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Posted on Fri, 08 Apr 2022, 15:26 The International Plant Protection Convention’s Phyto Solution has exchanged over 2 million digital phytosanitary certificates or ePhytos from inception to date. On average, this translates to more than 100,000certificates exchanged each month. Moreover, as of 1 April 2022, 108 countries have registered in the ePhyto system, with sixty-five exchanging in full production and 40 using the web-based GeNS system. The update was provided by Craig Fedchock, IPPC Senior Advisor and ePhyto Programme Director at the Commission on Phytosanitary Measures (CPM-16) virtual meeting second on 7 April 2022 and attended by more than 330 stakeholders and Contracting Parties. Craig added that a resource mobilization meeting would be held on 27 April 2022, and a webpage of Arabic language would be introduced soon. The IPPC ePhyto solution is a tool that transitions the conventional paper phytosanitary certificate information into a digital phytosanitary certificate or “ePhyto”. This electronic exchange between countries makes trade safer, easier, faster, cheaper and more environmentally friendly. Contracting parties can exchange ePhytos with any other country on the system using their own national systems or using the web-based GeNS system. The GeNS allows countries without their own system to produce, send and receive ePhytos through the HUB. The ePhyto HUB is the core of the system that facilitates the exchange of ePhytos between National Plant Protection Organizations (NPPOs). Capacity building ramped up One of the reasons for the success of the ePhyto Solution is attributed to increased awareness and training of stakeholders along the ePhyto system value chain. The IPPC Secretariat conducted a series of workshops and webinars with representatives of the ePhyto Industry Advisory Group. Regional webinars were held for Eastern Europe and Central Asia, the near East and North Africa, and the South African Region in cooperation with the FAO regional offices in Budapest, Cairo and Harare. Individual national events took place with the Republic of Korea, the People’s Republic of China, the Dominican Republic, Cote D’Ivoire, Bahamas, and Costa Rica. Partnerships key to Success Led by the IPPC Secretariat’s ePhyto Team, the ePhyto revolution has been a success thanks to partnerships formed among governments, industry and international organizations working together to build and support an inexpensive, efficient and money-saving tool to facilitate trade for any IPPC Contracting Party wishing to do so. “The ePhyto solution is growing rapidly. We have strong partnerships with industry and a number of international organizations. The relationships we have formed are unique in the world in that we are all working seamlessly toward the goal of facilitating safe and efficient trade in plants and plant products”, says Mr. Fedchock. Partners include the Global Alliance for Trade Facilitation, a key collaboration in the implementation of the ePhyto Solution in developing and less-developed countries. The Alliance is engaged in ’s ePhyto projects have been earmarked in countries as diverse as Morocco, Nigeria, Madagascar, Jordan, Cameroon, and Fiji, among others. The Alliance is unique in that it brings together a coalition of both government and the private sector to introduce, implement and train in the use of the IPPC ePhyto solution becoming a virtual extension of the Secretariat and the United Nations International Computing Centre (UNICC). The combination of the Alliance, the IPPC Secretariat ePhyto Team and the IT providers, UNICC, has resulted in a partnership of very diverse entities working together seamlessly to provide a modern, improved trade environment for both producers and consumers of plants and plant products. For more information, please read https://www.ephytoexchange.org/landing/

