NPPO Operations Module 3 Operationalizing Surveillance and Import

NPPO Operations Module 3 Operationalizing Surveillance and Import Regulation Programmes

Module 3 What will I learn? The obligations of an NPPO regarding its core activities § Surveillance § Import regulations § Export certification § Regionalization

IPPC principles The IPPC principles are concerned with the rights and obligations of contracting parties. They should be considered collectively, in accordance with the full text of the IPPC, and not interpreted individually.

Operationalizing phytosanitary programmes Basic IPPC principles apply to all NPPO operations and relate to: § Sovereignty § Necessity § Managed risk § Minimal impact § Transparency § Harmonization

Operationalizing phytosanitary programmes Basic IPPC principles relate to: § Non-discrimination §  echnical justification § Cooperation § Equivalence of phytosanitary measures § Modification

Operationalizing phytosanitary programmes Operational IPPC principles relate to: §  stablishment of phytosanitary systems / measures §  mplementation of phytosanitary measures § Monitoring phytosanitary measures §  dministration of official phytosanitary systems

Surveillance Article IV. 2(b) of the IPPC requires that NPPOs be responsible for the surveillance of plants with the purpose to report the occurrence, outbreak and spread of pests. Surveillance is “An official process which collects and records data on pest occurrence or absence by survey, monitoring or other procedures (CEPM, 1996). ”

Surveillance Data is used to: § Establish a regulated pest list § Establish the phytosanitary import requirements of the country § Establish lists of pests present in the country [as often required by potential importing countries for their pest risk analysis (PRA)] § Establish pest free areas (PFA), areas of low pest prevalence (ALPP), pest free places of production (PFPP) and pest free production sites (PFPS)

Surveillance Data is used to: § Confirm pest eradication § Determine pest status in an area § Report the presence, outbreak or spread of pests and the results of controlling them

Surveillance Programme requirements §  An agreed plan §  Sustainable and adequate funds §  A technical manager / coordinator §  Subject specialists and technical support staff §  Information technology resources for pest database development §  Surveillance equipment [e. g. global positioning system (GPS)]

Surveillance Programme requirements § Communication equipment § Access to laboratories for pest identification and confirmation § Operations manuals describing procedures for general surveillance and conducting surveys of specific commodities and pests § Stakeholder participation (where necessary) § Public awareness and education programmes

Surveillance Steps in implementation § Ensure policy support and inclusion of programme requirements in the budget § Appoint a national pest surveillance manager to: § Define the scope of the surveillance programme § Identify staff required at all levels of operations § Determine the important stakeholders and the external assistance needed and establish mechanisms for engaging their services

Surveillance Steps in implementation § Establish a team of subject specialists § Study and apply the guidance provided in International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures (ISPM) 6 to ensure that technical integrity is maintained in all procedures § Develop manuals and guidelines covering all activities for a specific crop or pest § Clearly define the required activities and the resources needed for those activities

Surveillance Steps in implementation § For collecting samples, determine: § Method of collection § Preparation for identification § Verification procedures § Storage method for specimens and the establishment of pest records, as defined by the IPPC

Exercise 3. 1 Is the surveillance programme managed by your NPPO? What other institutions have been identified as having expertise or resources to support the surveillance programme? How are pest surveillance targets prioritized?

Import Regulations IPPC Article VII and Article IV (c), (d) and (f) establishes the rights and obligations of contracting parties in relation to import regulations and the responsibilities of the NPPO of the importing country to prevent the introduction of quarantine pests and limit the entry of regulated non-quarantine pests with imported commodities and other regulated articles.

Import Regulations § Serve as the regulatory framework of phytosanitary legislation, regulations and procedures § The NPPO is responsible for operation and oversight of the regulations.

Import Regulations The regulations should define: § Sovereign right to regulate § Assigned responsibility for import regulation § Powers of enforcement (compliance checking) § Non-compliance provisions

Import Regulations Organizational arrangements and infrastructure § Technical and administrative resources for performing import control functions § A manager for import regulation § Technical staff appropriately trained (or access to them) to enforce phytosanitary import requirements § Laboratories (or access to them) with suitable facilities to support border functions

Import Regulations Organizational arrangements and infrastructure § Border posts adequately equipped § Treatment facilities (where necessary) § Relevant stakeholder involvement for effective phytosanitary import verification

Import Regulations Procedures for establishing import requirements § Provide training for staff to undertake PRA. § Establish a unit dedicated to conducting PRA and establishing import requirements for regulated articles. § Ensure appropriate links between surveillance programmes, the PRA unit and the import regulatory programme. § Provide means for communicating with stakeholders and other NPPOs to access phytosanitary information from trading partners.

Import Regulations Procedures for establishing import requirements § Make import requirements known to trading partners. § Establish a system for reporting cases of non- compliance and emergency action to the exporting country and the IPPC. § Collaborate with other border agencies and stakeholders on pest prevention.

Import Regulations Procedures for setting import requirements § Establish clear lines of communication among staff, decentralized offices, laboratories, border posts and headquarters to ensure effective coordination of operations. § Provide periodic and incident reviews.

Import Regulations Border arrangements § Provide facilities (office space and equipment) that enable effective inspection of imported commodities. § Make suitable arrangements for interception and inspection of commercial commodities, luggage and post. § Ensure easy access to information for decision-making at borders. § Provide facilities for holding and disinfecting or disinfesting high-risk materials.

Import Regulations Border arrangements § Provide adequate transport for inspectors and other regulatory personnel. § Prepare operating procedures for consistent application of phytosanitary measures. § Provide post-entry quarantine for high-risk material.

Import Regulations Compliance checking of imports at entry should include: § Document checks (e. g. , phytosanitary certificates and import permits) § Consignment identity and integrity checks § Physical inspection, sampling and testing

Exercise 3. 2 What arrangements does your NPPO have in place to regulate imports? Are there sufficient resources and technical competencies in your NPPO to undertake this work? Identify areas where your import regulatory system could be improved.