DEPARTMENT: AGRICULTURE
International
Plant Protection Convention:New Revised Text
Briefing to Parliamentary Select Committee –
Land & Environmental Affairs
(National Council of Provinces) by
Dept of Agriculture: Directorate Plant Health
Dr Marinda Visser
Cape Town, 26 October 2005
2
DEPARTMENT: AGRICULTURE
SA is a signatory member of
1. The World Trade Organisation Agreement on the Application of Sanitary & Phytosanitary Measures (WTO-SPS Agreement),
and
2. The International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC)
3
DEPARTMENT: AGRICULTURE
The WTO-SPS Agreement
Came into being in 1995
Sets out the basic rules for global agricultural trade
Recognises 3 standard-setting bodies (for plant health, animal health, and food safety)
4
DEPARTMENT: AGRICULTURE
WTO-SPS Standard-setting bodies:
IPPC – International Plant Protection Convention
OIE – International Office of Epizootics
Codex – Codex Alimentarius Commission
5
DEPARTMENT: AGRICULTURE
WTO: Rights
Members
• May protect the humans, plants
& animals within their territories
from harmful foreign pests
(e.g. set phytosanitary regulations)
6
DEPARTMENT: AGRICULTURE
WTO: Obligations
Members
• Must base all regulatory measures
on scientific data (i.e. these must be
technically justified & appropriate)
7
DEPARTMENT: AGRICULTURE
The IPPC
Is a multilateral treaty for international cooperation in plant protection
Its purpose is “… 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.” (Article I)
8
DEPARTMENT: AGRICULTURE
Scope of the IPPC
Covers international cooperation in protecting plants and plant products from harmful pests –
•“Plants”: include agricultural crops, forests, wild flora
•“Pests”: include insects, pathogens, weeds
•“Harm”: includes indirect effects such as from weeds
9
DEPARTMENT: AGRICULTURE
Scope of the IPPC (continued)
Extends to items capable of harbouring or spreading pests, such as:
Storage places
Conveyances / vehicles, and
Containers
Provides for cross-border movement of organisms for research or other purposes
Includes imported biological control organisms
10
DEPARTMENT: AGRICULTURE
History of the IPPC
• Came into force in 1952:– SA ratified adherence in 1956, and– Accepted the 1979 revised text in 1981;
• Was revised again in 1997:– The aim was to bring it into line with the
principles and expectations of the WTO-SPS Agreement of 1995;
– This text was approved in various FAO forums, in which SA participated
11
DEPARTMENT: AGRICULTURE
Acceptance of Revised Text by Contracting Parties
Acceptance is for current Contracting Parties, such
as South Africa;
A Government deposits an instrument of acceptance with the Director General of FAO;
The depositing Government then accepts the 1997
revisions of the IPPC.
12
DEPARTMENT: AGRICULTURE
Key Principles of the IPPC
Gives Contracting Parties the right to regulate imports in respect of plant health;
Regulatory measures should be applied only when necessary;
Measures should be:consistent with the risk, and least restrictive; technically justified / based on scientific facts;non-discriminatory; transparent (published).
13
DEPARTMENT: AGRICULTURE
Key Obligations in terms of IPPC
Contracting Parties must set up & administer a
National Plant Protection Organization (NPPO) &
Official IPPC contact point;
Cooperate internationally & share information on pests & plant health regulations;
Develop & take into account phytosanitary standards
Conduct plant health treatments, & certify exports;
Regulate imports.
14
DEPARTMENT: AGRICULTURE
Organizations Established under IPPC
1. The Commission on Phytosanitary Measures
(CPM), (Article XI, IPPC)
2. The IPPC Secretariat (Article XII, IPPC);
3. Regional Plant Protection Organizations
(RPPOs; Article IX, IPPC).
15
DEPARTMENT: AGRICULTURE
Commission on Phytosanitary Measures (CPM)
Governing Body for implementation of IPPC;
Decisions made by consensus;
Comprises Contracting Parties (and FAO members
until 1997 text is ratified);
Observers: Regional Plant Protection Organisations,
& International Organizations (e.g. WTO SPS
Committee).
