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International Plant Protection Convention
In brief, the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) is a multilateral treaty deposited with the Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and administered through the IPPC Secretariat located in FAO's Plant Protection Service. One hundred and thirty four (161) governments are currently contracting parties to the IPPC. The purpose of the IPPC is to secure common and effective action to prevent the spread and introduction of pests of plants and plant products and to promote measures for their control. The Convention provides a framework and forum for international cooperation, harmonization and technical exchange in collaboration with regional and national plant protection organizations (RPPOs and NPPOs). The IPPC plays a vital role in trade as it is the organization recognized by the World Trade Organization in the Agreement on the Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (the WTO-SPS Agreement) as the international standard setting body for International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures (ISPMs). Amendments to the Convention were unanimously adopted by the FAO Conference in November 1997. Fourty four contracting parties have accepted or adhered to the New Revised Text of the IPPC. This revision updates the Convention and reflects the role of the IPPC in relation to the WTO-SPS Agreement, primarily the institutional arrangements for international phytosanitary standard setting. Changes to the IPPC include provisions that:
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