REPORT OF
THE TWENTY-FIRST SESSION
OF
THE ASIA AND PACIFIC PLANT PROTECTION COMMISSION

19–23 July 1999
Yogyakarta, Indonesia

1 Opening of the session and organizational matters

1.1 Attendance

The Twenty-First Session of the Asia and Pacific Plant Protection Commission (APPPC) was held in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, from 19 to 23 July 1999. Fifty seven delegates attended from 17 member countries of the Commission namely Australia, Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Republic of Korea, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, New Zealand, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Vietnam. Two delegates from Japan and Singapore attended as observers.

There were also observers from the Pacific Plant Protection Organization and the CAB International. (refer Appendix 1 for the list of participants).

1.2 Introductory remarks by Mr. H. Suharyo Husen, Director of the International Cooperation Bureau, Ministry of Agriculture, Indonesia - Chairman of the organizing committee

Mr. Husen welcomed the formal party to the opening of the Twenty-First Session of the Asia and Pacific Plant Protection Commission on behalf of the organizing committee and briefly outlined the forthcoming programme. He mentioned the field trip to be undertaken where delegates would be able to observe the activities of the Integrated Pest Management Farmers Field School in Argobinangun followed by a visit to the Borobudur temple.

Mr. Husen told the meeting that the Twenty-First Session was being held in close cooperation with the local government and the organizing committee who had done their utmost to assist the FAO in ensuring a successful outcome.

1.3 Welcome address by His Royal Highness Sri Sultan Hamengku Buwono, Governor of Yogyakarta Special Territory Province, Indonesia

Unfortunately Sri Sultan Hamengku Buwono was unable to be present at the opening of the Session, so his welcome address was delivered by Mr. Subekti Suwanti, Executive Secretary of Special Territory Province of Yogyakarta. Sri Sultan welcomed the delegates and observers on behalf of the Provincial Government and people of Yogyakarta and hoped that the peaceful atmosphere of Yogyakarta would help ensure a successful meeting. He commented on the importance of tourism to the province and how this had been able to induce the development of other sectors of the economy (including agriculture) and thus sustain the regional income (agricultural products that had significant contribution to the gross regional domestic income included rice, corn, soybean, watermelon, shallot, chilli and edible mushrooms).

Sri Sultan said that Yogyakarta had commenced an integrated pest management (IPM) programme in 1989 and that this had been steadily developed and implemented. During the 10 years since the start of the national IPM programme, 1,491 Farmers Field Schools had been conducted and 37,275 farmers trained in IPM. Sri Sultan said that Yogyakarta had become a centre of excellence for the IPM programme and that the delegates would have the chance to attend an IPM activity at the farmers' level during the field trip.

1.4 Opening remarks by Dr Ananta Dalodom, Director General of Agriculture, Government of Thailand - Chairman of the APPPC

Dr. Dalodom was unable to be present at the Twenty - First Session, so his opening remarks were read by Mr Somboon Chareonridhi. Dr. Dalodom extended a very sincere appreciation, on behalf of the APPPC, to the Government of Indonesia for hosting the Twenty - First Session. He acknowledged the contribution of Dr. N. A. van der Graaff, Chief, Plant Protection Service, FAO, Rome for his contribution in improving plant protection in the Asia and Pacific region and congratulated Dr. John Hedley, New Zealand, on being elected chair of the Interim Commission on Phytosanitary Measures.

Dr. Dalodom referred to the work undertaken during the previous two years on the revision of the Agreement and hoped that the article on South American leaf blight could be accepted to the satisfaction of the Commission and the review progressed. He also referred to the need for member countries to share information and experience relating to the development and implementation of international standards.

Dr. Dalodom concluded his opening remarks by expressing his appreciation to Prof. C. Y. Shen and Mr. P. K. Saha of the Secretariat staff for their excellent cooperation during his period as chairman of the APPPC.

1.5 Opening remarks by Dr. N. A. van der Graaff, Chief, Plant Protection Service, FAO, Rome

Dr. N. A. van der Graaff welcomed the delegates to the Twenty-First Session of the APPPC on behalf of the FAO Director-General Dr. Jacques Diouf. He expressed the organization's gratitude to the Government of Indonesia for hosting the APPPC Session for the third time and took the opportunity to express the FAO's sincere appreciation to the outgoing chairman of the Commission, Dr. Ananta Dalodom, Director-General, Department of Agriculture, Bangkok, Thailand.

Dr. van der Graaff said that changes in trade and agriculture and the expansion of the area covered by the Agreement had outdated the APPPC Agreement and recognising this, the Twentieth Session of the APPPC had decided to review the Agreement. An Expert Consultation followed by a Member Nations Consultation considered modifications to the Agreement required to bring it in line with the revised text of the International Plant Protection Convention and Agreement on the Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures. A draft amended text had been produced for consideration by the Twenty-First Session. With regard to South American leaf blight (SALB), he said that a compromise text was drafted whereby the measures in Appendix B of the original Agreement were updated and their application was restricted to rubber-producing countries or those having contiguous land borders with such countries. In the draft text the SALB measures were recognised as transitional and would remain in force only until such time as the Commission had developed an appropriate regional standard.

Dr. van der Graaff emphasised the importance of sustainable development and agriculture intensification and how as a consequence, the development of integrated pest management (IPM) in the region remained one of the most important activities undertaken by FAO. He referred to the IPM-Rice project and the Intercountry Programme for IPM in Vegetables in Southeast Asia as being useful models for the implementation of IPM both within and outside the region. Dr. van der Graaff drew the meeting's attention to the need to reduce pesticides to a necessary minimum.

Dr. van der Graaff concluded his opening remarks by emphasising the need for well-integrated plant protection programmes as an integral part of an over-all agricultural development plan in each country. This would help overcome the continuing problems such as: misuse of pesticides leading to health hazards and environmental problems, weeds in traditional farming systems and infra-structural deficiencies in national plant protection organizations.

1.6 Inaugural address by H. E. Prof. Dr Soleh Solahuddin, Minister of Agriculture of the Republic of Indonesia

Dr. Solahuddin opened his inaugural address by warmly welcoming, on behalf of the Government and people of the Republic of Indonesia, the delegates and observers to the Twenty-First Session of the APPPC. He observed that Indonesia had hosted the meeting twice before (the Eighth Session in October 1971 and the Fourteenth Session in 1985) which he felt, indicated international confidence in Indonesia as well the critical role placed on the Commission by the Indonesian Government.

Dr. Solahuddin referred to the economic crisis that had struck Indonesia and commented how the agricultural sector had fared better than other components of the economy. He said the Indonesian Government realised that the agricultural sector should be further developed and modernised. In the short term, Government policy would be to provide food sufficiency for the people of Indonesia and the government had launched programmes to increase rice, corn and soybean production as well as those for fish, livestock and horticulture.

The Government of Indonesia placed great importance on plant protection and in that regard had issued a Presidential Decree declaring a national pest management strategy (namely integrated pest management) for the control of pests of rice. A national IPM programme was launched in 1989 and had been successfully introduced in 12 intensive rice-growing areas by training 520 pest observers, 1,100 field extension officers and 800,000 farmers. Integrated pest management strategies had also been recently introduced for cocoa, coffee, tea, pepper and cotton. Dr. Solahuddin said that besides encouraging farmers to implement IPM, the Ministry of Agriculture had taken necessary steps to manage and control the use of pesticides through inter alia tightening registration requirements and re-evaluating all registered pesticides.

