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.