Posted on Fri, 08 Apr 2022, 10:19 Rome, 8 April 2022. The Commission on Phytosanitary Measures (CPM) adopted yesterday the International Standard for Phytosanitary Measures (ISPM) number 46 on Commodity-Specific Standards. Commodity-specific standards are crucial in protecting plant-based agriculture, safeguarding the environment and natural resources against invasive pests and facilitating safe trade. They offer a strategic value in that they harmonize phytosanitary measures, optimize efficiency of resources and provide consistency to contracting parties. “The adoption of the overarching commodity standards not only reinforces the relevance of the IPPC to modern international trade policies and practices, but it is also a landmark step towards delivering one of the eight development agenda items of the IPPC Strategic Framework 2020–2030,” said Samuel Bishop, Standards Committee member for Europe and steward for the ISPM, and the Head of International Plant Health of the UK Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. It is envisaged that the adoption of specific commodity standards, along with harmonized phytosanitary measures, will facilitate and accelerate trade negotiations and simplify safe trade in plant products by 2030, as outlined in the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) Strategic Framework 2020-2030. This key result supports the achievement of relevant Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), including SDG 2 – End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture, among others. The overarching standard ISPM 46 applies to commodities being moved through international trade. The standards are designed to support the development of phytosanitary import requirements where measures are technically justified to facilitate safe trade. Contracting parties should thus, consider available commodity standards when developing phytosanitary import requirements, including pest lists and options for phytosanitary measures. As the IPPC takes on a new direction by putting greater focus on commodity- or pathway-specific topics, it was recognized that the international phytosanitary community might view this as a challenge. The CPM had agreed on the principles around commodity standards and it highlighted the sovereign authority of contracting parties and that no additional obligations are imposed on importing countries by commodity standards, over and above the obligations already identified in the IPPC. Following the IPPC Standard Setting Procedure, comments were solicited from national and regional plant protection organizations on the draft standard through an open and transparent process. The IPPC Standards Committee reviewed the comments provided by the IPPC community thoroughly after which, the draft standard was presented for adoption at the CPM-16. The IPPC Secretariat also organized a webinar earlier this year to increase the understanding of the IPPC commodity standards and its key principles. “The overarching standards will pave the way for the IPPC to continue to add tremendous value to countries and communities as new global commodity standards simplify safe trade between countries,” said Joanne Wilson, Standards Committee member for Southwest Pacific region and assistant steward of the ISPM 46. She is also the Principal Adviser to the Animal and Plant Health Directorate of New Zealand. “I’m especially excited for developing countries who will be able to use commodity standards as a basis to start trading more quickly,” Joanne Wilson added. The newly adopted commodity standards, or ISPM 46, will be available soon on the IPPC International Phytosanitary Portal. Related information: Commodity standards, a webinar explains new directions in the IPPC work CPM-16 document with the adopted text of the ISPM 46

Posted on Thu, 07 Apr 2022, 09:03 Rome, 7 April 2022. The Implementation and Capacity Development Committee (IC) of the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) presented today its key achievements at the sixteenth session of the Commission on Phytosanitary Measures (CPM-16). In 2021, the IC held eight virtual meetings and continued its work on priority topics in the area of implementation and capacity development (ICD), particularly in advancing the development of IPPC guides and training materials. The IC also continued to coordinate the work of the IC Subgroups and IC Teams while providing guidance on implementing ICD projects. Global experts, participating in various working groups, developed three new IPPC guides in 2021. The new guides provide information on three key topics: pest status determination, surveillance and fall armyworm prevention. The pest status and surveillance guides were launched during a webinar in October 2021, attracting a total of 354 participants from 77 countries. Webinar participants highlighted the value and usability of these guides and confirmed that they planned to use these guides themselves or share them with colleagues following the webinar. Three new IPPC guides, on ISPM 15, e-commerce, and contingency planning are set to be published in 2022. In addition, four new e-learning courses are being developed on pest risk analysis, export certification, inspection, and surveillance. In 2021, three virtual meetings were held by the IC Sub-group on the Implementation Review and Support System (IRSS). It also conducted six studies that will be published in 2022, added e-Commerce in the IRSS list of topics, and conducted an analysis on the options to transition IRSS to a more sustainable system after project funding ends in May 2022. Following the end of its mandate in December 2021, the IC Sub-group on Sea Containers Task Force (SCTF) presented its final report and recommendations to the IC, which were then noted by the CPM in the recently held session. The CPM also noted the formation of a CPM Focus Group on Sea Containers and its Terms of Reference. The IC Team on National Reporting Organizations (NROs) organized six meetings to provide guidance on NROs and facilitate the implementation of the 2021 NROs work plan. The IPPC Secretariat provided direct assistance to IPPC contact points to reduce IT barriers, particularly in managing their information on the International Phytosanitary Portal (IPP), revising the architectural structure of the IPP to handle large numbers of users and data, and advising IPPC contact points on legal matters in managing their data on the IPP. Furthermore, an IPPC e-Commerce Guide is set to be published in 2022. A webpage on e-Commerce systems was launched in March 2021, linking all relevant ISPMs, CPM recommendations and IPPC guides and contributed resources in one place. The IC Team on e-Commerce continues to strengthen collaboration with the World Customs Organization, the Universal Postal Union and the International Seed Federation in relation to e-Commerce and phytosanitary risks associated with mail and courier pathways. A revised Framework for Standards and Implementation was also presented at the CPM. The revised framework aims to streamline the process in compiling and maintaining the framework, enhancing its usability and reducing cost. The CPM thanked the IC and noted that its contribution has been instrumental in making significant progress on issues related to implementation and capacity development. This has been possible through the support and guidance of the IC Sub-groups and IC Teams. “We have seen the results of the IC’s work that has resulted in improved implementation of the IPPC and international standards and in building the capacity of contracting parties through numerous projects, webinars and other activities,” said Dominique Pelletier, IC Chair. “We commend the IC members’ and the IPPC Secretariat, particularly the Implementation and Facilitation Unit’s dedication and thank them for their selfless contributions,” he concluded. Related information: Report Implementation and Capacity Development Committee, CPM-16 Sea Containers Task Force Proposed establishment and draft TOR CPM Focus Group on Sea Containers Implementation, Review and Support System – Options for transitioning to more sustainable system Summary of the NRO 2021 activities and 2022 work plan Framework for Standards and Implementation….. Tags: Committee Implementation