Dr. Solahuddin said that Indonesia was strongly committed to improving its quarantine system in anticipation of quarantine's strategic role in the future. Indonesia believed that access to future international markets would depend on the ability of the products to meet the quarantine requirements of the importing country. To assist with this, the government was among other things, developing “in-line export certification” programmes.

The Plant Protection Agreement for the Asia and Pacific Region was viewed by Indonesia as being one of the main instruments of international cooperation in the area of plant protection. Dr. Solahuddin referred to the current revision of the Agreement and the importance of the issue of South American leaf blight on the rubber producing countries of the region. He hoped the issues could be resolved and the revised text adopted unanimously.

Dr. Solahuddin concluded his inaugural address by expressing his confidence in the ability of the delegates to successfully deliberate on the issues facing them and on that note declared the Twenty-First Session of the Asia and Pacific Plant Protection Commission open.

2 Election of the chairman and vice-chairman of the Twenty First Session, the drafting committee and the adoption of the provisional agenda and timetable (Agenda item No. 1)

2.1 Election of the chairman and vice chairmen of the Twenty-First Session

Dr. Charil Anwar Rasahan, Indonesia, was elected chair for the Twenty First Session of the APPPC.

The elected vice-chairmen were:

2.2 Election of the drafting committee

Mr. R. Ivess (New Zealand) was elected chairman of the drafting committee. Other members were:

The Chairman of the drafting committee received substantial support from Dr. Michael Ormsby (New Zealand) with the preparation of the report.

2.3 Adoption of the provisional agenda and timetable

Professor Chong-Yao Shen, Executive Secretary of the Commission explained that because of the need to concentrate efforts on the revision of the Plant Protection Agreement for the Asia and Pacific region, time spent on country reports (Agenda item 3) would be limited to 5 minutes each. Agenda item 4 (Revision of the Plant Protection Agreement for the Asia and Pacific region) was transferred to the Tuesday afternoon session. With this amendment, the draft agenda was adopted.

3 Secretariat report on action taken on recommendations of the Twentieth Session of the Commission (Agenda item No. 2)

Professor Chong-Yao Shen, Executive Secretary of the APPPC, reported on the activities of the Secretariat and the Working Groups since the Twentieth Session of the Commission and the Thirty-fifth Meeting of the Executive Committee of the Commission.

(i) Present status of the Plant Protection Agreement for the Asia and Pacific Region

The Twenty-eighth Session of the FAO Conference (Rome, 7–18 November 1997), recognising the importance of moving towards increased self-financing for Statutory Bodies that had regional focus, and of enhancing the responsiveness of those bodies to the needs of their Members, decided that in general, Executive Committees should cease to be listed as formal Statutory Bodies in the Directory of FAO Statutory Bodies. The implication of this was that the Executive Committee of the APPPC would be disestablished (this was discussed later in the Session).

The United Kingdom informed the Director-General of the FAO that as from the date that the UK Government restored Hong Kong to the People's Republic of China, it had ceased to be responsible for the international rights and obligations arising from the application of the Plant Protection Agreement for Asia and the Pacific region and thus could no longer be considered a contracting party to the Agreement. This reduced the number of parties to the Agreement to 25.

Bhutan, Japan, USA (FAO member countries) and Singapore (non-FAO Member) had shown interest to become parties to the Agreement.

Since the Twentieth Session, New Zealand (and possibly Malaysia) was the only additional country to accept the amendment relating to the financing of the activities of the Commission. This brought the number of countries that had accepted the amendment to nine (Australia, Bangladesh, China, India, Indonesia, Republic of Korea, New Zealand, Pakistan and Sri Lanka) with the requirement of acceptance by another nine countries (two thirds) before the amendment could enter into force (Note: The amendment to the Agreement was transmitted to all Members, by the FAO Director-General in 1984).

(ii) Revision of the Plant Protection Agreement of the Asia and Pacific Region

The main priority of the 1998–1999 APPPC work plan was the revision of the Agreement. Members views were canvassed and a Working Group meeting (20–24 April 1998) organised by the Secretariat to develop the first draft. Fourteen countries' comments were reviewed by the Working Party and it was agreed to suggest for consideration by the Commission the inclusion of further articles namely those concerned with a Preamble, the creation of sub-Commissions, the continuation of links with the FAO, the provision for being able to develop regional standards and a new article on international cooperation. However the Working Group could not reach agreement on the article concerning measures to exclude South American leaf blight (SALB) from the region and had to resort to the draft containing three alternatives to accommodate the various views of the Members. A further consultation (Member Nations' Consultation) was organised and held in Bangkok from 8–12 February 1999. The Consultation agreed in principle with the restructuring and modernisation of the Agreement (in line with the revised text of the International Plant Protection Organization) and reached a compromise on the issue of SALB (measures in the Appendix would be restricted to rubber producing countries and those with contiguous borders and be recognised as transitional until the Commission had developed an appropriate regional standard) for consideration by the Twenty-First Session.

(iii) Development of Integrated Pest Management Programme in the Region

Twelve APPPC member countries were actively participating in the development programme of the fourth phase of the Regional IPM Rice Project (the FAO Programme for Community IPM in Asia). The Regional IPM - Vegetable Project (namely the Inter-Country Programme for IPM in Vegetables in South and Southeast Asia) had been extended by three to now include seven APPPC member countries.

The first issue of the IPM newsletter was published in December 1998. The purpose of the newsletter was to support information-sharing activities among the APPPC Members and to increase awareness of developments in IPM training programmes within the region.

(iv) Implementation of the Rotterdam Convention on the prior informed consent procedure for certain hazardous chemicals and pesticides in international trade

During 10–11 September 1998 a Conference of Plenipotentiaries on the Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure (PIC) for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Residues in International Trade was held. Following this the FAO Regional Office co-organised a Regional Awareness Workshop (held on 8–11 December 1998) on the outcomes of the “Rotterdam Convention”. The main issues of the Workshop were to raise awareness of the major elements of the new PIC Convention and its interim arrangements, including changes to the voluntary PIC procedure, obligations arising out of the Convention and to strengthen the cooperation among the countries in the region. The Workshop was attended by 26 delegates from 15 Asian countries.

(v) Participation in the first meeting of the Interim Commission on Phytosanitary Measures, Rome, November 1998

The APPPC was well represented by 17 member countries at the first meeting of the FAO Interim Commission on Phytosanitary Measures (ICPM) which was held in Rome from 3–6 November 1998. Two international standards were endorsed by the ICPM; the Determination of Pest Status in an Area, and Guidelines for Pest Eradication Programmes. Dr John Hedley from New Zealand was elected chairperson and Dr Radhey Shyam from India elected as one of the vice chairpersons.

(vi) Participation in the Ninth and Tenth Technical Consultation among Regional Plant Protection Organizations

The Executive Secretary of the Commission and representatives from the Republic of Korea and New Zealand constituted the APPPC delegation to the Ninth Technical Consultation among Regional Plant Protection Organizations (RPPO), which was held in Brasilia, Brazil in September 1997. The Consultation discussed the proposed revised IPPC (it was felt that some clarification was required on certain legal issues and clarification as to whether there were any new obligations for contracting parties), the establishment of the ICPM, the role of RPPOs under the revised IPPC and priorities for the development of international standards for phytosanitary measures.

The Tenth Technical Consultation among Regional Plant Protection Organizations (Rome, 9–10 November 1998) was held directly after the meeting of the ICPM and the APPPC was represented by Australia, China, India, the Republic of Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand, the Phillippines, Thailand and Vietnam. Two papers, i.e. Reporting obligations, and the Appropriate level of protection, were discussed. The Consultation also discussed the definition of official control.

