91st Meeting of the Panel on Global Phytosanitary Affairs

Antalya (TR), 2025-09-08/10

 

Photo of the Panel on Global Phytosanitary Affairs meeting, including a field visit.

 

 

The EPPO Panel on Global Phytosanitary Affairs provides a forum for the EPPO Member Countries and their NPPOs to exchange information and develop harmonised views and positions on matters related to the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC). It also facilitates the preparation of the member governments for the Commission on Phytosanitary Measures. The list of the Panel Members and their terms of Reference is accessible on the EPPO website.

 

The EPPO Panel on Global Phytosanitary Affairs met on 2025-09-08/10 in Antalya (TR). This meeting was hosted by the General Directorate of Food and Control of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry of Türkiye. Thanks are due for the warm hospitability and excellent organization of this meeting.

 

The Panel meeting was held in conjunction with the 2025 IPPC/FAO Regional Workshop for Europe and Central Asia that took place on 2025-09-03/05.

 

The Panel members discussed several draft IPPC documents which were under IPPC consultation. These comprised the revision of a draft ISPM and of four new draft Annexes to ISPMs as well as three new specifications, as listed below.

 

Once finalized, the EPPO comments on these drafts will be shared with the EPPO countries and the IPPC Secretariat through the IPPC Online Commenting System (OCS). The EPPO countries will be invited to endorse the comments.

 

Draft ISPMs for first consultation:

 

  • Annex to ISPM 46 Commodity-specific standards for phytosanitary measures: International movement of fresh Musa spp. Fruit
  • Annex to ISPM 46 Commodity-specific standards for phytosanitary measures: International movement of fresh Colocasia esculenta for consumption

 

Draft ISPMs for second consultation:

 

  • Revision of ISPM 26 Establishment and maintenance of pest free areas for fruit flies (Tephritidae) 
  • Annex to ISPM 23 Guidelines for inspection: Field inspection
  • Annex to ISPM 28 Phytosanitary treatments for regulated pests: Irradiation Treatment for Pseudococcus baliteus

 

Draft ISPM specifications:

 

  • Annex Remote audits to ISPM 47 Audit in the phytosanitary context
  • Revision of ISPM 12 Phytosanitary certificates
  • Revision of ISPM 23 Guidelines for inspection

 

During the meeting, the Panel members were also updated by the representatives for Europe in IPPC groups on the outcomes of recent discussions. They were informed about the plan for the Symposium on sea containers to be held in Copenhagen on 2025-10-7/8 and it was stressed the importance of good participation in this event from representatives from the European region. The Panel was also informed about the recent EPPO nominations in CPM bodies for the European region and considered the topic ‘Rethinking ISPMs’ to find out ways to present the regional views, on this subject, to the whole IPPC community.

 

The next meeting of the EPPO Panel on Global Phytosanitary Affairs will take place in Paris, on 2026-01-27/29.