At IICA, Latin American phytosanitary protection experts discussed proposed international standards designed to guarantee safe trade in plant-based products

San José, August 31, 2023 (IICA). Nearly one hundred experts from plant protection organizations in Latin America increased their knowhow and discussed the implementation of future international standards designed to minimize the risk of plant pests, including the fruit fly, with a view to achieving  smoother trade in plant-based products under the highest global phytosanitary standards.

This was achieved during the 2023 Regional Workshop for Latin America of the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC), a four-day activity held at the Headquarters of the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) in San José, Costa Rica.

The World Trade Organization (WTO) recognizes the IPPC as a competent international organization for the development of phytosanitary protection standards, guidelines and recommendations for use in international trade in plants and plant-based products.

A hybrid event combining in-person attendance with virtual participation, the meeting brought together 71 experts from national plant protection organizations (NPPOs) in 18 Latin American countries, as well as 22 representatives of regional plant protection organizations (RPPOs) such as the Andean Community (CAN), the Southern Cone Plant Health Committee (COSAVE), the International Regional Organization for Plant and Animal Health (OIRSA), and the IPPC Secretariat, FAO and IICA.

“This year, the theme of the IPPC Regional Workshop for Latin America is ‘Plant health and environmental protection.’ The aim is to integrate the vision and interests of the three Latin American regions represented by OIRSA, CAN and COSAVE, and make a mutually agreed contribution to global plant health,” explained Juan Antonio Rull Gabayet, a specialist from the IPPC Secretariat.

The discussions during the meeting focused on proposed international standards for phytosanitary measures (ISPMs), as well as recommendations and suggestions of interest to the region.

“At IICA we remain totally committed to helping the member countries promote the implementation of international standards, in order to promote safe, smooth trade for their plants and plant-based products,” said the manager of the Institute’s Agricultural Health, Safety and Agrifood Quality (AHFS) Program, José Urdaz.

During the workshop, the participants improved their ability to analyze and prepare topics for consideration that fall within the purview of the IPPC, related to the development and implementation of international standards, and also focused on innovation in plant health for food safety and the sharing of experiences at the regional level.

“The event is held every year and is very important for the Latin American countries because it allows us to share different perspectives and observations on draft international standards circulated for public consultation, which enriches the vision of the countries. Agricultural production is very important for them, and this helps us achieve a shared vision on many issues,” noted Diego Quiroga, a member of the IPPC Bureau and President of COSAVE.

“This year there are issues of strategic importance for the region, such as the implementation of e-certification, e-commerce, the response capacity of countries to emergencies caused by Foc TR4 (Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense Tropical Race 4, a fungus that affects Musaceae such as bananas), as well as other topics. The workshop is being held with the support of the IPPC, and of IICA in particular, which has a very big impact due to its work of cooperation and coordination with the countries of the Americas and at the regional level,” he added.

Groups of experts from the IPPC draft proposed ISPMs, which are analyzed by the countries in order to verify their technical consistency and provide recommendations, taking into account their own interests and situation.

Spaces such as those of the Convention afford the countries an opportunity to make their voices heard on the subject of international standards for trade.

“It is key for the countries. The exchange of ideas on the draft international standards under review allows them to hear firsthand the comments of experts and other countries, and learn about proposed new standards. It also makes it possible to compare ideas and obtain explanations, broadening the countries’ perspective, promoting technical analysis, and strengthening the position of the entire region. The harmonization of regulations is the ultimate goal, because it is crucial to establish a common regulatory framework that facilitates safe trade in agricultural products,” concluded the Director of Phytosanitary Regulation of the National Health, Safety and Agrifood Quality Service of Mexico, Israel Cueto Espinoza.

More information:
Lourdes Fonalleras, IICA International Agricultural Health and Food Safety Specialist.
lourdes.fonalleras@iica.int