(vii) Participation in the Second meeting of the Pacific Plant Protection Organization

The Executive Secretary attended the second meeting of the Pacific Plant Protection Organization (PPPO), held in Nadi, Fiji from 2–5 March 1998. He briefly introduced the background and implementation of the revision of the Plant Protection Agreement for the Asia and Pacific Region. The meeting inter alia discussed the implications of the revised IPPC on the region and the distribution of Bemisia tabaci biotype B within the Pacific region.

The Session endorsed the Executive Secretary's report.

4 Country, Regional and International Organization Reports (Agenda item No. 3)

4.1 Country reports

4.1.1 Australia

The country report for Australia was presented by Dr. B. Ikin. He explained that in response to the Nairn Review of quarantine decision making, the Australian Government through AQIS had provided additional resources to implement a number of activities to strengthen the risk analysis process and improve communication with affected parties. A National Office for Animal and Plant Health was created to provide national coordination of pest incursion management, pest surveillance and contingency planning.

The exotic pests recorded as incursions since the last meeting included; papaya fruit fly, Philippines fruit fly, Panama disease, and apple fire blight. These were all eradicated. A number of pests were still under active control.

AQIS conducted pest risk analysis in accordance with international standards and had completed those to permit access for Korean pears, Chinese pears, and Japanese apples. Details of PRAs in train and final PRA reports were available on the AQIS website (www.aqis.gov.au). Conditions for import into Australia were also available as ICON on the site.

AQIS had been active in providing training to member countries of the APPPC through formal courses in Australia, overseas and through attachment to the workplace. A course was arranged in June 1999 (held in Cairns) for members of APEC on pest risk analysis

The Northern Australian Quarantine Strategy continued to actively cooperate with PNG and Indonesia on pest surveillance in their countries, development of data sheets for targeted pests, and to undertake a comprehensive public awareness campaign in order to develop strategies for incursion from Australia's northern neighbours.

4.1.2 Bangladesh

The country report for Bangladesh was presented by Mr. Emdadul Hoque Khandker. He reported that Agriculture played a key role in the economy of Bangladesh and that pests were one of the major constraints to agricultural production (the annual yield loss in rice was estimated at 10–15%).

Until 1985 there had been a separate Plant Protection Department in Bangladesh but since then, Plant Protection had become a section of the Department of Agricultural Extension. The Director, Plant Protection was head of the section and was assisted by one Assistant Director and four Deputy Directors. The section had four major areas, i.e. Operation and Maintenance, Plant Quarantine, Pest Surveillance and Forecasting, and Pesticide Administration and Quality Control, that managed the overall plant protection activities of the country.

Until 1996, stemborer and rice hispa were the major rice pests, but in 1997 and 1998 brown plant hopper (BPH) (Nilaparvata lugens) emerged as the major pest in about 10 districts and caused partial damage to about 5,000 hectares. Chemical control measures were implemented against the pest and some farmers used light traps to control adults. The plant Protection section of the Department of Agricultural Extension had developed some strategies to prevent the outbreak of insect pest and disease.

The extension service had been strengthened in light of integrated pest management (IPM). Sufficient numbers of sweeping nets and Petromax had been supplied to farmers in pest prone areas. Training programmes and workshops had been arranged for both extension staff and farmers. IPM activities had been extended to about 240 thanas (sub-districts) of 40 districts through 2 major projects funded by UNDP and DANIDA. About 250 Subject Matter Officers (SMOs), 500 Plant Protection Inspectors (PPIs) and Block supervisors (BSs) had been trained through 15 “training of trainers” (TOT) and about 2000 farmer field schools (FFSs) had been established for both rice and vegetables. A national IPM policy had been drafted which would be finalised in the near future. A new project in cotton IPM had been approved and would be funded by the European Community. A national IPM system was soon to be established.

A national Plant Quarantine Service had been working under the Plant Protection section and more emphasis had been given to this through the SPS project funded by DANIDA. This project was also supporting the national Plant Protection policy and included pest forecasting and an early warning system.

Eighty-three different pesticides with 211 trade name had been registered in Bangladesh. Some of the locally prepared bio-pesticides were used by the farmers. Bio-pesticides specially prepared from neem were to be imported.

Field staff had been trained on plant protection measures by both local and international trainers.

4.1.3 Cambodia

The country report for Cambodia was presented by Mr Nuth Sakhan. Mr Sakhan told the meeting that in the second mandate (1998–2003), the Royal Government of Cambodia set up clear objectives for the development of agriculture in parallel with the national policies. This was to ensure security and the conservation of natural resources, and plant protection would play an important role in achieving this policy. Activities to achieve the above would include: defining legislation for a regulatory framework for pesticides and plant quarantine; research on major crop pests using the participatory approach involving farmers and extension workers through the IPM Farmer Field Schools (involved the identification of all important insect pests, diseases and weeds, followed by recommendation for their safe control); and capacity building through specialist training courses. However, most of these activities had been reached by close cooperation with international organizations and non-government organizations.

Rats, army worm, brown plant hopper (BPH) and grasshopper were the major pests on rice. Since 1994, BPH outbreak had occurred almost every year, especially during the early wet season, on seedbeds. Diamond back moth (DBM) was also reported as a major pest on vegetable crops.

The biological control agent (Cotesia plutella) was introduced via the CLV Network, to control DBM, in the research station, as a means of classical biological control. The intention was to expand the programme to farm level through the National IPM Programme. Golden snail, black bug, and weevil were recognised as new pests (golden snail had yet to be found in rice fields - so far it had only found in ponds or tanks).

The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries had established an agricultural standard Bureau to implement the sub-decree on agricultural materials. The Bureau played an important role as a registration service and heavy penalties were imposed on persons who adulterated such materials.

The National IPM Programme was established in 1993 and a Farmer Field School model developed by FAO-ICP adopted and adapted to suit local condition.

Plant Quarantine in Cambodia had the primary function of preventing the entry and spread of exotic pests into the country. There were eight plant quarantine checkpoints employing 50 plant quarantine officers.

Research in Cambodia was undertaken to determine which pests, diseases, and weeds were present in Cambodia's rice fields in order to develop techniques for managing these.

4.1.4 China

The country report for the Peoples Republic of China was presented by Mr Piao Yong-Fan. He explained that integrated pest management in rice had been significantly promoted in recent years and that two “training of trainers” with 230 Farmers Field Schools were held in 1998 and more than 6300 farmers were trained.

The government restricted and limited the use of highly toxic pesticides in rice and vegetables. The State Economic and Trade Commission had issued a list of outdated agro-chemical technology and products including pesticides that it intended to ban by the year 2000.

After national institutional reform in 1998, the Ministry of Agriculture (MOA), State Administration of Forestry and the State Administration of Entry-Exit Inspection and Quarantine had responsibilities in plant quarantine. During the past two years, twelve announcements and orders of the MOA on plant quarantine had been issued. These included bananas, sweet cherry, apples, actinidia and grapes (and others) that were imported from several countries.

4.1.5 India

The report for India was presented by Dr. A.D. Pawar. He said that in India, the Union Ministry of Agriculture formulated and implemented national policies and programmes for achieving rapid agricultural growth with emphasis on food security and sustainability. This was mainly achieved through crop production programmes, most significantly integrated pest management (IPM), under the Union Department of Agriculture and Cooperation, the Indian Council of Agricultural Research, State Agricultural Universities and Departments of Agriculture.

