons and Rapporteur 5. Adoption of Standards Determination of Pest Status in an Area Guidelines for Pest Eradication Programmes 6. Standard Setting Procedures 7. Work Programme for Harmonization 8. Status of the IPPC 9. Other business Acceptance of the New Revised Text Implementation of interim measures 10. Date and Venue of the Next Meeting 11. Adoption of the report 7

10 RULES OF PROCEDURE APPENDIX II E Rule I Membership 1. Membership in the Interim Commission is open to all Members of the Organization and to such non-member States as are Contracting Parties to the International Plant Protection Convention. 2. Membership shall comprise such eligible FAO Members and other States as have notified the Director-General of the Organization of their desire to be considered as Members. 3. Each Member of the Interim Commission shall communicate to the Director-General of the Organization the name of its representative and, where possible, that of other Members of its delegation, before the opening of each session of the Interim Commission. Rule II Officers 1. The Interim Commission shall elect a Chairperson and not more than two Vice- Chairpersons (hereinafter collectively referred to as the Bureau ), and a rapporteur, from among the representatives, alternates, experts and advisers (hereinafter referred to as delegates ) of the Members of the Interim Commission; it being understood that no delegate shall be eligible without the concurrence of the head of the delegate s delegation. 2. The Bureau shall be elected at the end of a regular session and shall hold office for a term of two years. 3. The Chairperson, or in the absence of the Chairperson another member of the Bureau, shall preside at all meetings of the Interim Commission and shall exercise such other functions as may be required to facilitate the work of the Interim Commission. A Vice-Chairperson acting as Chairperson shall have the same powers and duties as the Chairperson. Rule III Secretary 1. The Director General of the Organization shall appoint a Secretary who shall perform such duties as the work of the Interim Commission may require.

11 APPENDIX II 2. The Secretary shall be responsible for implementing the activities assigned to the Secretary in accordance with the policies of the Interim Commission. The Secretary shall report to the Interim Commission on the activities assigned to the Secretary. Rule IV Sessions 1. The Interim Commission shall in principle hold one regular session each year. Special sessions shall be held as considered necessary by the Interim Commission or at the written request of at least one third of the Members of the Interim Commission. 2. Sessions of the Interim Commission shall be convened by the Chairperson of the Interim Commission, after consultation with the Director-General of the Organization. 3. Notice of the date and place of each session of the Interim Commission shall be communicated to all Members of the Interim Commission at least two months before the session. 4. Each Member of the Interim Commission shall have one representative, who may be accompanied by one or more alternates, experts and advisers. An alternate, expert or adviser shall not have the right to vote except when substituting for the representative. 5. Meetings of the Interim Commission shall be held in public unless the Interim Commission decides otherwise. 6. A majority of the Members of the Interim Commission shall constitute a quorum. Rule V Agenda and documents 1. The Director-General, in consultation with the Chairperson of the Interim Commission, shall prepare a provisional agenda. 2. The first item on the provisional agenda shall be the adoption of the Agenda. 3. Any Member of the Interim Commission may request the Director-General of the Organization to include specific items in the Provisional Agenda. 4. The Provisional Agenda shall normally be circulated by the Director-General of the Organization at least two months in advance of the session to all Members of the Interim Commission and to other Members and Associate Members of the Organization and non-member 9

12 APPENDIX II States eligible to become Members of the Interim Commission and to all international organizations invited to attend the session. 5. Any Member of the Interim Commission, and the Director-General of the Organization, may, after the despatch of the Provisional Agenda, propose the inclusion of specific items on the Agenda with respect to matters of an urgent nature. These items should be placed on a supplementary list, which, if time permits before the opening of the session, shall be despatched by the Director-General of the Organization to all Members of the Interim Commission, failing which the supplementary list shall be communicated to the Chairperson for submission to the Interim Commission. 6. After the Agenda has been adopted, the Interim Commission may, by a two-thirds majority of the members of the Interim Commission present and voting, amend the Agenda by the deletion, addition or modification of any item. No matter referred to the Interim Commission by the Conference or Council of the Organization may be omitted from the Agenda. 7. Documents to be submitted to the Interim Commission at any Session shall be furnished by the Director-General of the Organization to the Members of the Interim Commission, the other Members and Associate Members of the Organization attending the Session, to any nonmember State eligible to become a member of the Interim Commission and to international organizations invited to the Session, at the time the Agenda is despatched or as soon as possible thereafter. 8. Formal proposals relating to items on the Agenda and amendments thereto introduced during a session of the Interim Commission shall be made in writing and handed to the Chairperson, who shall arrange for copies to be circulated to all representatives of Members of the Interim Commission. 10

