Calls for DP authors

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 DPs 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 in 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)].

2023-05 - Call for DP authors

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

• Microcyclus ulei (2019-003)
• Spodoptera frugiperda (2021-016)
• Moniliophthora roreri (2019-005)

The call was launched on 18 May 2023. The deadline to submit nominations is 23 June 2023.

It is encourage that self-nominations are coordinated with the  the IPPC contracting parties through the IPPC Official Contact Points (OCPs) or RPPOs the links and instructions on how to submit the nominations have been moved to the IPP restricted work area, where the IPPC OCPs and RPPOs have access.

Some NPPOs require nominations for DP authors be submitted through the NPPO. Please consult your contracting party contact point before submitting. Contact points reserve the right to withdraw nominations not submitted by the contact point.

SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS – PLEASE READ THEM CAREFULLY!

Nominations will be accepted from contracting parties, national or regional plant protection organizations (NPPOs or RPPOs) through their respective NPPO or RPPO official IPPC Contact Point and self-nominations should be supported by an accompanying letter from the respective IPPC contact point.

A nomination should only be made if the nominee has agreed to his/her nomination, is available for the meeting dates as posted on the IPPC Calendar and can allocate appropriate time to the tasks as outlined in the Statement of Commitment. Each nomination must be accompanied by the following documentation:

Completed nominee details and summary of expertise form – (only as a word processing file such as MS Word). All sections should be completed, including contact details, education and professional training. A clear description of the nominee’s expertise is required. See form below.

The file should be named as follows: COUNTRY_SURNAME_Firstname_Summary;

Completed and signed Statement of Commitment form – this should be read carefully by each nominee and discussed between the nominee and their employer. The form should then be signed by the nominee and a senior person in authority from the organization that employs the nominee. See form below.

The form should be submitted with the nomination (as a scanned image file such as PDF). The file should be named as follows: COUNTRY_SURNAME_Firstname_commitment;

The nominee’s Curriculum Vitae (CV) – electronic copy of the nominee’s CV.

The file should be named as follows: COUNTRY_SURNAME_Firstname_CV.

Submissions should be sent to the IPPC Secretariat by e-mail ([email protected]) no later than 23 June 2023. The name of the nominating country or RPPO and the words “Call for DP Authors” should be placed in the subject line of the email message.

For authors of DPs, there is generally no attendance at meetings

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 DP expertise, including experience using DPs for detection and identification of regulated pests
• drafting of DPs (such as regional DPs)
• development of novel diagnostic methods

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

Drafting of DPs

Authors work in liaison with the member of the TPDP in charge of the respective topic to develop draft DPs as annexes to ISPM 27 (Diagnostic Protocols for Regulated Pests). Currently, there are 31 adopted DPs, these can be found on the adopted standards page.

The work associated with authoring the DP will primarily take place through e-mail discussions, although teleconferences can be organized if necessary. Authors should be able to allocate appropriate time to draft the DP. 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 DPs. 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.

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