FAO Conference resolutions

Resolution

12/97

Amendments to the

International Plant Protection

Convention

THE CONFERENCE

Recalling

its approval of the

International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC)

under Article XIV of the FAO Constitution at its Sixth Session in 1951, which Convention came into force on

3 April 1952

Recalling

its adoption of amendments to the Convention at its Twentieth Session in November 1979 by Resolution 14/79, which amendments came into force on

4 April 1991

Being convinced

of the continued need to protect plant life or health from the spread and introduction of pests,

Noting

the agreements reached as a result of the Uruguay Round of Trade Negotiations and the references in the Agreement on the Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures to the International Plant Protection Convention and international standards guidelines and recommendations developed for connection therewith,

Taking into account

the need for the development of International Phytosanitary Standards to protect plant health without creating unnecessary impediments to the international transportation of plants, plant products and other articles deemed to require phytosanitary measures,

Recalling

the agreement reached at its Twenty-fifth Session in November 1989 on the necessity of establishing a Secretariat within FAO for the International Plant Protection Convention,

Recalling

that at its Twenty-seventh Session in November 1993, as an interim measure, it agreed to authorize the

Director-General

to establish the Committee on Phytosanitary Measures under Article VI.2 of the Constitution, and to establish the procedure that could be followed for the setting of harmonized international standards and guidelines,

Having considered

the work of the Expert Consultation on the Revision of the IPPC held in April 1996, the Technical Consultation on the Revision of the IPPC held in January 1997, the Fourteenth Session of the Committee on Agriculture in April 1997 and the Hundred and Twelfth Session of the Council in June 1997,

Taking note

of the recommendations contained in the report of the African Expert Consultation on the IPPC held in June 1997,

Having examined

the text of the draft amendments to the IPPC endorsed by the

Council

at its Hundred and Twelfth Session in June 1997,

Having considered

the observations contained in the Report of the Sixty-seventh Session of the Committee on Constitutional and Legal Matters held in October 1997 and the Report of the Hundred and Thirteenth Session of Council,

Stressing

that it is in the interest of the international community that the proposed amendments should enter into force without delay,

Noting

that, in accordance with Article XII.4 of the Convention, the amendments will enter into force as from the thirtieth day after acceptance by two thirds of the contracting parties:

Approves

the amendments to the

International Plant Protection Convention

set out in the Revised Text contained in Appendix G;

Takes note

of the agreed interpretation contained in Appendix I;

Requests

the

Director-General

to transmit the revised text incorporating the amendments to the Contracting Parties for their consideration with a view to their acceptance of the amendments;

Urges

the Contracting parties to accept the amendments as early as possible;

Urges

FAO Members and Non-Member States that have not yet done so to adhere to the Convention as early as possible;

Notes

the specific need of developing countries, in particular the least developed countries, for technical assistance in order to enhance their capacity to fulfill their obligations under the Convention and to facilitate its implementation;

Urges

that high priority be given to the provision of reports on the occurrence, outbreak and spread of pests to the Secretary of the IPPC and, underlines the importance of establishing relevant procedures applicable to this reporting;

Agrees

to the establishment of an Interim Commission on Phytosanitary Measures under Article VI. 1 of the FAO Constitution with the Terms of Reference contained in Appendix H;

Agrees

that the present Secretariat to the IPPC shall continue until the amendments come into force and until then shall provide secretariat services to the Interim Commission;

10.

Agrees

that the present standard-setting procedure shall continue until the amendments come into force, or until the interim Commission decides otherwise, except that phytosanitary standards will be considered and adopted by the Interim Commission instead of by the

Committee on Agriculture

Council

and/or the

Conference

;

11.

Agrees

that the Secretariat to the IPPC commence work on International Standards for non quarantine regulated pests;

12.

Allows

the use of the amended phytosanitary certificate as an alternative on voluntary basis among Parties that accept it; and

13.

Requests

Parties to nominate an official contact point, and to communicate its nomination to the

Secretariat

(Adopted on

17 November 1997

)

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