13 APPENDIX II Rule VI Voting procedures 1. Subject to the provisions of Article II.10 of the Constitution of the Organization, each Member of the Interim Commission shall have one vote. 2. The Interim Commission shall make every effort to reach agreement on all matters by consensus. If all efforts to reach consensus have been exhausted and no agreement has been reached, the decision shall, as the last resort be taken by a two-thirds majority of the Members of the Interim Commission present and voting. 3. For the purpose of these Rules, the phrase Members present and voting means Members casting an affirmative or negative vote. Members who abstain from voting or cast a defective ballot are considered as not voting. 4. Upon the request of any Member of the Interim Commission, voting shall be by roll-call vote, in which case the vote of each member shall be recorded. 5. When the Interim Commission so decides, voting shall be by secret ballot. 6. The provisions of Rule XII of the General Rules of the Organization shall apply mutatis mutandis to all matters not specifically dealt with under this Rule. Rule VII Observers 1. Any Member or Associate Member of the Organization, or non-member State referred to in Rule I.1, that is not a Member of the Interim Commission but which has a special interest in the work of the Interim Commission, may, upon request communicated to the Director-General of the Organization, attend sessions of the Interim Commission, its subsidiary bodies, as an observer. It may submit memoranda and participate in discussions without a vote. 2. States that are not Members of the Interim Commission or Members or Associate Members of the Organization, but which are Members of the United Nations, any of its Specialized Agencies or the International Atomic Energy Agency, may, upon their request and subject to the provisions relating to the granting of observer status to nations adopted by the Conference of the Organization, be invited to attend, in an observer capacity, sessions of the Interim Commission or of its subsidiary bodies. The status of nations invited to such sessions shall be governed by the relevant provisions adopted by the Conference of the Organization. 11

14 APPENDIX II 3. Subject to the provisions of paragraph 4 of this Rule, the Director-General of the Organization, taking into account guidance given by the Interim Commission, may invite international organizations to attend sessions of the Interim Commission in an observer capacity. s of regional plant protection organizations shall be invited to attend all sessions of the Interim Commission as observers. 4. Participation of international organizations in the work of the Interim Commission and the relations between the Interim Commission and such organizations shall be governed by the relevant provisions of the Constitution of the Organization and the General Rules of the Organization, as well as by other provisions of the Basic Texts of the Organization dealing with relations with international organizations. All such relations shall be dealt with by the Director- General of the Organization, taking into account guidance given by the Interim Commission. Rule VIII Records and Reports 1. At each session, the Interim Commission shall approve a report embodying its views, recommendations and conclusions, including, when requested, a statement of minority views. Such other records, for its own use, as the Interim Commission may on occasion decide, shall also be maintained. 2. The report of the Interim Commission shall be transmitted at the close of each session to the Director-General of the Organization who shall circulate it to all Members of the Interim Commission, to other nations and international organizations that were represented at the Session, for their information, and, upon request, to other Members and Associate Members of the Organization. 3. Recommendations of the Interim Commission having policy, programme or financial implications for the Organization shall be brought by the Director-General of the Organization to the attention of the Conference or Council of the Organization for appropriate action. 4. Subject to the provisions of the preceding paragraph the Director-General of the Organization may request Members of the Interim Commission to supply the Interim Commission with information on action taken on the basis of recommendations made by the Interim Commission. Rule IX Subsidiary Bodies 1. The Interim Commission may establish such subsidiary bodies as it deems necessary for the accomplishment of its functions. 2. Membership in these subsidiary bodies shall comprise such Members of the Interim Commission as have notified the Director-General of the Organization of their desire to be 12

