International Agreements and Pest Management Programmes International Plant Protection Convention Food and Agriculture Organization Rome, Italy Christina Devorshak, Ph.D. (USDA-APHIS-PPQ / Raleigh, NC, USA)

What are some reasons to undertake an AWPM programme?

Agricultural trade US$200 billion industry – Increasing steadily since WTO entered into force Increased volume of trade More demand for wider variety of goods Increased possibility of transporting pests

Problem How to ensure fair opportunities for trade, but at the same time ensure that trade is safe? How to ensure that protective measures are not disguised barriers to trade?

International Agreements World Trade Organization (140+ members) Agreement on the Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures Agreement on Technical Barriers to Trade International Plant Protection Convention Convention on Biological Diversity Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety

International Regulatory Framework Least trade restrictive measures Protecting wild flora IPPC SPS CP CBD GMOs as potential plant pests Trade and Environment

History of the SPS GATT begins in 1948 exists to 1994 w/o Agriculture Agreements Exception in GATT Article XX.b for measures to protect human, animal and plant health and life

The Uruguay Round 1986-94 established the WTO added Agreements on Agriculture included the Agreement on the Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (the SPS Agreement)

Desired elements Working Group consensus on SPS measures: Should not be disguised trade barriers Should be harmonised and based on science Special considerations for developing countries Transparency in setting regulations and settling disputes International committee for implementation

The SPS Agreement In force for many countries since 1995 Focus on the purpose of the measure Limited to the protection of: human or animal life and health (sanitary) plant life and health (phytosanitary)

Key SPS Provisions Sovereignty • Risk Assessment Harmonization • Regionalization Equivalence • Area Freedom Transparency • Low Prevalence Technical Assistance Dispute Settlement Least trade restrictive (minimal impact) Non-discrimination “Appropriate level of protection” = ALOP

Article 2 “Members shall ensure that any sanitary or phytosanitary measure is applied only to the extent necessary to protect human, animal or plant life or health, is based on scientific principles and is not maintained without sufficient scientific evidence...”.

The Agreement on the Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (the SPS Agreement) is the only WTO agreement that identifies specific organizations responsible for standard setting and international harmonization.

Relationship to the SPS Art 3 of the SPS (Harmonization) measures based on international standards or justify deviations participation in standard setting bodies standard setting organizations are: Codex Alimentarius Commission, Office Internationale des Epizooties, and International Plant Protection Convention

The SPS makes provision for phytosanitary protection in a trade agreement... The IPPC makes complementary provision for trade in a protection agreement.

Why is this important to YOU? Awareness of legal and political motivation that may influence work Justification to undertake new programmes or research Potential to seek out new opportunities for research and/or funding

What is the IPPC? A multilateral treaty for international cooperation in plant protection The global instrument for the harmonization of phytosanitary measures The phytosanitary standard-setting organization named in the WTO-SPS Agreement

Purpose of the IPPC … to secure common and effective action to prevent the spread and introduction of pests of plants and plant products, and to promote appropriate measures for their control.

History Original IPPC came into force in 1952 Amended in 1979 - entered into force 1991 Amended again in 1997 requires 2/3 of member’s acceptance consistent with SPS principles and expectations formalizes Secretariat and standard-setting

Membership Over 120 Contracting Parties (to the 1979 text) Includes most major trading partners except China and the European Community Interim Commission on Phytosanitary Measures

Interim Commission on Phytosanitary Measures FAO members and contracting parties Observers: countries, RPPOs, International Organizations Acceptance of ISPMs by consensus Reviews global plant protection needs Serves as a scientific and technical forum

Scope of the IPPC Protecting plants from harmful pests plants include forests and wild flora pests include diseases and weeds harm includes indirect effects (e.g. weeds) not limited to trade Includes bio-control organisms Extends to storage places, conveyances, and containers Other objects or materials capable of harbouring or spreading pests

Key Provisions of the IPPC Appropriate national legislation and infrastructure Countries should implement adequate measures Strength of measures appropriate Uniform certification Free access to information Regionalization Cooperation

Key Obligations Administer an NPPO identify official contact point Exchange official and scientific information conduct surveillance for pests Develop and observe standards (ISPMs) Recognize equivalence Conduct treatments and certify exports Pest free areas Pest eradication programmes

Scope “The coverage of the IPPC definition of plant pests includes weeds and other species that have indirect effects on plants. Therefore the scope of the Convention applies to the protection of wild flora resulting in an important contribution to the conservation of biological diversity.” (ICPM 2001)

CBD relationship to the IPPC GMOs (LMOs) to the extent that such organisms may be considered plant pests Biosafety as it involves pest risk analysis, biocontrol, and the application of phytosanitary measures Alien invasive species to the extent that these include pests of plants and plant products

Secretariat Activities Phytosanitary standard-setting Coordination with RPPOs and NPPOs Cooperation with international orgs: IAEA, WTO, CBD, others Information exchange Technical assistance Dispute settlement Work programme decided by ICPM

Information Exchange Facilitate mandatory information exchange standards pest status regulations, requirements, pest lists non-compliance, emergencies http://www.ippc.int

Objective of Harmonization Countries use standards as basis for national regulations These premises cannot be challenged under SPS

The Standards Committee Composed of 20 int’l technical experts Development of international standards: approval of draft specifications review and recommendation of draft standards prepares draft standards for country consultation ensure consistency in development of new standards

Types of standards Reference standards Pest risk analysis standards Glossary of Phytosanitary Terms Pest risk analysis standards Concept standards Guidelines for pest free areas Specific standards Wood packaging

Priorities for new standards? What standards would be most useful to developing countries? What specific pests should be targeted first? What programmes should be implemented (e.g. AWPM, SIT, PFAs?) What specific commodities are most important (to you or your country)? Who can suggest topics? Who decides priorities?

Take home message SPS Agreement IPPC Measures: protect human, animal and plant life or health should meet “ALOP”, but be least trade restrictive based on science and risk assessment IPPC Plant protection agreement with provision for trade Recognition of and guidance for pest free areas, areas of low prevalence and regions

More info… Secretariat of the IPPC Internet: http://www.ippc.int e-mail: ippc@fao.org Secretariat of the IPPC FAO – AGPP – IPPC Viale delle Terme di Caracalla Rome, ITALY 00100 Fax: +39 06 5705 6346 Tel: +39 06 5705 4812

My contact details… Christina Devorshak, PhD USDA APHIS PPQ Center for Plant Health Science and Technology Plant Epidemiology and Risk Analysis Laboratory 1730 Varsity Drive, Suite 300 Raleigh NC, 27606 USA Tel: +919 855 7547 Email: Christina.Devorshak@aphis.usda.gov