Progress over the last two years was reviewed. It was recalled that the ICPM4 had agreed on a strategy plan, which includes standard setting, information exchange, dispute settlement, technical assistance and capacity building, an administrative framework, and preparation of the IPPC and cooperation with other organizations. The Standards Committee had been established consisting of 20 experts, which includes three experts from the Asian region and three experts from the Pacific region. Six new standards and two addendums to existing standards had been adopted. Three new standards were in consultation with countries, including a standard on PRA for living modified organisms. ICPM5 had raised serious concerns about the needs for specific standards, the slow pace of adoption of standards and priorities for standard settings. A focus group has met on the subject, and its report would be considered by the RPPO meeting and the strategic planning group, which would make a recommendation to ICPM6. Work had continued on the IPP and a Dispute Settlement Body had been established. There was increasing demand for technical assistance. Regional technical consultations on draft ISPMs were held when funds permitted. The phytosanitary capacity evaluation (PCE) tool was widely used in technical assistance projects. The PCE was further developed. A business plan had been developed by the bureau and was adopted by ICPM5. It identified the need for a substantial increase in outputs and in the related resources. The plan had received wide support by FAO members in various governing bodies of FAO, in the preparation of the 2004-2005 programme of work and budget. The ICPM5 had also endorsed the establishment of a voluntary trust fund with the purpose to provide resources to benefit developing countries, in particular, to increase the participation in standard setting. The IPPC had strong links with RPPOs, the WTO SPS Committee and the convention on biological diversity and its Cartagena Protocol. Future initiatives would concentrate on increase in the pace of standard setting, greater participation by developing countries and further implementation of information exchange and technical assistance.
It was noted that only 46 signatories to IPPC have accepted the 1997 revision.
