IPCC Seeks Comments on Draft ISPM on Commodity Phytosanitary Risk Categorization
The International Plant Protection Convention has posted a draft International Standard for Phytosanitary Measures, Categorization of Commodities According to Their Phytosanitary Risk, for comment by September 30, 2008.
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The standard provides guidance for importing contracting parties on how to categorize commodities according to their phytosanitary risk when considering import requirements. IPCC states that this categorization could be useful in identifying whether further analysis is required or not.
The first stage of categorization is based on whether the commodity has been processed and, if so, the method and degree of processing to which the commodity has been subjected before export. A second stage of categorization of commodities is based on their intended use after import.
(IPPC notes that contaminating pests or storage pests that may become associated with the commodity after processing are not considered in this standard.)
Standard Outlines Four Phytosanitary Risk Categories
This standard outlines the following four different phytosanitary risk categories (two for processed commodities, two for unprocessed commodities) and provides some examples of the methods of processing and the associated resultant commodities:
Category 1. Commodities have been processed to the point where they have no capacity to harbor or spread regulated pests. Hence, no further analysis should be necessary and phytosanitary measures should not be applicable.
Category 2. Commodities have been processed but may still harbor some regulated pests. The intended use may be, for example, consumption or further processing. The National Plant Protection Organization (NPPO) of the importing contracting party may determine that a pest risk analysis (PRA) is necessary. Although commodities in category 2 have been processed, the processing method may not eliminate all regulated pests of concern, and consideration should then be given to the intended use of the commodity in order to evaluate the probability of establishment and spread of the pests. In this case, a PRA may be needed to determine this.
Category 3. Commodities have not been processed and the intended use is, for example, consumption or processing. A PRA should be carried out. Examples of commodities in this category include fresh fruits and vegetables for consumption and cut flowers.
Category 4. Commodities have not been processed and the intended use is planting. A PRA should be carried out. Examples of commodities in this category include propagative material (e.g. cuttings, seeds, seed potatoes and other plants to be planted). The potential of category 4 commodities to introduce or spread regulated pests is higher than that for other intended uses. Therefore a PRA is always needed to establish phytosanitary measures. For this category, some specific phytosanitary measures often already exist.
(See draft ISPM for complete draft requirements.)
Comments on Draft ISPM Due Sept. 30, Encouraged by Sept. 15
The IPCC explains that the deadline for comments is September 30, 2008; however, comments are encouraged to be submitted before September 15, 2008.
NPPOs, Regional Plant Protection Organizations and relevant international organizations are invited to review the draft ISPM and submit their comments, as well as members of the public who should channel their comments through the national official contact points for the respective countries.
(See ITT's Online Archives or 07/10/08 news, 08071000, for BP summary of IPCC's comment request on the draft revised ISPM 15 for wood packaging material.)
Draft version of ISPM (as posted by APHIS, dated June 2008) available at http://www.aphis.usda.gov/import_export/plants/plant_exports/downloads/DraftCategoCommod.pdf
IPCC notice announcing the draft is available for comments available at https://www.ippc.int/servlet/CDSServlet?status=ND0yMDEwNDkmNj1lbiYzMz0qJjM3PWtvcw
Guidelines for submitting comments on draft ISPMs available at https://www.ippc.int/servlet/BinaryDownloaderServlet/203018___________.doc?filename=1214212457088_MC2008_Guidelines_comments_draftISPMs.doc&refID=203018
Template for comments on draft ISPM available at https://www.ippc.int/servlet/BinaryDownloaderServlet/203040_Template_MC2008_Draf.doc?filename=1214902504437_Template_MC2008_Draft2_categor-489887153.doc&refID=203040