In 2022, the International Workshop on Reducing the Introduction of Pests through the Sea Container Pathway was held on 19-20 September 2022 in London, UK, preceding the International Plant Health Conference. The workshop was attended by 130 participants representing NPPOs, RPPOs international organizations and industry stakeholders such as container owners, shipping lines, container manufacturers, freight forwarders, packers, port authorities, marine terminal operators, shippers, importers, exporters.
The workshop demonstrated the importance of having open dialogue and involvement of a variety of stakeholders discussing how to reduce pest contamination of containers and their cargoes.
Participants at the London workshop recommended that a follow-up workshop be held in 2023. As such, the Commission on Phytosanitary Measures (CPM) Focus Group on Sea Containers (SCFG) is organizing a workshop to provide an opportunity to discuss the progress made by different stakeholders and by the IPPC community and industry as a key step toward the CPM taking decisions on long term IPPC guidance in 2024.
Effective communication is extremely important Without making everyone involved aware of the issues and how they can contribute to the solutions, it is not possible to achieve the goals of risk reduction along the sea container and cargo pathway. It is essential to continue to raise awareness to broader audiences, including stakeholders that are not involved in trade of plants and plant products. It is also clear that an effective risk mitigation program must be designed in a way that minimizes any negative impacts on container logistics and international trade and may be comprised of multiple mutually supporting measures.
While the IPPC is responsible for management of plant health risks for sea containers, it is evident that addressing plant health risks inherent in the sea container pathway may also address other contaminants. Therefore, it will be important to engage with the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH) to ensure that any solutions proposed by the FGSC to CPM-18 (2024) for decision would be considered and accepted for animal health concerns for a streamlined, predictable and feasible approach to the issue, It will also be important to consider ways to arrange for more and better coordination among and between border agencies so that industry not be subjected to conflicting guidance and requirements. It is understood that Codex has already provided guidance related to chemical residues and cleanliness relating to food shipped in sea containers.
Representatives of NPPOs, RPPOs, international organizations such as IMO, CBD, WCO and WBG and industry stakeholders such as container owners, shipping lines, container manufacturers, freight forwarders, packers, port authorities, marine terminal operators, shippers, importers, exporters.
The workshop will take place from 17 to 19 July 2023, Brisbane, Sofitel Brisbane Central, Queensland, Australia. Participation is free of charge.
The workshop will be held in English.
Wendy Asbil: National Manager of the Invasive Alien Species and Domestic Programs team in the Plant Protection Division at the Canadian Food Inspection Agency. Responsible for challenging and exciting work designing, developing and implementing programs to minimize the introduction and spread of invasive alien plant pests in Canada. Pathways of pest introduction such as sea containers, marine vessels, and shipments that are not plants or plant products are areas of focus as are biological control, intentionally imported injurious organisms, in transit shipments, e-commerce, and specific pests like AGM, spotted lanternfly and invasive plants. This work includes engagement with national and international collaborators and stakeholders on diverse issues and initiatives.
Lars Kjaer: Has been with the World Shipping Council since its inception in 2000. Lars is involved in a multitude of safety-related and other regulatory matters and also deals with OECD digital tax issues insofar as shipping is concerned. Lars participates on behalf of WSC in meetings at the IMO regarding safety, transport of containers, dangerous goods and the Facilitation Convention. He is also chairman of ISO Technical Committee (TC 104) that is responsible for all container-related standards. He participated in the work of the Sea Container Task Force. Prior to joining the World Shipping Council, Lars served as the Washington Representative for the Council of European and Japanese Shipowners’ Associations (CENSA), following a career with the Danish Foreign Service, including postings at the Royal Danish Embassy in Washington, DC, and the Danish Delegation to NATO, Brussels.
Frederik Koome Makathima: A principle plant health inspector working at KEPHIS. Expert on crop pest risk analysis, pest diagnosis and management, and pest surveillance. Has been awarded by Kenya innovation agency (KENIA) and the royal academy of engineering, UK for excellent work in development and implementation of agricultural based innovations.
Paul Zalai, Freight and Trade Alliance: Co-founded Freight & Trade Alliance (FTA), an Australian member-based organisation bringing together industry associations and more than 500 leading businesses involved in international trade.
Rama Karri, NPPO of Australia: Director in the Australian Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry with over 10 years of experience in establishing regulatory settings for managing contaminants and contaminant pests. Significant experience in establishing quality systems in overseas ports to manage pest risks associated with inanimate pathways. He is also a member of the Commission on Phytosanitary Measures (CPM) Focus Group (FG) on Sea Containers, representing Pacific Plant Protection Organisation members.
Wendy Beltz, NPPO of USA:
USDA’s Plant Protection & Quarantine as a Director within Field Operations. Oversees several domestic programs like Fruit Flies, Citrus Health Response, and Pale Cyst Nematode, as well as Export & Trade. She is the co-chair of the North American Sea Container Initiative and represents the North American Plant Protection Organization on the CPM Focus Group on Sea Containers.
| Titre | Fichiers | Publication date |
|---|---|---|
| Nomination Form for NPPOs | En | 27 Fév 2023 |
| International Workshop on Sea Containers Brisbane Concept Note | En | 22 Mar 2023 |