Since 1983, IPM packages for 20 crops had been developed with increasing emphasis on the use of biopesticides, conservation and the use of biocontrol agents and host resistance along with cultural practices. 857 training trainers through 27 SLT, 25, 134 field officers, and 171,683 farmers in IPM through 5702 Farmers' Field Schools (conducted by 26 Central Integrated Pest Management Centres) were trained. Pest monitoring, biological control, use of biopesticides and host resistance continued to be major activities of the IPM programme.

In 1998–99 pest outbreaks of brown plant hopper and rice tungru viroid were reported on rice, eriophid mite on coconut, and in 1997–98 Helicoverpa armigera on redgram and cotton.

Locust surveillance and monitoring occurred over 2,000,000 square km of scheduled desert area by five Circle offices and 23 Outposts of the Locust Warning Organization. Locust breeding and across-border locust swarms were kept under control during 1997–98 and 1998–99.

Twenty-six plant quarantine and fumigation stations maintained vigil against the entry of exotic pests, diseases, and weeds. The Plants, Fruits and Seeds Order 1989 issued under the Destructive Insects and Pests Act 1914 is currently under revision to bring it into line with current WTO and SPS Agreement requirements. Pest risk analysis had been initiated on identified crops and completed on grapes, mangoes and soybean.

The Insecticides Act 1968 included in a schedule, 593 pesticides of which 152 had been registered on a regular basis. As a result of review, 20 pesticides had been banned, 18 refused registration, 10 restricted in their use, and another 28 were under review. Ninety five percent of pesticide demand was met through domestic production with 46 State Pesticide Testing Laboratories enforcing quality control. Pesticide consumption had decreased from 63,651t in 1993–94 to 52,239 t during 1997–98 due to prohibition and the effect of IPM programmes. Two UNDP projects entitled “Development and Strengthening of IPM in India” and “Development and Strengthening of Plant Quarantine Facilities” were functioning effectively.

4.1.6 Indonesia

The report for Indonesia was presented by Mr Hardjono, Director of the Centre for Agricultural Quarantine. He reported that changes had been made to the national plant protection organization. The Directorate of Estate Crops Protection, which previously was under the Ministry of Agriculture, had been transferred to the Ministry of Forestry and Estate Crops. The Centre for Agricultural Quarantine, which was formerly under the direct supervision of the Minister of Agriculture, had been transferred to the Agency of Agribusiness.

Outbreaks of locusts on rice, sugarcane, and maize; brown plant hopper, tungro disease, stemborer, and rats on rice; root-rot disease of rubber; and cocoa pod borer had been reported in a number of crop production centres over the past two years.

As of November 1998, a total of 837,366 farmers had been trained by the IPM Project on Rice, Secondary Food Crops, and Vegetables, together with 25,647 farmer trainers, 791 field pest observers, and 1,799 field extension workers. The implementation of IPM programme for estate crops covered cocoa, pepper, tea, coffee, and cotton.

Over the last few years the Government, researchers, and farmers had given more attention to the utilisation of biological pesticides and control agents. A number of biological pesticides and biological control agents were now available for use by farmers.

Over the past two years a number of research projects into plant protection and quarantine had been completed and Indonesian plant protection and quarantine personnel had attended a number of international meetings, symposia, seminars, workshops, and training programmes. Several meetings, seminars and training programmes in plant protection and quarantine had also been conducted at the national level.

4.1.7 Republic of Korea

The report for the Republic of Korea was presented by Dr. Baek, Jong-ho. He told the meeting that the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry had established the Sustainable Agriculture Promotion Act in 1997 to enable environment-friendly farming. The Ministry also encouraged farmers to use Integrated Pest Management (IPM) and Integrated Nutrient Management (INM). As part of the IPM programme in Korea, during 1997–1998, 500 IPM trainers and 4,600 farmers were trained and 14 IPM trainers were trained overseas.

With the implementation of WTO/SPS Agreement, the Republic of Korea revised the Plant Protection Act in December 6, 1995 and February 8, 1999, to harmonize with international standards.

Plant protection activities in Korea have been conducted by organizations; the Rural Development Administration (RDA) and the National Plant Quarantine Service (NPQS). The RDA carries out monitoring and control activities on domestic pests while the NPQS was responsible for plant quarantine in Korea. The NPQS has 365 personnel including those based at headquarters; two post entry quarantine stations, five branch offices and 18 sub-branch offices.

The major diseases recorded on rice were sheath rot, blast, bacteria blight and bacterial grain rot. The total acreage of crops affected by diseases during 1997 and 1998 was less than the average with the exception of bacterial grain rot. The major insect pests on rice were white plant hopper, brown plant hopper, rice water weevil and rice leaf roller. Total acreage of crops affected by pests was gradually decreasing with the exception of rice water weevil and rice leaf roller. Exotic pests introduced in the 1990s, e.g. palm thrips, western flower thrips, American serpentine leaf miner, and vegetable weevil were gradually increasing.

4.1.8 Laos

The report for Laos was presented by Mrs. Khamphoui Luanglath. Mrs. Luanglath said that plant protection was the responsibility of a Division within the Department of Agriculture, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF).

Integrated pest management (IPM) programmes, supported by the FAO, had been implemented in Laos. To date, 2,850 farmers had received training on pest control of rice and 61 government officials had become IPM trainers.

Since the last Session of the APPPC, golden snails had been reported as a new pest.

Pesticide use in agriculture was limited compared with that of developed countries and all pesticides were imported. In 1992, MAF approved the implementation of a pesticide regulation which was revised in 1998. The purpose of the regulation was to control the importation of low quality pesticides and those pesticides prohibited for use in other countries. This regulations currently lists 26 banned pesticides.

In Laos regulations enable the establishment of a plant quarantine system in order to prevent the introduction into and spread within the country of injurious plant pests and diseases.

4.1.9 Malaysia

The report for Malaysia was presented by Mr. Zulkifli Ayob. He said that the agricultural sector contributed 3.5% of the growth rate of Malaysia's GDP. Among the major contributors to the foreign exchange were palm oil (20 billion R. M.) and rubber (12.8 billion R. M.). Five hundred thousand farm families were dependent on those crops (300,000 were dependent on rubber and 200,000 on oil palm) and that excluded those involved in downstream activities. The importance of agriculture was reflected by the recently launched New Agricultural Policy which had among its objectives, enhancing food security, increased productivity and the creation of new sources for the growth of the sector. Emphasis was now on the increased production of palm oil and other high value crops.

A national IPM committee was formed in 1988. Integrated pest management was to be the main strategy for crop protection in Malaysia. This would help to enable the preservation of ecological balance and sustainable agricultural development.

The Crop Protection and Plant Quarantine Divisions of the Department of Agriculture reviewed the Plant Quarantine Act 1976 and Plant Quarantine Regulations 1981 in order to ensure compliance with the WTO international trade agreement. The Crop Protection Division was the agency responsible for undertaking PRAS and for the outcome of the these.

Pesticides were regulated under the 1974 Pesticide Registration Rules 1976 and Pesticide Importation for Educational or Research Purposes Rule 1981. From 1996–1998, 1983 different pesticides were registered.

Being dependent on the contribution of Rubber and oil palm to the economy, Malaysia feels that Appendix B of the APPPC Agreement should be retained until such time as enough research and a proper PRA have been completed in order to ensure to all rubber growing countries that it would be safe to import materials from SALB countries.