15 APPENDIX II considered as members of the subsidiary bodies, or shall consist of selected Members of the Interim Commission, as determined by the Interim Commission itself, or of individuals appointed in their personal capacity. 3. The representatives of subsidiary bodies shall, insofar as possible, serve in a continuing capacity and be specialists in the fields of activity of the respective subsidiary bodies. 4. The terms of reference and procedures of the subsidiary bodies shall be determined by the Interim Commission. 5. The establishment of subsidiary bodies shall be subject to the availability of the necessary funds in the relevant chapter of the approved budget of the Organization. Before taking any decision involving expenditure in connection with the establishment of subsidiary bodies, the Interim Commission shall have before it a report from the Director-General on the administrative and financial implications thereof. 6. Each subsidiary body shall elect its own officers, unless appointed by the Interim Commission. Rule X Development and Adoption of International Standards 1. The procedures for the development and adoption of international standards are set out in the Annex to these Rules and shall form an integral part thereof. 2. Notwithstanding the provisions of Rule VI.2, where consensus is not reached on a proposal for the adoption of a standard which has been introduced before the Interim Commission for the first time, the proposed standard shall, unless the Interim Commission otherwise decides, be referred back to the appropriate body of the Interim Commission, together with its comments thereon, for further consideration. Rule XI Expenses 1. Expenses incurred by representatives of Members of the Interim Commission and by their alternates and their advisers, when attending sessions of the Interim Commission or subsidiary bodies, as well as the expenses incurred by observers at sessions, shall be borne by their respective governments or organizations. Should experts be invited by the Director-General of the Organization to attend sessions of the Interim Commission and its subsidiary bodies in their individual capacity, their expenses, unless otherwise determined by the Interim Commission, shall be borne by the Organization. 13

16 APPENDIX II 2. Any financial operations of the Interim Commission and its subsidiary bodies shall be governed by the appropriate provisions of the Financial Regulations of the Organization. Rule XII Languages 1. The languages of the Interim Commission shall be the official languages of the Organization. 2. Any representative using a language other than one of the languages of the Interim Commission shall provide for interpretation into one of the languages of the Interim Commission. Rule XIII Amendment and Suspension of the Rules 1. Amendment of or additions to these Rules may be adopted by a two-thirds majority of the Members of the Interim Commission present and voting, provided that not less than 24 hours notice of the proposal for the amendment or the addition has been given. 2. Any of the above Rules of the Interim Commission, other than Rule I.1, Rule III.1, Rule IV.2 and 6, Rule V.6, Rule VI.1 and 2, Rule VII, Rule VIII.3 and 4, Rule IX.4 and 5, Rule XI, Rule XIII.1 and Rule XIV may be suspended by a two thirds majority of the members of the Interim Commission present and voting, provided that not less than 24 hours notice of the proposal for suspension has been given. Such notice may be waived if no representative of the Members of the Interim Commission objects. Rule XIV Entry into Force These Rules and any amendments or additions thereto shall come into force upon approval by the Director-General of the Organization. ANNEX To be completed, 14

17 APPENDIX III INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS FOR PHYTOSANITARY MEASURES DETERMINATION OF PEST STATUS IN AN AREA Secretariat of the International Plant Protection Convention Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations Rome, 1998

18 APPENDIX III CONTENTS INTRODUCTION SCOPE REFERENCES DEFINITIONS AND ABBREVIATIONS OUTLINE OF REQUIREMENTS GENERAL REQUIREMENTS FOR DETERMINATION OF PEST STATUS 1. Purposes of Pest Status Determination 2. Pest Records 2.1 Pest record 2.2 Reliability Table. Guidance for Evaluating the Reliability of a Pest Record 3. Pest Status in an Area 3.1 Describing pest status in area Presence Absence Transience 3.2 Determination of pest status in an area 4. Recommended Reporting Practices Appendix. Useful References 1

