Rep o rt of th e tw en - Rotterdam Convention

pre-shipment and quarantine purposes. The delegates were advised not to examine any other substance
which was already being handled in another convention.
6. Overview of the International Plant Protection Convention’s (IPPC)
activities including ICPM-7
Dr Niek Van der Graaff, Chief of Plant Protection Service, FAO Rome reviewed the purpose
of the IPPC and noted its relationship with other relevant organizations. He noted that the IPPC
had 139 contracting parties and that 93 of these had accepted the 1997 amendments. This meant
that the 1997 revised convention would come into force on 2 October 2005. Dr Van der Graaff
then noted the interim measures adopted in 1997, the functions of the ICPM and the bodies established
by the ICPM. Some of the implications of the change from an ICPM to the Commission on
Phytosanitary Measures were described.
Dr Van der Graaff discussed the standard setting programme describing the changes to the
system made by ICPM 7 and the fast track procedure. The standards recently adopted were listed
along with those in the consultation process at the moment. The priorities for standards were noted
from the ICPM members and those proposed by the SPS Committee of the WTO. The work
programmes of the IPP and technical assistance were outlined.
In the following discussion, it was noted that methyl bromide was being used as treatment
of wood packaging materials in some countries. The delegates were informed that the Forest Quarantine
Research Group and the relevant Technical Panel looked into the feasibility of new alternatives by
studying new data that became available from time to time. An alternative treatment might gain
approval should research data become supportive.
The delegates were informed that there was a current focus group looking at the terms of
reference for the international recognition of pest free areas and areas of low pest prevalence. It
also considered innovative ways for funding the IPPC. Among the proposals were mandatory assessed
and voluntary contributions, third-party contributions, or surcharges levied on the issuance of
phytosanitary certificates.
7. Progress in implementation of plant quarantine in Asia and the Pacific
region
Dr Hedley briefly noted some of the developments regarding ISPMs and the ICPM. He
mentioned that the NRT of the IPPC would soon be coming into force. Activities of the past biennium
were noted:
i. The regional workshop on draft ISPMs in Kuala Lumpur 2003 and Bangkok 2004
ii. PCE training workshop in 2004 and 2005, Kuala Lumpur
iii. The development of RSPM No. 3 and RSPM No. 4 (specifications, working groups,
standards committee, consultation)
iv. Regional IPP pilot workshop, followed by regional workshops, Kuala Lumpur 2005
Regarding the Regional Workshop on the International Standards, Pest Risk Analysis and
Phytosanitary Capacity Evaluation (PCE), the delegates were reminded of their obligations and
follow-up actions required. Information pertaining to the workshops should be sent to Ms Asna
Booty Othman in Kuala Lumpur, NPPO Malaysia by the end of October 2005, to enable the tabulation
of proposals for the funding of future projects.
RSPM No. 3 and RSPM No. 4 were adopted under agenda 4.
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