4.1.10 Myanmar

The report for Myanmar was presented by Ms. May May Khin. Ms Khin said that in Myanmar, the Plant Protection Division of the Myanmar Agriculture Service, Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation was responsible for pesticide registration; residue and quality analysis; plant quarantine; pest, disease and weed control measures; and the implementation of integrated pest management programmes.

An outbreak of white-backed plant hopper recently occurred in ten Divisions and affected 88,000 acres. The estimated yield loss ranged from 2–20% (12% average). The control strategy for diamond back moth (Plutella xylostella) on cabbage using the male sterile technique continued. Release of sterile males in cabbage fields showed lower insect population than the control fields. The effective release percentage was 50–70% in lower Myanmar.

The entomopathogen, Metarhizium anisopliae, looked promising for the control of white grub (Holotrichia spp.) under laboratory conditions. However, field application trials were still in progress. A cost effective rearing method on rice had been established in the laboratory (five to seven grams of spores can be cultivated from 150 g of rice). Among the local M. anisopliae strains, MM A-5 was found to be the most virulent to groundnut chafer beetles in laboratory tests.

A further plant quarantine station had been established in 1999, situated at Myawady, bordering with Thailand. The development of Plant Quarantine Regulations was still in progress.

Use of chemical pesticides was steadily increasing, but was being controlled by the Pesticide Law.

4.1.11 Nepal

The report for Nepal was presented by Mrs. R.B. Pradhan. She said that the 20 year Agricultural Perspective Plan (APP) (1995–2015) and the current ninth five-year plan (1997– 2002) which had been formulated to implement the priorities of the APP, recognised integrated pest management (IPM) as a priority programme and had been endorsed as a national strategy for plant protection. Significant progress had been achieved in the implementation of the IPM program in rice, especially as a result of the commencement of the TCP project on IPM in rice in March 1997. Since that date, a cadre of 35 master IPM field trainers was prepared in the Department of Agriculture. Sixty Farmer Field Schools (FFSs) had been conducted on rice, through which 1257 farmers (35% of them women) had been trained. Nepal became a full-fledged member of the FAO programme for community IPM in Asia in January 1999.

The Nepal Agricultural Research Council (NARC) was the lead agency for research in plant protection. The Department of Agriculture undertook functions related to pest control, plant quarantine and the enforcement of pesticide regulations. The national focal point for the plant protection programmes was the Plant Protection Division of the Department of Agriculture which operates with the help of a network of central and grass root organizations, including regional plant protection laboratories.

More aggressive interventions by governmental institutions in the enforcement of pesticide regulations has discouraged the use of hazardous chemicals. Twenty-five of 27 chemicals (excluding methyl parathion and monocrotophos) have been banned through legislation.

The existing Plant Quarantine Regulations were in the process of being amended to meet the requirements of WTO. Lack of training in essential areas, particularly those related to pest risk analysis and pesticide analysis, was among a number of major constraints to strengthening the plant protection programme. Nepal, in general, agrees with the draft Revision of the Agreement of the APPPC.

4.1.12 New Zealand

The report for New Zealand was presented by Mr. Richard lvess. He described the organizational changes that had occurred since the last meeting and explained that the section of the New Zealand Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF) responsible for plant protection was the MAF Biosecurity Authority. Within the Biosecurity Authority, the Director, Plants Biosecurity was responsible for horticultural and arable crops and the Director, Forestry Biosecurity was responsible for forest plants/products.

The requirements for the importation and clearance of cut flowers into New Zealand had been reviewed and new standards for these activities had been issued in May 1999. Import health standards, developed on a commodity: country basis, that listed the requirements to be met prior to produce being cleared for entry into New Zealand continued to be developed for a range of crops and countries.

Pesticide production in New Zealand was limited to the formulation of end use products, using active ingredients and other constituents imported from overseas manufacturers.

4.1.13 Pakistan

The report for Pakistan was presented by Dr. M.D. Moshin. He said that the major crops grown in Pakistan were cereals, cotton, sugarcane, and assorted fruits. Significant insect pests included cotton bollworms, whiteflies, jassids, stem borers of rice, sugarcane and maize, apple codling moth, and fruit flies. Common diseases include powdery mildew, bunchy top and cotton leaf curl.

Plant protection activities were well organised. Two regulations, namely the Plant Quarantine Act 1976 and the Agriculture Pesticide Ordinance Act 1971 (amended 1992), were implemented. Plant quarantine rules had been aligned with the SPS Agreement.

Integrated pest management (IPM) programmes on sugarcane, rice and cotton were in their initial stages of implementation. Training on IPM was done regularly.

Registered pesticides were imported from diversified sources. In 1997 and 1998 approximately 38,000 t and 41000 t were imported and of this, approximately 80% was used on cotton. Twenty-three toxic pesticides were banned. Other than Aluminium Phosphide there were no pesticides manufactured in Pakistan. The use of bio-pesticides is increasing.

The Department of Plant Protection maintains 21 aircraft for survey and locust control activities supported by a permanent office established in the desert area. Pest survey and forecasting is developing especially well in the Punjab Province and farmers are advised through electronic and printing media to adopt timely control measures. Out breaks of American boll-worm (Helicoverpa armigera) on cotton, leaf folder (Cnaphalocrocis medinalis) and grass hoppers on rice.

4.1.14 Papua New Guinea

The report for Papua New Guinea (PNG) was presented by Mr. Elijah Philemon. He reported that the Plant Protection Service (PPS) of PNG had shifted its emphasis to be more quarantine oriented and had been absorbed by the National Agriculture Quarantine and Inspection Authority (NAQIA). The NAQIA was responsible for all quarantine related concerns and with trade facilitation, so would continue in its endeavour to maintain the plant health status of the country, in particular to protect the agricultural industries from the many exotic pests, diseases and weeds of quarantine importance.

PNG had adopted the “systems” approach to pest risk management for imported plants and plant products. The system allowed them to develop treatment protocols prior to importing goods. The system seemed to be working well as no exotic pests or diseases had been introduced into PNG and no disputes had arisen between contracting parties.

The PPS (as part of the NAQIA) would continue to be engaged in collaborative projects and programmes (restricted to plant protection and quarantine) with individual countries, regions and the International community.

PNG considered trans-border plant quarantine to be an important strategy as a means of excluding the introduction of exotic pests into PNG and felt that this concept should be extended to include PNG and Indonesia.

4.1.15 Philippines

Although the Philippines were not present at the meeting a country report was supplied to the Executive Secretary.

In the Philippines, new approaches were being developed for plant protection particularly harmonization of plant quarantine. This was mainly achieved by improving phytosanitary measures, equipping laboratories, manpower development and building rehabilitations. The draft revision of Plant Quarantine was further modified in line with international standards and guidelines. Some regulations were being updated for deliberation to conform the need of the current situation.

A group of four Plant Quarantine Staff undertook internal pest risk analyses (PRAs). Despite the lack of training, they conducted qualitative risk analyses and submitted the draft analyses for further evaluation to an external PRA team, composed of five persons from the academic and research institutions plus two plant quarantine experts. The external team then submitted their results back to the internal team.

In Guimaras Island, Australian and American entomologists surveyed the island for the presence of mango pulp weevil with a negative result (i.e. mango pulp weevil was not detected).

The Philippines supported the draft text of the revision of the Asia and Pacific Plant Protection Commission (APPPC) agreement.