19 APPENDIX III INTRODUCTION SCOPE This standard describes the content of a pest record, and the use of pest records and other information in the determination of pest status in an area. Descriptions of pest status categories are provided as well as recommendations for good reporting practices. REFERENCES Glossary of phytosanitary terms, ISPM Pub. No. 5, FAO, Rome. Guidelines for pest eradication programmes, FAO, Rome (in consultation). Guidelines for pest risk analysis, ISPM Pub. No. 2, FAO, Rome. Guidelines for surveillance, ISPM Pub. No. 6, FAO, Rome. Requirements for the establishment of pest free areas, ISPM Pub. No.4, FAO, Rome. International Plant Protection Convention, FAO, Rome. New Revised Text of the International Plant Protection Convention, FAO, Rome. Principles of plant quarantine as related to international trade, ISPM Pub. No. 1, FAO, Rome. DEFINITIONS AND ABBREVIATIONS Area An officially defined country, part of a country or all or parts of several countries. Delimiting survey Survey conducted to establish the boundaries of an area considered to be infested by or free from a pest. Detection survey Survey conducted in an area to determine if pests are present. Establishment Perpetuation, for the foreseeable future, of a pest within an area after entry. 1

20 Interception (of a pest) APPENDIX III The detection of a pest during inspection of an imported consignment. IPPC The International Plant Protection Convention, a multilateral treaty for cooperation in plant protection, approved and deposited in 1951 with FAO in Rome, having come into force in 1952 and amended in 1979 (the Revised Text) and 1997 (the New Revised Text). Determination of pest status in an area / Draft standard / May

21 Monitoring survey APPENDIX III Ongoing survey to verify the characteristics of a pest population. National Plant Protection Organization (NPPO) Official service established by a government to discharge the functions specified by the IPPC. Occurrence The presence in an area of a pest officially reported to be indigenous or introduced and/or not officially reported to have been eradicated. Official Established, authorized or performed by a National Plant Protection Organization. Outbreak An isolated pest population, recently detected and expected to survive for the immediate future. Pest Any species, strain or biotype of plant, animal, or pathogenic agent, injurious to plants or plant products. Pest free area (PFA) An area in which a specific pest does not occur as demonstrated by scientific evidence and in which, where appropriate, this condition is being officially maintained. Pest record A document providing information concerning the presence or absence of a specific pest at a particular location at a certain time, within an area (usually a country) under described circumstances. Pest status (in an area) Presence or absence, at the present time, of a pest in an area, including where appropriate its distribution as officially determined using expert judgement on the basis of current and historical pest records and other information. Phytosanitary measure Any legislation, regulation or official procedure having the purpose to prevent the introduction and/or spread of pests. Determination of pest status in an area / Draft standard / May

22 APPENDIX III Phytosanitary regulation Official rule to prevent the introduction and/or spread of quarantine pests, by regulating the production, movement or existence of commodities or other articles, or the normal activity of persons, and by establishing schemes for phytosanitary certification. Determination of pest status in an area / Draft standard / May

23 Quarantine pest APPENDIX III A pest of potential economic importance to the area endangered thereby and not yet present there, or present but not widely distributed and being officially controlled. Regional Plant Protection Organization (RPPO) Intergovernmental organization with the functions laid down by Article IX of the IPPC. Regulated pest Surveillance Survey A quarantine pest or a regulated non-quarantine pest. An official process which collects and records data on pest occurrence or absence by survey, monitoring or other procedures. An official procedure conducted over a defined period of time to determine the characteristics of a pest population or to determine which species occur in an area. Transience Presence of a pest that is not expected to lead to establishment. Determination of pest status in an area / Draft standard / May

24 APPENDIX III OUTLINE OF REQUIREMENTS Pest records are essential components of the information used to establish the status of a pest in an area. All importing and exporting countries need information concerning the status of pests for risk analyses, the establishment of and compliance with import regulations, and the establishment and maintenance of pest free areas. A pest record provides information concerning the presence or absence of a pest, the time and location of the observations, host(s) where appropriate, the damage observed, as well as references or other relevant information pertaining to a single observation. The reliability of pest records is based on consideration of the data in regard to the collector/identifier, the means of technical identification, the location and date of the record, and the recording/publication of the record. The determination of pest status requires expert judgement concerning the information available on the present-day occurrence of a pest in an area. Pest status is determined using information from individual pest records, pest records from surveys, data on pest absence, findings of general surveillance, and scientific publications and databases. Pest status is outlined in this standard in terms of three categories incorporating various final determinations: - presence of the pest - leading to determinations such as present in all parts of the country, present in some areas only, etc. - absence of the pest - leading to determinations such as no pest records, pest eradicated, pest no longer present, etc. - transience of the pest - leading to determinations such as non-actionable, actionable, under surveillance, and actionable, under eradication. To facilitate international cooperation among contracting parties in meeting their obligations in reporting the occurrence, outbreak or spread of pests, the National Plant Protection Organizations (NPPOs), or other organizations or persons involved in recording the presence, absence, or transience of pests, should follow good reporting practices. These practices concern the use of accurate, reliable data for pest records, the sharing of pest status information in a timely manner, respecting the legitimate interests of all parties concerned, and taking into account the pest status determinations in this standard. Determination of pest status in an area / Draft standard / May

