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Amendments to the Plant Protection Agreement for Asia Pacific Region International Plant Protection Convention
Treaty Type:
Multilateral
Common Name:
APPPA first of the 1999 Amendments
Responsible Department:
Primary Industries
Administering Department:
Treaty Summary:
The convention aims to prevent the introduction and spread within the Asia Pacific Region of destructive plant diseases and pests. These amendments bring the convention into line with the revised International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) and the World Trade Organisation Agreement on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures. They were adopted in 1999 at the same time as the amendments deleting measures to exclude "South American Leaf Blight of Hevea" from the region.
Key obligations include participation in regional sub-committees to develop regional and sub-regional standards for plant protection. These standards will be consistent with the IPPC, to which New Zealand has been Party since 1952. Other functions incorporated in the amendments include the harmonisation of pesticide regulations and a review of the status of integrated pest management and the promotion of its implementation within the region.
NZ Adherence Status:
In Progress
Negotiation Status:
New Zealand formally accepting two amendments to the Plant Protection Agreement for the Asia and Pacific Region (Agreement) adopted and approved by Cabinet on 15 Sept 2017. New Zealand accepts the two sets of amendments proposed and approved in 1999 for the Revised Plant Protection Agreement for the Asia and Pacific Region (Agreement).
Provisions of the amendments describe:
- the functions of the Agreement that include the development of regional standards, harmonisation, information sharing and training
- the development of regional and sub-regional standards
- international cooperation stressing cooperation in information exchange, participation in pest control programmes and collaboration with the Secretariat of the IPPC
- the updating of earlier provisions regarding pest lists and pest control.
The proposed first amendment is mainly focussed on facilitating the work of contracting Governments in following the requirements of the IPPC and the SPS Agreement (although there are also amendments to the articles regarding the administration of the Agreement, finance and the sub-commission).
The second amendment references Article VI and Appendix B of the Agreement currently in force. These measures concern the major disease of rubber known as South American leaf blight. This disease is not present in the Asia and Pacific region. The measures have been replaced with a regional phytosanitary measures that was adopted by the Asia and Pacific Plant Protection Commission at its 26th session in 2009.
New Zealand deposited an instrument of acceptance for the Amendments on 14 August 2017, and the Amendments will enter into force once a plurality of contracting parties accept the amendment.
Organisation:
Is Signed By NZ:
No
Signature Date:
Ratified or Signed:
No
Requires Ratification:
No
NZ Territorial Applications:
Tokelau
Information about required Legislation:
Impacts on Maori:
-Maori may have interest in how this treaty could help to protect the resources that are important to Maori, e.g. to prevent the introduction into and spread within the APPPC region (including New Zealand) of plant pests and diseases, and to develop and harmonise regional standards on pest management, therefore to protect the health of plant, human and animal health and the environment, and facilitate safe trade of plant and plant products.
Impacts on Stakeholders:
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Link To Legislation:
Treaty Text Link:
Contact Information:
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