4.1.16 Sri Lanka

The report for Sri Lanka was presented by Dr. S. L. Weerasena. He said that the most significant happening in plant protection in Sri Lanka was the impending implementation of a new Plant Protection Act (1999), which would replace the 1924 legislation. The Bill was to be presented in Parliament on July 22, 1999 for enactment.

Two new pest outbreaks were recorded. These were a leaf miner, Liriomyza huidobrensis, that affected vegetable and potatoes grown in the cool hilly regions of the country and a new coconut mite, Aceria guerreronis, which had developed into an epidemic and became a threat to coconut (an important plantation crop). The leaf miner was being managed by the use of parasitoides, and legislative control measures were enacted for the coconut mite (together with chemical methods and the use of a parasitoid).

Sri Lanka appreciated the aid given by Japanese Government through their JICA programme for the establishment of the Sri Lanka National Plant Quarantine Service and for technical assistance over a 5-year period ending in June, 1999.

4.1.17 Thailand

The report for Thailand was presented by Mr. Somboon Charoenridhi. He told the meeting that the Thailand plant protection strategy continued to focus on the reduction of chemical pesticides used by farmers. The Department of Agriculture began to implement good agricultural practice at the beginning of 1999 aimed at improving the quality of agricultural produce (as well as other associated benefits such as providing high economic returns, ensuring safe handling techniques, maximising efficiency in utilising natural resources, promoting sustainable agriculture and minimising the risk on the environment). The strategy encouraged the farmers to use pest resistant varieties, utilise biological control agents and improve cultural practices for pest control. Pesticide application should be used as the last resort.

There were no outbreaks of any major pests or diseases during the previous two years.

Changes were made in the plant protection organization in order to improve the operation. The Pesticide Regulatory Sub-Division was transferred from the Agricultural Regulatory Division to the Agricultural Toxic Substance Division in order to speed up the registration process. Two new plant protection units, namely the Bio-pesticide Research unit and the Pesticide Free Vegetable Production unit, were established to carry out research on field practices.

The Plant Quarantine Act was amended with the main aim being to increase the transparency of the regulatory system relating to the prohibition/restriction of the importation of plants, plant products and other regulated articles into the country. The amended articles also provided the opportunity for the officer to control the level of contamination of pests in specified plant products for export (even at the farm level).

4.1.18 Vietnam

The report for Vietnam was presented by Mr. Dam Quoc Tru. He said that during the previous two years (1997–1998), Vietnam continued to make progress in agricultural production. Gross output of food reached 30.5 million tonnes in 1997 and 32 million tonnes in 1998. National food security was assured. The Plant Protection Service played an active role, contributing to the sustainability of agricultural production in Vietnam.

Pest outbreaks in general were at lower levels. Major pests in the past 2 years included: brown plant hopper, rice blast and golden snails. Rats caused damage on a large scale. Pine caterpillar Dendrolimus punctatus infested pine plantations. The sugarcane white leaf disease (caused by a mycoplasma) was recorded on imported varieties.

Pest control and extension activities continued to emphasise farmer training and education. Considerable achievements had been made in the implementation of IPM, which was launched in 1992 under the support of FAO/IPM Programme. To date, approximately 1,500 trainers and over 400,000 farmers had been trained on IPM in rice. Integrated pest management on other crops such as vegetables, cotton, tea and soybean, had been implemented with promising results. A community IPM programme had also been developed.

Plant Quarantine services were enforced by the Plant Quarantine Decree and Regulations which were currently under review to ensure consistency with the IPPC, the SPS Agreement and the APPPC Agreement. Vietnam was also involved in the harmonization of SPS measures in ASEAN, aimed at facilitating trade in agricultural produce. A pest risk analysis (PRA) team was also established to promote the development of PRA in Vietnam.

With regards to pesticides, as at February 1999, a total of 249 active ingredients with 697 trade names were registered. Twenty-six active ingredients with 36 trade names were restricted for use and a further 26 active ingredients were banned for use in Vietnam. Methamidophos, monocrotophos and phosphamidon had been banned for use since August 1998. More than 90% of pesticides used in Vietnam were imported.

4.2 Observers

4.2.1 Japan

Mr. Kazuo Okutomi presented a report on the current situation of pant protection in Japan. He explained that as Japan is one of the world's major import of agricultural products the government is concerned about the introduction of pests into the country. Japan has developed relevant systems to ensure plant quarantine was efficiently operated implemented appropriate phytosanitary measures.

4.2.2 CAB International (CABI)

CABI had recently launched the Global Module of Crop Protection Compendium, which was the extended version of Crop Protection Module 1 (for Southeast Asia) covering full data sheets for over 1,500 pests, diseases, weeds, and natural enemies of more than 150 crops and 150 countries.

CABI would continue to play an active role, in partnership with national and regional plant protection institutions in the Asia and Pacific region and with the support from funding agencies, organize several activities related to plant protection eg. implementing projects, training courses/workshops, and information dissemination.

4.2.3 The Pacific Plant Protection Organization (PPO)

Dr. Bob Ikin, Chairman of the PPPO, reported on the content of the Second PPPO Session and the Executive Committee Meeting held in Nadi, Fiji in March 1998. The agenda of the meeting had included discussion of the implications of the new text of the IPPC and the upcoming ICPM meeting, the implications of the revision of the APPPC, reports on a survey of the region for whiteflies (particularly Bemisia tabaci Strain B) and the activities of the Regional fruit fly project.

Priority activities for the PPPO were the development of a simplified pest risk analysis procedure, based on ISPM#2, training in the use of this system, a survey to gauge the capacity of counties to develop the “systems approach” as an alternative to methyl bromide treatment and the eradication of fruit flies wherever possible.

The Executive Committee discussed the need for a simplified method of ISPM development and approval, and developed a scheme which modified the FAO proposal and reduced the role of RPPOs. This system had been presented at the ICPM meeting in November 1998 and had been used as a discussion point for the ICPM Standards development working group which met in Montevideo in February 1999.

With the financial support from Australia and New Zealand and with technical support of the Regional fruit fly project, a programme was implemented in Nauru to eradicate four economic fruit flies, Bactrocera dorsalis, B. xanthodes, B. frauenfeldi and B. cucurbitae. The programme had already reduced fruit fly populations to levels where fruit and vegetable production was now possible, and it was anticipated that in the near future the eradication programme would be successful.

A meeting held in Fiji in February 1999, developed a simplified PRA system that could be used by Pacific Island Countries. Three categories of pests were considered, critical quarantine pest; which required offshore management, non-critical quarantine pests; which could be managed at point of entry and non-regulated pests which did not require action. The system could be of relevance to the APPPC countries.

5 Progress and development of integrated pest management in the Region (Agenda item No. 5)

Dr. Russ Dilts, Regional Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Programme Coordinator gave a progress report on the development of IPM in the region. Phase IV of the FAO Inter-country Programme for IPM Rice, also known as the FAO Programme for Community IPM in Asia, started in January 1998. The Programme covered 12 member countries in Asia and was financially supported by the governments of Australia, Norway and the Netherlands.

One of the recommendations made at the Twentieth Session of the APPPC was for the FAO Inter-country IPM Programmes to increase support for information-sharing activities among APPPC countries to improve awareness of IPM developments in the Region.

The first and second issues of the IPM Newsletter were prepared and circulated in December 1998. The newsletter was made available to members of the APPPC through its Secretariat in Bangkok. Four thousand documents were made available to the ASEAN IPM Information Network and a large number of IPM reports were sent to the region's counterparts through the IPM Country Offices.