25 APPENDIX III GENERAL REQUIREMENTS FOR DETERMINATION OF PEST STATUS 1. Purposes of Pest Status Determination A pest record is documented evidence 1 that indicates the presence or absence of a specific pest at a particular location and certain time, within an area, usually a country, under described circumstances. Pest records are used in conjunction with other information for the determination of the status of the given pest in the area. In general, the provision of reliable pest records and the determination of pest status are vital components of a number of activities covered under the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) and by the principles noted in the ISPM: Principles of plant quarantine as related to international trade, and the international standards for phytosanitary measures that have been developed from them. Importing countries need pest status information to: - conduct a pest risk analysis (PRA) on a pest in another country - establish phytosanitary regulations to prevent the entry, establishment or spread of a pest - conduct a PRA on a non-quarantine pest in their own territory with a view to regulating it. Exporting countries need pest status information to: - comply with import regulations by not exporting consignments infested with the regulated pests of the importing country - meet requests for information from other countries for the purpose of PRA on pests in their territory. All countries may use pest status information for: - PRA purposes - planning national, regional or international pest management programmes 1 Including electronic documentation Determination of pest status in an area / 8 Draft standard / May 1998

26 APPENDIX III - establishing national pest lists - establishing and maintaining pest free areas. Information on the status of a pest in areas, countries and regions may be used to establish the global distribution of a pest. Determination of pest status in an area / Draft standard / May

27 APPENDIX III 2. Pest Records 2.1 Pest record The ISPM: Guidelines for surveillance describes the elements of information from general surveillance and specific surveys that may be included in a pest record. The basic information needed in a pest record includes the following: - current scientific name of the organism including, as appropriate, subspecific terms (strain, biotype, etc.) - life stage or state - taxonomic group - identification method - year, and month if known, recorded. Normally the day will only be required for specific circumstances (e.g. the first detection of a particular pest, pest monitoring) - locality, e.g. location codes, addresses, geographical coordinates. Important conditions such as if under protected cultivation (e.g. greenhouses) should be indicated - scientific name of host, as appropriate - host damage, or circumstances of collection (e.g. trap or soil sample), as appropriate - prevalence, indication of the level of pest presence or pest numbers - bibliographical references, if any. A list of references is noted in the Appendix to this standard for consultation in the preparation of a pest record. 2.2 Reliability Pest record information is available from many sources and has varying levels of reliability. Some key components are identified in the following Table. Although the Table ranks the categories in descending order of relative reliability, it must be recognized that these are not rigid and are only designed to provide guidance in evaluating the record. In particular, it should be noted that pests differ in the level of expertise needed for their identification. NPPOs have responsibility to provide accurate information on pest records upon request. Determination of pest status in an area / 10 Draft standard / May 1998

28 Table. Guidance for Evaluating the Reliability of a Pest Record (Sources listed from most reliable to least reliable). APPENDIX III 1. Collectors / Identifiers 2. Technical identification 3. Location and date 4. Recording / Publication a. Taxonomic specialist a. Discriminating biochemical or molecular diagnosis (if available) a. Delimiting or detection surveys a. NPPO record/rppo publication (where refereed) b. Professional specialist, diagnostician b. Specimen or culture maintained in official collection, taxonomic description by specialist b. Other field or production surveys b. Scientific or technical journal refereed c. Scientist c. Specimen in general collection c. Casual or incidental field observation, possibly with no defined location/date c. Official historical record d. Technician d. Description and photo d. Observation with/in products or byproducts; interception d. Scientific or technical journal non-refereed e. Specialist amateur publication Determination of pest status in an area / 11 Draft standard / May 1998

