12 April 2013: At its eighth session, the Committee on Phytosanitary Measures (CPM 8) approved two revised International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures (ISPMs) on pest risk analysis for quarantine pests and on the regulation of wood packaging material. The Committee also considered the way forward on developing ISPMs on sea containers and on international shipments of grain.

The CPM is the Governing Body of the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC).

The ISPM on pest risk analysis for quarantine pests, including analysis of environmental risks and living modified organisms (LMOs), was complemented with guidance on risk analysis for determining if an imported plant might be a pest to cultivated or wild plants and measures to reduce this risk.

The ISPM on the regulation of wood packaging material in international trade was revised to include more specific guidance on approved treatments of wood packaging material.

On issues to be addressed by a new ISPM on reducing the transmission of plant pests and diseases via sea containers, CPM 8 discussed, inter alia: responsibility for cleanliness of sea containers; cleanliness examinations; the need to further develop an existing ISPM on minimizing pest movement by sea containers; and options for certifying cleaning processes.

On monitoring international shipments of grain, CPM 8 considered the following options: developing a specific ISPM; developing a guide to the implementation of ISPMs in the international movement of grain; and developing an ISPM with reduced scope covering only the most critical elements.

CPM 8 was held from 8-12 April 2013, at the headquarters of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN (FAO) in Rome, Italy. [FAO Press Release] [CPM 8 Documents]