A second recommendation made at the Twentieth Session was for the FAO Intercountry Programme to facilitate the exchange of master trainers in IPM between member countries. Dr Dilts was pleased to report that during the past one and half years, more than 20 IPM trainers had been mobilised to support training activities in various countries.

5 Progress on the implementation of the provisions of the International Code of Conduct on the Distribution and Use of Pesticides, and the Convention of the Prior Informed Consent (PIC) (Agenda item No. 6)

Dr. N.A. van der Graaff, Chief, Plant Protection Service, FAO, reported on the above item. He described the negotiations that led to the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade. He noted that the PIC procedure, implemented through FAO and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), had started as a voluntary procedure in 1990 after adoption by the UNEP Governing Council and the FAO Conference. The United Nations Conference on Environment and Development had recommended that the PIC procedure be changed into a legally binding instrument. In 1995, UNEP and FAO organized an Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC) which met five times between 1995 and 1998. In May 1998, the INC agreed on a Convention text which was adopted by a Conference of Plenipotentiaries in September 1999. The Conference adopted the Rotterdam Convention. It was noted that 50 countries would have to ratify the Convention before it came into force.

The conference also adopted interim measures to continue the voluntary PIC procedure and to adapt it to the procedure described in the Convention. During the interim period, the Secretariat would continue to be provided by UNEP Chemicals in Geneva and the FAO Plant Protection Service. The Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee would continue to meet in the interim period. It met for the first time after the adoption of the Convention on 12 – 17 July 1999. At that session it reviewed chemicals to be added to the PIC procedure, made the necessary arrangements to add chemicals to the procedure, and started arranging for the period after the Convention came into force. It also discussed further illicit trafficking, dispute settlement, liability and compensation, and a mechanism for financial and technical assistance.

7 Overview of the International Plant Protection Convention's Activities (Agenda item No. 7)

Dr. N. A. van der Graaff presented an overview of the International Plant Protection Convention's and the Secretariat's activities since the Twentieth Session of the APPPC. He recalled that the IPPC was a multilateral treaty on plant protection and reported that there were now 10 contracting parties to the Convention, which included all major trading blocks except China.

The IPPC was amended in 1997 after a two-year process of discussion and negotiation. The objective of the amendment had been to modernise and update concepts, to complement the WTO Agreement on the Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures, to formalise the Secretariat arrangements, to provide for standard setting and to establish the Commission for Phytosanitary Measures. Interim measures had also been adopted by the FAO Conference in 1997, after the adoption of the amended text of the IPPC. The interim measures would provide for the implementation of selected articles of the amended Convention until it came into force. The interim arrangement allowed for a revised standard setting procedure, including the establishment of the Interim Commission on Phytosanitary Measures, which will meet annually.

The first meeting of the ICPM was held in October 1998. It adopted two new standards, discussed several organizational issues and outstanding issues in the Convention. It also determined a work programme on harmonization of phytosanitary measures and discussed technical assistance. The second meeting of the ICPM was scheduled for October 1999. Finally, it was noted by Dr. van der Graaff that the IPPC Secretariat had been strengthened since 1997.

8 Progress of the implementation of plant quarantine in the Asia and Pacific region (Agenda item No. 8)

8.1 Development of land border plant quarantine issues in Asia

The report was presented by Prof. Yao Wen-Guo, Chairman of working group of the Land Border Plant Quarantine (LBPQ), during the 21st Session of the APPPC.

In order to implement the memorandum of understanding of LBPQ, the working group organized China, Vietnam and Thailand to draft an application for an FAO Technical Cooperation Programme (TCP) for LBPQ to FAO. Dr. N. A. van der Graaff, Chief, Plant Protection Services, FAO and Prof. C. Y. Shen, Regional Plant Protection Officer and Executive Secretary of APPPC discussed the application of the TCP of LBPQ with representatives from the above mentioned three countries.

8.2 Report on the meeting of the FAO Committee of Experts on Phytosanitary Measures and other activities

Dr. John Hedley, Chairman of the APPPC Standing Committee on Plant Quarantine, reported on the two meetings of the FAO Committee of Experts on Phytosanitary Measures (CEPM) that he had attended. He also reported on other plant quarantine matters (both within the region and international) of interest to the member countries.

(i) Meetings of the FAO Committee of Experts on Phytosanitary Measures

a) Fifth meeting of the Committee of Experts on Phytosanitary Measures (11–14 May, 1998, FAO, Rome, Italy)

Two standards were considered and recommended for submission at the Interim Commission on Phytosanitary Measures (ICPM). These were ISPM: Determination of pest Status in an Area and ISPM: Guidelines for Pest Eradication Programmes.

b) Sixth meeting of the Committee of Experts on Phytosanitary Measures (17–21 May, 1999, FAO, Rome, Italy)

The CEPM examined the amended two documents, the ISPM: Glossary of Phytosanitary Terms, and the ISPM: Guidelines for the establishment of pest free places of production and pest free production sites. These standards were recommended for presentation to the Interim Commission on Phytosanitary Measures for adoption. The ISPM: Guidelines for Phytosanitary Certificates was discussed and recommended for consultation.

(ii) Interim Commission on Phytosanitary Measures

a) First meeting of the Interim Commission on Phytosanitary Measures (3–6 November, 1998, FAO, Rome, Italy)

The meeting spent two days developing Rules of Procedure for the Interim Commission on Phytosanitary Measures (ICPM). These were provisionally adopted, needing an annex describing the standard setting procedure for final adoption. The ICPM adopted, with some amendments, the two draft standards presented by the CEPM for adoption, i.e. the ISPM: Determination of Pest Status in an Area and the ISPM: Guidelines for Pest Eradication Programmes. Two informal working groups were established to examine and report on a standard setting procedure and dispute settlement procedures.

b) Summary of Interim Commission on Phytosanitary Measures related activities (November 1998 – July 1999)

Dr. Hedley summarised the major meetings and activities of the ICPM as well as activities he had been involved in as the Chair of the ICPM. His summary referred to the Report of the First Meeting of the Interim Commission on Phytosanitary Measures (see http://www.ippc.int)

Activities included:

• ICPM Glossary Group

• Working Group on the Standard setting procedure

• Working Group on Dispute settlement procedures

• Open-ended working Group on pest risk analysis (PRA) standards

• Sixth Meeting of the CEPM

• Assistance to the ICPM Secretariat

• Technical Assistance - proposed programme

(iii) Expert Working Group Meeting on the Revision of the Plant Protection Agreement for the Asia and Pacific Region (20–24 April, 1998, FAO, Bangkok, Thailand)

A number of recommendations were made by the group including that:

• A clearer description of the objectives and functions of the commission should be stated in the agreement,

• the commission should remain affiliated with FAO,

• there should be four sub-commissions formed,

• three alternatives be put forward as options to deal with the SALB issue, and

• two alternatives be put forward to deal with the quarantine pest list issue (at present in the appendix A).

(iv) Member Nations Consultation on the Revision of the Plant Protection Agreement for the Asia and Pacific Region (8–12 February, 1999, FAO, Bangkok, Thailand)

It was proposed that a transitory article be placed within the Agreement which, when a standard was developed to deal with South American leaf blight (SALB) measures, would be withdrawn. Overall, the meeting was successful in reaching a compromise over the SALB issue.

(v) Working Group on the Glossary of Phytosanitary Terms (16–18 February, 1999, Paris, France)

The group modified some definitions in the glossary to be presented to the ICPM (October 1999) and suggested a review mechanism for glossary terms.