29 e. Expert amateur f. Non-specialist e. Visual description only e. Precise location and date not known f. Unpublished scientific or technical document g. Non-technical publication; periodical/newspaper APPENDIX III g. Collector/identifier not known f. Method of identification not known h. Personal communication; unpublished Determination of pest status in an area / 12 Draft standard / May 1998

30 APPENDIX III 3. Pest Status in an Area 3.1 Describing pest status in an area Determination of pest status requires expert judgement on the current distribution of a pest in an area. This judgement is based on a synthesis of pest records and information from other sources. Both current and historical records are used in assessing the present-day situation. Pest status can be described under the following categories: Presence A pest is present if records indicate that it is indigenous or introduced. If a pest is present and sufficient reliable records are available, then it may be possible to characterize its distribution using phrases, or a combinations of phrases, such as the following examples: Present: in all parts of the area Present: only in some areas 2 Present: except in specified pest free areas Present: in all parts of the area where host crop(s) are grown Present: only in some areas where host crop(s) are grown 3 Present: only in protected cultivation Present: seasonally Present: but managed 4 Present: subject to official control Present: under eradication Present: at low prevalence. Other similar descriptive phrases may be used, as appropriate. If few reliable records are available, it will be difficult to characterize the distribution. As appropriate, it is useful to characterize the prevalence of the pest (e.g. common, occasional, rare), and the level of damage and/or losses caused by the pest on relevant hosts. 2 specify where possible 3 specify where possible 4 According to: (details to be listed) Determination of pest status in an area / 13 Draft standard / May 1998

31 APPENDIX III Absence If there are no records of the presence of the pest in the general surveillance data of an area, it may be reasonable to conclude that a pest is or has always been absent. This may be supported by specific records of absence. It is also possible to conclude that a pest is absent even if there are pest records suggesting the contrary. These different situations are described below. Absence may also be confirmed by specific surveys (see ISPM: Guidelines for surveillance) and, in that case, the phrase confirmed by survey should then be added. Similarly, when a pest free area is established according to the appropriate ISPM, (see ISPM: Requirements for the establishment of pest free areas) the phrase Pest free area declared should be added. Absent: no pest records General surveillance indicates that the pest is absent now and has never been recorded. Absent: pest eradicated Pest records indicate that the pest was present in the past. A documented pest eradication programme was conducted and was successful (see ISPM: Guidelines for pest eradication programmes). Surveillance confirms continued absence. Absent: pest no longer present Pest records indicate that the pest was transient or established in the past, but general surveillance indicates the pest is no longer present. The reason(s) may include: - climate or other natural limitation to pest perpetuation - changes in hosts cultivated - changes in cultivars - changes in agricultural practices. Absent: pest records invalid Pest records indicate the presence of a pest, but the conclusion is reached that the records are invalid or no longer valid, as in the following officially declared cases: - changes in taxonomy - misidentification - erroneous record Determination of pest status in an area / 14 Draft standard / May 1998

32 APPENDIX III - changes in national borders where reinterpretation of the record may be needed. Absent: pest records unreliable Pest records indicate the presence of a pest, but the determination leads to the conclusion that the records are unreliable, as in the following officially declared cases: - ambiguous nomenclature - outdated identification or diagnostic methods - records cannot be considered reliable (see Table). Absent: intercepted only The pest has only been reported on consignments at a point of entry or initial destination or while under detention before release, treatment or destruction. Surveillance confirms that the pest has not established Transience Pest status is considered transient when a pest is present but establishment is not expected to occur based on technical evaluation. There are three types of transients: Transient: non-actionable The pest has only been detected as an individual occurrence or isolated population, not expected to survive and no phytosanitary measures have been applied. Determination of pest status in an area / 15 Draft standard / May 1998

