Forestry guide to the implementation of international phytosanitary standards
Guide to good practices for forest health protection in support of international standards for phytosanitary measures
With increasing global trade, new threats to forest health emerge due to the increased risk and frequency of trade-driven international pest movement. In the last decade several pests have been introduced into other countries and continents through international trade, and these have contributed to the international recognition of the importance of phytosanitary measures.
The International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) is an international treaty to secure action to prevent the spread and introduction of pests of plants and plant products, and to promote appropriate measures for their control. The IPPC is governed by the Commission on Phytosanitary Measures (CPM) which adopts International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures (ISPMs). These standards are developed and approved through an international consultative process, and are recognized under the WTO Agreement on the Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures.
ISPMs provide guidance that is broadly applicable for forest health, monitoring, the safe transfer of germplasm and trade in trees and forest products. FAO is working on a written guide to clarify how these ISPMs apply to forestry. The Guide will interpret the standards relevant to international forestry pest risks into the language and framework of forest health, outlining how generic principles, such as pest risk analysis and surveillance, can be applied by forest health agencies and forest managers at all levels. It will focus on the practical application of the standards in the forest sector. A core group of forest health specialists from around the world has been assembled and engaged in consultations to outline the purpose, scope, objectives, target audience and content of the Guide. The group will be involved in all aspects of the Guide's preparation from conception and drafting to review and finalization. In addition to the Guide, FAO will also develop materials for regional and national training workshops. | MediaSee also |