(vi) Open-ended Working Group on Pest Risk Analysis Standards, IPPC Secretariat/APPPC (11–14 May, 1999, FAO, Bangkok, Thailand)

This was the first open ended working group (OEWG) meeting arranged by the Secretariat of the IPPC. The meeting offered a valuable opportunity for experts to discuss the development and structure of PRA standards. The final decision was to have a general standard with two others, on quarantine and regulated non-quarantine pests.

9 Consideration of the recommendations of the Ninth and Tenth Technical Consultations among Regional Plant Protection Organizations (Agenda item 9)

Professor C. Y. Shen, Executive Secretary of the APPPC, reported on the recommendations of the Ninth and Tenth Technical Consultations among Regional Plant Protection Organizations (TC-9 and TC-10).

The Ninth Technical Consultation among Regional Plant Protection Organizations (TC-9) was held in Brasilia, Brazil, 8–12 September 1997, and was attended by two APPPC member countries (New Zealand and the Republic of Korea) as well as the Executive Secretary. One of the major outcomes of the meeting was the consideration of priorities for standard-setting activities. The list of priorities (refer Appendix III of the TC-9 Report - RAP/APPPC/99/9.1) were offered to the IPPC Secretariat for consideration. Pest reporting and reporting obligations, and review of the status of the activities in each RPPO were identified by the Consultation as agenda topics for TC-10.

The Tenth Technical Consultation among Regional Plant Protection Organizations (TC-10) was held in Rome, 9–10 November 1998 and was attended by nine APPPC member countries and the Executive Secretary. Activities suggest for possible implementation by the RPPOs included; encouraging member countries to accept the revised text of the IPPC and assisting the voluntary use of the new certificate.

Prof. Shen mentioned that among the APPPC member countries, Bangladesh and Papua New Guinea have sent the instruments for acceptation of revised IPPC with New Zealand and Nepal soon to follow. He encouraged the member countries to take necessary action to proceed with the instrument, and APPPC Secretariat had sent a letter to member countries regarding this issue.

Prof. Shen informed participants that the TC-11 would be held 30 September to 1 October 1999 in Rome immediately before the Second Meeting of the Interim Commission on Phytosanitary Measures (to be held in Rome on 4–8 October 1999). He suggested that member countries send representatives to participate in both meetings.

10 Revision of the Plant Protection Agreement for the Asia and Pacific Region (agenda item No. 4)

This agenda item was introduced by Dr. John Hedley (New Zealand) who described the differences between the current Agreement and the proposed revised Agreement.

The major area of discussion centered on the South American leaf blight (SALB) issue, specifically Articles IV and Appendix B of the Agreement as currently in force (Article XIV and Appendix of the proposed revised Agreement). Malaysia requested that Article IV and Appendix B of the Agreement as currently in force dealing with SALB be retained until such time as a pest risk analysis (PRA) had been completed and an appropriate regional standard agreed to by the Commission. New Zealand believed that Article XIV and the new Appendix set out in the proposed revised Agreement were in contradiction with the requirements of the SPS agreement and as such could not accept an Agreement that was not compliant with current SPS requirements.

Australia supported New Zealand, Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Laos, Myanmar, Nepal, Papua New Guinea, Sri Lanka and Thailand agreed with Malaysia.

The FAO Legal Counsel summarised the current position of delegates and suggested a solution to the problem. Under this solution, the articles on transitional measures for SALB would be deleted from the new proposed revised Agreement, and amendments providing for the deletion of the provisions of Article IV and Appendix B of the original Agreement would be adopted by the Commission, on the understanding that the formal acceptance of the amendments could be delayed by the Contracting Governments in the exercise of their sovereign prerogative until such time as a satisfactory regional standard had been adopted by the Commission to replace the original provisions on SALB. This compromise solution was agreed to by the Commission. It was also agreed that the amendments should be separated into two sets, the first, dealing with all matters other than SALB to be accepted as soon as possible, and the second to repeal the existing provisions on SALB.

The Chair then moved that the Commission discuss the Agreement article by article with comments by delegates on each.

The Commission then considered the text of a draft Resolution that would incorporate the above.

Several delegations indicated that, while they were in general agreement with the contents of the Resolution, they would need to consult with their governments, and in particular, their legal advisers, before they could give their full commitment to the Resolution. The Commission, therefore decided, by consensus, to adopt the following Resolution, subject to such reservations as may be communicated to the Secretariat of the Commission by 16 August 1999^1].

^1] Five communications were received by the APPPC Secretariat by the end of August 1999, all of them indicating acceptance of the Resolution. The texts of the communications are as follows:

Resolution

The Commission:

Recognizing the need to revise the Plant Protection Agreement for the Asia and Pacific Region to bring it into line with the revised text of the International Plant Protection Convention and the Agreement on the Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures and with modern requirements for plant protection;

Further recognizing the need to strengthen the Commission; and

Noting that the amendments adopted by the Commission and approved by the FAO Council in 1983 to provide for an autonomous budget for the APPPC, which is essential for the effective functioning of the Commission, have not yet entered into force:

A. Amendments set out in Annex I

1. adopts the Amendments set out in Annex I to this Resolution;

2. calls on Contracting Governments to consider the acceptance of the amendments set out in Annex I on an urgent basis with a view to bringing them into force as soon as possible;

3. decides, on an interim and voluntary basis pending the entry into force of the amendments to the Agreement set out in Annex I:

   1. To establish interim sub-commissions, with the functions and in accordance with the procedures set out in the proposed amendments; and

   2. To develop and adopt, in accordance with the proposed amendments, interim regional and sub-regional standards, including but not limited to the development of pest risk analyses and the identification of pests for common action and recognition of pest-free areas and areas of low pest prevalence;.

B. Amendments set out in Annex II

4. adopts the amendments to the Agreement set forth in Annex II to this Resolution;

5. takes into account the statement by the delegates from rubber-producing countries that their Governments will accept the amendments set out in Annex II only following the adoption by the Commission of a satisfactory regional standard related to South American leaf blight of Hevea, whether on an interim or final basis;

6. takes note that, in accordance with Article IX (4) of the Agreement as currently in force, following approval by the FAO Council, amendments shall enter into force following acceptance by two-thirds of the Contracting Governments;

7. further takes note that, until the time of entry into force of the amendments set out in Annex II, the text included in Article IV and Appendix B of the Agreement as currently in force (Article XIV and Appendix B of the Revised Agreement) relating to measures to exclude South American leaf blight of Hevea from the Region will remain in force;

8. requests that the Director-General of the Organization, in the exercise of his depositary functions, following approval of the FAO Council, circulate to the Contracting Governments the amendments set out in Annex II only after receipt by the Director-General of notification by the Secretary of the Commission that the above-referenced regional standard regarding South American leaf blight of Hevea has been adopted;

9. calls on Contracting Governments and the Secretariat of the Commission to seek actively sources of financing for a pest risk analysis and any scientific work required in connection therewith to provide the necessary basis for an appropriate regional standard, including the creation of buffer zones to prevent the introduction and spread of South American leaf blight of Hevea in the Region;

10. calls on donor organizations to provide the requisite funding for such studies on an expedited basis, in light of the urgent need to establish such standards;

11. calls on Contracting Governments to undertake expeditiously such pest risk analysis and scientific work; and

C. Acceptance of amendments adopted in 1983

12. calls on the Contracting Governments to consider accepting the amendments adopted in 1983 to provide for an autonomous budget for the Commission in order to bring them into force as soon as possible.