33 APPENDIX III Transient: actionable, under surveillance The pest has been detected as an individual occurrence or an isolated population that may survive into the immediate future, but is not expected to establish. Appropriate phytosanitary measures, including surveillance are being applied. Transient: actionable, under eradication The pest has been detected as an isolated population which may survive into the immediate future and, without phytosanitary measures for eradication, may establish. Appropriate phytosanitary measures have been applied for its eradication. 3.2 Determination of pest status in an area Determination of the status of a pest is provided by an NPPO. It results in deciding upon the most appropriate description of the pest status in an area (see Section 3.1) based on supporting information. This may include: - individual pest records - pest records from surveys - records or other indication of pest absence - results of general surveillance - information from scientific publications and databases - phytosanitary measures used to prevent introduction or spread - other information relevant to assessing pest absence or presence. The reliability and consistency of the information should be considered. In particular, careful judgement is needed when there is conflicting information. 4. Recommended Reporting Practices Contracting parties have obligations under the IPPC (see New Revised Text: Article VIII 1a) to report the occurrence, outbreak or spread of pests, of which, in the terms of this standard, information pertaining to pest status in an area is a part. This standard is not concerned with reporting obligations, but with the quality of the reported information. Accurate reports are an essential part of the international cooperation to facilitate trade. Failure to discover and report pests, or inaccurate, incomplete, untimely, or misinterpreted reports can lead to the establishment of unjustified trade barriers, or to the introduction and/or spread of pests. Determination of pest status in an area / 16 Draft standard / May 1998

34 APPENDIX III Persons or organizations involved in collecting pest records should follow the recommendations in this standard, and provide the NPPO with accurate and complete details before reporting the information generally. To observe good reporting practices, NPPOs should: - base determinations of pest status in an area on the most reliable and timely information available - take into account the categories and pest status determinations set out in this standard when exchanging pest status information between countries - inform the NPPO of trading partners as soon as possible, and their Regional Plant Protection Organization (RPPO) where appropriate, of relevant changes in pest status and especially reports of newly established pests - report interceptions of regulated pests which suggest a change in pest status in the exporting country to other countries only after consultation with the exporting country - when becoming aware of an otherwise unreported record of a pest in another country, the NPPO may report it to other countries or RPPOs only after informing and where possible consulting with the NPPO concerned - exchange pest status information in conformity with Articles VII (2j) and VIII (1a and 1c) of the IPPC to the extent practicable, and in a medium and language acceptable to both parties. - correct erroneous records as soon as possible. Determination of pest status in an area / 17 Draft standard / May 1998

35 APPENDIX III Appendix. Useful References. This listing is for reference purposes only. The references here are widely available, easily accessible and generally recognized as authoritative. The list is not comprehensive or static, nor is it endorsed as a standard under this ISPM. Nomenclature, Terminology and General Taxonomy Bayer coding system, European and Mediterranean Plant Protection Organization, Paris, France. BioNET-INTERNATIONAL: Global Network for Biosystematics, CAB International, Wallingford, UK. Codes for the representation of names of countries, ISO International Organization for Standards, Geneva, Switzerland (English/French). Dictionnaire des agents pathogènes des plantes cultiveés, I. Fiala & F. Fèvre, Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique, Paris, France (English/French/Latin). Glossary of Plant Pathological Terms, M.C. Shurtleff & C.W. Averre, American Phytopathological Society, St. Paul MN, USA. Glossary of phytosanitary terms, ISPM Pub. No. 5, FAO, Rome, (Arabic/Chinese/ English/French/Spanish). International Code of Botanical Nomenclature, International Botanical Congress. International code of nomenclature for cultivated plants, International Bureau for Plant Taxonomy and Nomenclature, Utrecht, Netherlands. International code of zoological nomenclature, International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature. United Nations Terminology Bulletin No. 347, Office of Conference and Support Services, United Nations, NY (UN Member names in Arabic/Chinese/English/French/ Russian/Spanish). General Pest Identification and Distribution CABPESTCD-ROM, CAB International, Wallingford, UK. Crop Protection Compendium CD-ROM, CAB International, Wallingford, UK. Descriptions of Fungi and Bacteria, CAB International, Surrey, UK. Distribution Maps of Pests, CAB International, Wallingford, UK. Hojas de datos sobre plagas y enfermedades agrícolas de importancia cuarentenaria para los países miembros del OIRSA, volúmenes 1-4, Organismo Internacional Regional de Sanidad Agropecuaria, El Salvador. Mammal Species of the World: a taxonomic and geographical reference, Honacki et al. eds, Allen Press Inc., Kansas, USA. Determination of pest status in an area / 18 Draft standard / May 1998