Posted on Fri, 25 Mar 2022, 12:55 Rome, 24 March 2022 – The Organising Committee of the International Plant Health Conference held its first meeting today to lay the groundwork to deliver the first edition of the important event. Dr. Jinguyan Xia, Director of the Plant Production and Protection Division (FAO), opened the meeting recalling the great success of the International Year of Plant Health 2020, and how this Conference, the soon to be announced International Day of Plant Health, amongst others, exemplify the success of IYPH. Dr. Osama El-Lissy, the newly appointed IPPC Secretary, delivered his opening remarks underlining the importance of such an initiative for the entire IPPC community, especially in advancing the IPPC work as well as the implementation of the IPPC Strategic Framework 2020 – 2030. Both speakers expressed their gratitude to the United Kingdom for the commitment to host the first International Plant Health Conference (IPHC) in London, from 21 to 23 September 2022. The IPHC Organising Committee appointed Prof Nicola Spence, head of the National Plant Protection Organization of the United Kingdom, as Chairperson. The group discussed the overall Conference themes and programme, some preliminary financial considerations as well as defining the best way forward to deliver a successful event. The IPHC Organising Committee appointed ad-hoc working groups to work on details associated with conference programme, logistics, and communication and outreach. First meeting of the Organising Committee of the International Plant Health Conference – International Plant Protection Convention (ippc.int)

Posted on Fri, 18 Mar 2022, 07:24 The International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) Secretariat, with the support of many partners and cooperators, including the UNICC, has developed the ePhyto solution to bring plant-protection phytosanitary certification for international trade into the digital era. The ePhyto solution, now four years underway, has successfully enabled a growing number of countries to electronically exchange ePhytos, quickly, accurately and at low cost. Continue reading the article by the IPPC principal partner, UNICC by clicking here…… IPPC ePhyto Solution, Four Years In – International Plant Protection Convention

Posted on Fri, 11 Mar 2022, 06:44 Rome, 8 March 2022 – Mr. Osama El-Lissy has been appointed as the Secretary of the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC), effective February 26, 2022. Born in Egypt and a national of the United States, El-Lissy holds a doctorate degree in management from the University of Maryland, a Master of Business Administration from Georgetown University, a Master of Public Administration from American University, and a Bachelor of Science in agriculture production and entomology from Cairo University. Prior to this appointment, Dr. El-Lissy worked for the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) for almost 22 years. For the past nine years, he served as Deputy Administrator of USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. In that role, Dr. El-Lissy led the national plant protection organization of the United States and served as the country’s chief plant health officer. He also provided leadership to 3 000 employees in the United States and around the world. Dr. El-Lissy held several other executive positions earlier in his USDA career. These included Associate Deputy Administrator, Director of Plant Health Emergency Programs, and National Coordinator of Cotton Pest Programs. Prior to joining USDA in 2000, Dr. El-Lissy worked for the Texas Boll Weevil Eradication Foundation from 1994 to 2000, leading one of the largest pest eradication programs in the world. From 1986 to 1994, he worked with the Arizona Cotton Research and Protection Council, managing large-scale cotton pest eradication programs in Arizona and the southwestern region of the United States. El-Lissy also headed U.S. delegation at international and regional plant protection organizations such as the IPPC, the North American Plant Protection Organization (NAPPO), and the Plant Health Quadrilateral (QUADS) between the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand to harmonize science-based and safe movement of agricultural products. He also played an active role in the development of the IPPC 2020-30 strategic plan and has been a strong and consistent advocate and sponsor of key IPPC global initiatives. His unique blend of scientific and executive leadership expertise, international networks, and personal and professional goals position him well to facilitate and support FAO’s global efforts at defeating hunger and achieving food security worldwide. With 30 years of experience in agriculture, Osama effectively managed and promoted the exchange of sector-relevant knowledge with international partners as well as private sector entities to synergize resources and optimize programs to safeguard agriculture and facilitate safe trade. With his new appointment, El-Lissy said, “I am thrilled to serve as the Secretary for one of most premier standard setting organizations in the world. Protecting global plant resources against invasive pests and facilitating safe trade of agriculture products and ultimately feeding the world, is such a noble mission and I am simply humbled and honored to be part of it. I look forward to working very closely with the 184 contracting parties and the commission to implement the IPPC mission in the most effective manner.”….. Tags: Secretary IPPC