The IPPC ePhyto Solution has allowed countries to exchange electronic phytosanitary certificates and assured the safe trade of plants.
Every year, up to 40 percent of global crop production - worth over $200 billion - is lost to plant pests. To address this issue, the 15th Session of the Commission on Phytosanitary Measures (CPM) will hold a virtual meeting on March 16, March 18, and April 1.
CPM is the governing body of the Rome-based International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) which will deliberate online to adopt new standards to curb the spread of plant pests and review the state of plant health and protection worldwide.
India is among IPPC’s 184 contracting parties.
The Covid-19 pandemic demonstrated how such protection is particularly crucial in an emergency. Although the last 14 months have jeopardized access to affordable and nutritious food, the IPPC ePhyto Solution has allowed countries to exchange electronic phytosanitary certificates and assured the safe trade of plants.
The ePhyto Solution's long-term financial sustainability will be discussed at the 15th Session of CPM, which will also adopt:
The Commission will also review updates on the International Year of Plant Health 2020, which has been extended until July 1 due to Covid-19, and the progress towards the proclamation of an International Day of Plant Health in 2022.
Championed by the government of Zambia, the proposal of an International Day of Plant Health has been endorsed by the FAO Committee on Agriculture and the FAO Council in 2020.
The UN General Assembly is expected to validate it later this year.