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XXIX. Appendix I. Interpretations as agreed by the thirteenth session of the committee on agriculture

Preamble:

It was understood that "taking into account" (fifth indent) does not result in a legal obligation.

Article II:

The definition of pest was adopted with the understanding that the term "injurious" includes both direct and indirect damage.

It was noted that the use of the term "technically justified" does not automatically require that the rationale for a phytosanitary measure be made immediately and publicly available. Such information is only required on request, under provisions of Article VII. 2 (c) of the revised text.

Article IV:

While the term "consignments" includes non-commercial commodities, such as those carried by passengers, throughout the Convention, Article IV.2 (c) will not be interpreted to mean that official national plant protection organizations have obligations for the inspection of all outgoing passengers.

Article V:

It was understood that the phrase in Article V.2(a) "public officers who are technically qualified and duly authorized by the national plant protection organization" includes officers of that service.

Article X:

To avoid numerous references to standards throughout the text, it was agreed to include in Article X.4 "contracting parties shall undertake all activities related to this Convention in accordance with relevant international standards unless judged inappropriate for reasons that are technically justified".

Article XI:

Article XI.5: It was agreed that the quorum of the Commission should be addressed in the rules of procedure for the Commission. The rules of procedure should also consider the possibility of voting by correspondence.

Article XVII:

The European Community (EC) confirmed that in implementation of Article XVII.3, the EC would, on adhering, be submitting a supplementary declaration describing the division of competencies between the EC and its Member States with respect to matters covered by the IPPC.

MODEL PHYTOSANITARY CERTIFICATE:

The International Standard on the issuance of the Phytosanitary Certificate should be prepared. It should clarify the use and proper completion of the "place of origin".

The statement "they are deemed to be practically free from other pests" represents an option available to the exporting contracting party.

It is recognized that the proposed revision to the certifying statement for the phytosanitary certificate is an interim solution only. It is expected that this statement will be reviewed again as soon as the revised Convention has been adopted by the Conference. The references to "considered to be free from the quarantine pests" and "deemed to be practically free from other pests" should be especially reviewed.


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