17 June 2011: The Secretariat of the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) has released a guide to the International Phytosanitary Portal (IPP) – the IPPC website, which also serves as the IPPC’s primary forum for information exchange by IPPC Parties and the Secretariat.

The first section of the guide describes information exchange within the framework of the IPPC, in particular the information exchange obligations of the IPPC Secretariat, the National Plant Protection Organizations and the Regional Plant Protection Organizations. It also lists references which provide additional information such as relevant International Standards on Phytosanitary Measures (ISPMs).

The second section provides an overview of how to use the site. It describes the content, organization and navigation of the site as well as the steps necessary to complete common tasks. Likewise, it provides step-by-step explanations on how to use the IPP to meet national reporting obligations. Advice on trouble shooting is also provided. [Publication: IPPC Guide to the IPP][IPPC web portal]