Activities of the International Plant Protection Convention in regard to invasive alien species

摘要

The International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) is a multilateral treaty, with the aim to prevent the introduction and spread of plant pests. National plant protection services and the governing body of the IPPC, the Interim Commission on Phytosanitary Measures (ICPM), recognized that one of the aims of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), to prevent the introduction of alien species, corresponds in large measure to the objective of the IPPC. In order to clarify its role with regard toinvasive alien species, the ICPM has actively pursued a work programme for invasive alien species that are plant pests. In 2001, it determined that such species should be considered quarantine pests, and should be subjected to measures according to IPPCprovisions. The ICPM also decided that IPPC standards should be reviewed, to ensure that they adequately address environmental risks of plant pests. The ICPM adopted supplements to two of the international standards for phytosanitary measures (namely 'Glossary of phytosanitary terms' and 'Pest risk analysis for quarantine pests'). These supplements elaborated on environmental considerations. To avoid conflicting developments within the IPPC and the CBD, regarding invasive alien species and plant pests,the secretariats of the two conventions have signed a Memorandum of Cooperation. Further contacts to strengthen the cooperation between the governing bodies of the IPPC and the CBD are currently undertaken. There is a need for closer cooperation betweenenvironmental and phytosanitary authorities on a national and international level as well as the need for technical assistance to developing and least developed countries in regard to invasive alien species.