@fao rne Participation of sixteen countries from the region in the workshop

Algiers 7 September 2016: Algiers is hosting the regional workshop for the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) (www.ippc.org) in the Near East and North Africa, taking place from the 5^th to the 8^th of September, with the participation of sixteen countries from the region, in collaboration with the regional office of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the regional Near East Plant Protection Organization (NEPPO).

Dr. Shoqi Aldobai, regional plant protection officer at FAO said : "This workshop is particularly important because it represents a continuity for previous workshops held recently in Tunisia and Europe about reducing the risk of the appearance and spread of the «Xylellafastidiosa» bacteria that threaten olive trees; the workshop is examining as well other pests that pose challenges and imminent threats to the Near East and North Africa region”.

“These workshops are extremely important to exchange experiences about similar challenges, where the specialists will be informed on the best practices in the field of prevention and control of pests alike”, he added.

With the increased international trade, thousands of plants and plant products are being exported across the borders, which favors their infection with pests. Every signatory country of the Convention has a national plant protection organization that is responsible of ensuring that these pests do not spread. 37 International Phytosanitary Standards have been put in place and are currently implemented by various countries. These measures include national guidelines for preparing legislations, lists of pests and conducting survey and pest control programs, diagnosis of plants and plant products at risk of infection, in addition to Pest risk analysis, etc. The implementation of these measures needs increased coordination at a regional scale.

The countries participating in this workshop will exchange valuable information regarding the measures that need to be implemented to prevent the introduction and spread of pests like olive tree killer bacteria for example. The participants will be on the field to observe the methods used to control these threatening bacteria that could potentially destroy 40,000 hectares of olive trees in the Mediterranean basin, and cause problems for around 500,000 farmers.

This initiative showcases great coordination efforts by the FAO, IPPC, NEPPO and countries of the region in the service of the agriculture, environment and local populations.

The IPPC is an international convention bringing together 182 member countries, whose mission is the overview and control plant pests.