16
DEPARTMENT: AGRICULTURE
CPM (continued)
Reviews global plant protection needs, and
sets an annual work programme;
Develops and adopts international standards
for phytosanitary measures (ISPMs);
Promotes technical assistance;
Meets annually (next meeting is ICPM 8 / CPM 1 April 03 - 07 2006, Rome, Italy.
17
DEPARTMENT: AGRICULTURE
The IPPC Secretariat
Is located within the Plant Protection Service of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in Rome, Italy;
Currently comprises a Secretary, a Coordinator, 6 professionals and 2 administrators;
Supplemented by a visiting scientist and 2 consultants.
18
DEPARTMENT: AGRICULTURE
The IPPC Secretariat’s Activities
– Implements the work programme;– Supports the production of standards;– Coordinates with RPPOs;– Represents the CPM (e.g. at the WTO-SPS,
CBD);– Facilitates information exchange;– Provides input into technical assistance
programmes;– Facilitates dispute settlement.
19
DEPARTMENT: AGRICULTURE
Regional Plant Protection Organizations (RPPOs)
Currently CPM recognises 9 RPPOs;
Governments that are not Contracting
Parties to IPPC may belong to an RPPO;
RPPOs are observers at the CPM;
Annual Technical Consultations take place
among RPPOs (17th: 29/08 – 2/09/05);
20
DEPARTMENT: AGRICULTURE
RPPOs (continued)
The InterAfrican Phytosanitary Council (IAPSC) of the African Union (AU) is the RPPO for Africa;
RPPOs identify regional needs for plant health standards;
Regional Standards that are developed and implemented regionally often become the basis for an ISPM.
21
DEPARTMENT: AGRICULTURE
Key IAPSC responsibilities as RPPO
2. To cooperate with the IPPC Secretariat to help achieve the aims of the IPPC;
2. To coordinate and disseminate information on plant protection procedures in Africa.
22
DEPARTMENT: AGRICULTURE
CPM Administrative Organizations
2.Bureau of the CPM
3.Standards Committee (SC)
4.Body on Dispute Settlement
5.Informal Working Groups
6.Expert Working Groups/Technical Panels
23
DEPARTMENT: AGRICULTURE
Bureau of the CPM
Chair: Dr Chagema John Kedera (Kenya);
Two Vice Chairs:•Ms Reinouw Bast-Tjeerde (Canada)•Ralf Lopian (Finland)
24
DEPARTMENT: AGRICULTURE
The Standards Committee (SC)
Group of 25 international technical experts, from 7 FAO regions;
Meets twice per year (May & November); Reviews and recommends changes to draft
standards; Approves specifications, checks consistency
and recommends standards for adoption by the ICPM / CPM.
25
DEPARTMENT: AGRICULTURE
Body on Dispute Settlement
International experts from 7 FAO regions;
Develop dispute settlement procedures;
Maintain a roster of phytosanitary experts;
Promote dispute avoidance;
Prepare information for the effective
preparation of dispute settlement procedures.
26
DEPARTMENT: AGRICULTURE
Informal Working Groups
Focus Group: Open-ended working group
which focuses on a particular issue of concern
for CPM;
Strategic Planning and Technical Assistance
Group (SPTA);
Support Group for the IPPC website /
International Phytosanitary Portal (IPP)
27
DEPARTMENT: AGRICULTURE
Expert Working Groups
Experts are selected by the Standards
Committee (SC) and approved by the CPM
Bureau;
A Steward (usually from the SC) guides the
process;
ISPMs are reviewed or prepared for
submission to SC.
28
DEPARTMENT: AGRICULTURE
Technical Panels (TPs)
CPM6 (2004) decided to establish TPs;
TPs provide the Standards Committee (SC) with specific draft standards and advise the SC on specific technical matters;
Experts are selected by the SC and approved by the CPM Bureau;
A Steward (in some cases from the SC) guides the process.
