Calls for EWG and TP experts

Once the Standards Committee (SC) approves a specification and resources are identified to hold an expert working group (EWG) meeting, the IPPC Secretariat contacts NPPOs and RPPOs through a call to nominate experts to be members of the EWG to develop a draft ISPM. In order to get nominated as an expert the nominee is requested to sign a statement of commitment. The SC selects the technical experts identified by the NPPOs and RPPOs for the EWG. The EWG meets and produces a draft ISPM and a meeting report. The draft ISPM is then approved for consultation by the SC.

Members of Technical Panels (TPs) should have the necessary scientific expertise and subject matter experience, and should be able to participate and contribute to the proceedings. The steward of the TP is considered a member. Membership of TPs should be reviewed by the SC on a regular basis and may be adjusted as necessary, taking into account, in particular, changes in the needs of scientific or other expertise required and in the professional duties of the experts.

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2021-03 Call for EWG experts

The International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) Secretariat is soliciting nominations for appropriately qualified experts to take part in expert working groups (EWGs) on:

• Annex Criteria for determining host status of fruit to fruit flies based on available information (2018-011) to ISPM 37 (Determination of host status of fruit to fruit flies (Tephritidae));
• Annex Design and use of systems approaches for phytosanitary certification of seeds (2018-009) to ISPM 38 (International movement of seeds).

Nominations are due 31 May 2021 and should be sent by email to the IPPC Secretariat ([email protected]) with a copy to Mr Edgar Mushegyan ([email protected]).

1. Requirements

Specific expertise

The Standards Committee (SC) will select the experts based on how closely an expert's skills and experience match the specific expertise outlined in:

• Specification 71 – Annex Criteria for determining host status of fruit to fruit flies based on available information (2018-011) to ISPM 37 (Determination of host status of fruit to fruit flies (Tephritidae));

The participants should have collective expertise in:

Pest risk analysis, with experience in developing lists of hosts of fruit flies for various reasons (e.g. surveillance, inspection, trade negotiations, development and implementation of national, regional or international standards on host status);

Entomology (e.g. operational experience in detecting infestation by fruit flies in host commodities) with an emphasis on Diptera: Tephritidae.

• Specification 70 – Annex Design and use of systems approaches for phytosanitary certification of seeds (2018-009) to ISPM 38 (International movement of seeds).

Experts with a wide knowledge and experience in one or more of the following areas: the development or implementation of phytosanitary measures to manage the pest risk associated with the production, processing and international movement of seeds, pest risk analysis, seed testing and storage, and use of integrated measures in systems approaches specifically for seeds. The EWG should include at least one person with knowledge of existing international guidance related to the international movement of seeds; at least one person with knowledge of quality systems and auditing for compliance; at least two persons with knowledge of seed pathology; and at least one person as an invited expert with knowledge of operational industry seed-quality systems, including seed production, processing and testing, and preferably nominated by the seed industry.

Language

The group operates in English (without interpretation), so experts should have a strong working knowledge of English.

Availability

The tentative dates of virtual meetings are published on the IPPC Calendar and are as follows:

• Annex Criteria for determining host status of fruit to fruit flies based on available information (2018-011) to ISPM 37 (Determination of host status of fruit to fruit flies (Tephritidae)): 19-30 July 2021
• Annex Design and use of systems approaches for phytosanitary certification of seeds (2018-009) to ISPM 38 (International movement of seeds): 4-15 October 2021

2. Instructions for making nominations

Nominations will be accepted from contracting parties, national or regional plant protection organizations (NPPOs or RPPOs) through their respective NPPO or RPPO IPPC Official Contact Point. Self-nominations should be supported by an accompanying letter from the respective PPC Official 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 outlined in the Statement of Commitment. The following documentation must accompany each nomination:

• 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. The file should be named as follows: COUNTRY_SURNAME_Firstname_Summary;
• Completed and signed Statement of Commitment form – 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. The form should be submitted with the nomination (as a scanned image file such as a 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 with the file named as follows: COUNTRY_SURNAME_Firstname_CV.

The name of the nominating country or RPPO and the words "Call for EWG experts" should be placed in the email message's subject line.

3. Funding for experts to attend meetings

The organization that employs an IPPC meeting participant is responsible for funding the travel and daily subsistence allowance for that person to attend. If the employer is unable to allocate sufficient funds, participants are first encouraged to seek assistance from sources other than the IPPC Secretariat. Where such demonstrated efforts to secure assistance have been unsuccessful, requests for assistance (i.e. travel and subsistence costs) from the IPPC Secretariat may be made. However, any support is subject to available funds. The IPPC Secretariat will consider funding assistance for participants following IPPC criteria for funding. Full details on these criteria can be found on the IPP (https://www.ippc.int/publications/criteria-used-prioritizing-participants-receive-travel-assistance-attend-meetings). It is expected that participants will attend all sessions of the meeting, and those participants who plan to attend only part of a meeting should fund their travel.

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