The Revised International Plant Protection Convention – a New Context for Plant Quarantine

Abstract

The purpose of the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) is to secure cooperation and action to prevent the spread and introduction of pests of plants and plant products and to promote appropriate measures for their control. Under the IPPC, pests include: “any species, strain or biotype of plant, animal or pathogenic agent injurious to plants or plant products”. Although the first version of the IPPC came into force in 1952 it was the recognition of the IPPC by the Sanitary and Phytosanitary Agreement of the World Trade Organization that provided the impetus to revise the IPPC and substantially increase standard setting activities. There are now 170 contracting parties to the IPPC. Under the IPPC, internationally recognised standards covering a wide range of plant protection issues particularly relating to preventing or controlling pests moving internationally have been approved.