[IPPC] Diagnostic Protocols are developed to allow general use by competent diagnosticians in a laboratory performing pest diagnosis as part of phytosanitary measures. The methods described in diagnostic protocols provide the minimum requirements for reliable diagnosis of the specified regulated pests and include information on the specificity, sensitivity and reproducibility of these methods, where available. Methods providing other levels of specificity, sensitivity and reproducibility are also included where appropriate.

DPs usually describe more than one method to take into account the capabilities of laboratories and the situations for which the methods are applied. They provide guidance, but NPPOs should determine which methods are appropriate for their circumstances.

Once adopted, DPs will be reviewed regularly by the TPDP and updated to take into account advances in diagnostic methods. [CPM-4 (2009)]

2019-08 Call for DP authors

The International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) Secretariat is soliciting nominations for authors for the following IPPC diagnostic protocols (DP) on the work programme of the Technical Panel on Diagnostic Protocols:

• Mononychelus tanajoa (2018-006)
• Citrus leprosis virus (2018-025)
• Psyllid vectors of Candidatus Liberibacter *solanacearum* (2018-030)
• Pyricularia oryzae (syn. Magnaporthe oryzae) on Triticum spp. (2019-002)
• Microcyclus ulei (2019-003)
• Puccinia graminis f. sp. tritici UG 99 (2019-004)

The Deadline for nominations is 01 November 2019. For details on how to nominate or apply, please see below.

Drafting of Diagnostic protocols

Authors work in liaison with the member of the Technical Panel on Diagnostic Protocols (TPDP) in charge of the respective topic to develop draft diagnostic protocols (DPs) as annexes to ISPM 27 (Diagnostic Protocols for Regulated Pests). Currently there are 29 adopted diagnostic protocols, these can be found on the adopted standards page.

The work associated with authoring the diagnostic protocol will primarily take place through e-mail discussions, although teleconferences can be organized if necessary. Authors should be able to allocate appropriate time to drafting the diagnostic protocol. Several experts may be selected to work together on a draft DP. English is the working language of the drafting group.

For more information on what is involved in authoring DPs and the time commitment necessary, please check out our brochure Introduction for authors of diagnostic protocols. It is important to know that:

• This is a long process: It takes 4-5 years from development to adoption.
• Different input at different times: Input, comments, and revisions to the draft DP are needed at several stages of the development.
• A globally harmonized protocol: DPs are not scientific publications but adopted international standards to which IPPC contracting parties have agreed.

Instructions for making nominations:

Required expertise:

Authors should have technical and scientific expertise with the respective pest, diagnostic expertise is considered a core requirement. Additionally, the following areas of expertise are desirable:

• taxonomy and molecular diagnostics
• practical experience related to the pest (detection, identification, isolation etc.)
• quarantine diagnostic protocol expertise, including experience using diagnostic protocols for detection and identification of regulated pests
• drafting of diagnostic protocols (such as regional diagnostic protocols)
• development of novel diagnostic methods

How to submit nominations:

It is encouraged that nominations are submitted through national plant protection organizations (NPPOs) or regional plant protection organizations (RPPOs). However, all nominations will be considered, and self-nominations should be supported by an accompanying letter from a government authority.

Each nomination must be accompanied by the following documentation (a template can be found on the bottom of the page):

1. Completed nominee details and summary of expertise form (posted below). All sections should be completed, including contact details, education and professional training. A clear description of the nominee’s expertise is required. The file should be named as follows: COUNTRY_SURNAME_Firstname_Summary.
2. The nominee’s Curriculum Vitae (CV) – an electronic copy of the nominee’s CV outlining their relevant expertise and including references should be submitted as pdf or word file named as follows: COUNTRY_SURNAME_Firstname_CV.
3. The nominee’s Statement of commitment (posted below). This form contains information on specific duties involved and should be completed and signed by the nominee’s supervisor. The file should be named as follows: COUNTRY_SURNAME_Firstname_Commitment.

Submissions should be sent to the IPPC Secretariat by e-mail (ippc@fao.org) no later than 07 October 2019.

According to the IPPC standard setting procedures, the TPDP will make the selection of the authors and report to the IPPC Standards Committee (SC). Selected nominees will be contacted.

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