29
DEPARTMENT: AGRICULTURE
International Standard Setting Programme
1. Priority of a Standard decided by CPM (consensus);
2. Working Group of Experts drafts the Standard;
3. Standards Committee (SC) reviews document;
4. Country Consultation (& RPPO discussions);
5. Standards Committee incorporates comments;
6. Adoption by the CPM / reverted to SC.
30
DEPARTMENT: AGRICULTURE
Implications of the SPS Agreement
Members shall base their phytosanitary measures on international standards or justify deviations through risk analysis;
Members shall play a full part in the relevant standard setting organization;
Relevant standard setting organizations are Codex, OIE, and IPPC.
(Article 3 of the SPS: Harmonization)
31
DEPARTMENT: AGRICULTURE
SPS Measures
Should therefore be:
– Consistent with international standards;
– Technically justified (based on scientific principles and evidence);
– Harmonized to the extent possible;
– Transparent (notified);
– Meet the appropriate level of protection.
32
DEPARTMENT: AGRICULTURE
SPS Measures i.t.o IPPC & WTO
The IPPC makes provision for
trade in a plant protection agreement.
The WTO-SPS makes complementary provision for phytosanitary protection in a trade agreement.
33
DEPARTMENT: AGRICULTURE
IPPC
WTO SPS
CBD
International Regulatory Framework
Trade
LMOs
ProtectingBiological Diversity
Plant Protection
CP
34
DEPARTMENT: AGRICULTURE
IPPC
CBDSPS
International Regulatory Framework
CP
Protecting wild flora
Trade while protecting biodiversity
Trade
LMOs
No more traderestrictive
than necessary LMOs identified as pests
ProtectingBiological Diversity
Plant Protection
35
DEPARTMENT: AGRICULTURE
Information exchange:
Contracting parties to the IPPC provide:
– An Official contact point and NPPO; – Official information on pests and phytosanitary
measures;
IPPC Secretariat:– Provides official documents (ISPMs and reports)– Facilitates information exchange;– Maintains the IPPC web site.
36
DEPARTMENT: AGRICULTURE
Technical Support
• Technical consultation programme:
– Regional workshops on draft standards;
• IPPC staff provide phytosanitary support to:
– FAO Technical Cooperation programmes (TCPs)
– Ad hoc workshops (e.g. WTO, WB, WHO)
– Programmes of other organizations.
37
DEPARTMENT: AGRICULTURE
Review (1-7):
1. The Convention / international treaty – IPPC;
2. Organizational Framework: CPM, Secretariat to the IPPC, RPPOs;
3. Recognised by WTO-SPS Agreement;
4. Sets standards (ISPMs) & a Work Programme;
5. Facilitates Information Exchange
38
DEPARTMENT: AGRICULTURE
Review (continued):
6. Provides Technical Support
7. Members must
Actively participate in the CPM and its working groups;
Harmonise regulatory measures with ISPMs;
Base import regulations on Pest Risk Analysis (PRA) = technical justification.
39
DEPARTMENT: AGRICULTURE
Conclusions (1-7):
Membership of the IPPC and participation in its activities
1. Supports SA’s agricultural industries (plants and plant products) in terms of maintaining
– The principles of free, fair and safe trade in accordance with our WTO engagements and obligations, and
– Access to international markets;
40
DEPARTMENT: AGRICULTURE
Conclusions (continued):
2. Enables SA to influence important decisions on norms and standards, and to be a ‘standard maker’ not a ‘standard taker’;
3. Strengthens our– Relationships with trading partners– Regulatory credibility, and– Leadership role within Africa (e.g. SACU,
SADC, AU);
41
DEPARTMENT: AGRICULTURE
Conclusions (continued):
4. IPPC membership is therefore important for the maintenance of a globally competitive position in international agricultural trade;
42
DEPARTMENT: AGRICULTURE
Conclusions (continued):
5. Further, IPPC membership provides access to technical assistance and capacity building;
6. Provides assistance with dispute resolution procedures (bilateral technical dialogue);
7. National technical experts can be included in the roster of experts used for consultation in disputes, and included in various technical working groups.
43
DEPARTMENT: AGRICULTURE
Recommendations:
SA should Accept the New Revised Text of the IPPC
(1997) rather than forgo its right to participate in international plant health standard-setting procedures;
Continue active participation in the IPPC structures, and making inputs to its strategic planning and technical assistance planning forums.