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Phytosanitary Measures to Prevent the Introduction of Invasive Species 369
Pallets, packing crates, and packing materials are significant sources of
invasive species. Wooden crates and pallets have been the suspected routes of
entry for tree-infesting pests, such as the Asian long-horned beetle, Anoplophora
glabripennis. International guidelines for regulating wood packaging
materials in international trade have been developed (FAO 2002).
Packing materials may comprise a variety of organic and inorganic materials,
such as paper, plant fiber, and a variety of plastics. Besides directly
infesting organic materials, invasive species may be casually collected with
the dunnage, or enter the containers during or after packaging. Packing under
bright artificial lighting at night in semi-open facilities often results in flying
insects being included in the packages.
21.2 International Regulatory Organizations
The International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) is an international
treaty in force since 1952 to prevent the spread and introduction of pests of
plants and plant products, and promote measures for their control. Four-fifths
of the nations of the world are members. It adopts International Standards for
Phytosanitary Measures and sets standards for settling disputes among member
countries. Member countries have national plant protection organizations
established according to the IPPC with authority in areas of quarantine control,
risk analysis, and measures required to prevent the establishment and
spread of invasive alien species that are pests of plants. Parties agree to cooperate
on information exchange and on the development of International Standards
for Phytosanitary Measures.
There are nine regional organizations that concentrate on phytosanitary
and sometimes animal health issues within their own regions, and coordinate
with the IPPC to gather information and implement phytosanitary measures.
Some countries are members of overlapping regional organizations. For
example, Mexico is member of the Caribbean Plant Protection Commission,
the Organismo Internacional Regional de Sanidad Agropecuario (comprises
Central America and Mexico), and the North American Plant Protection
Organization.
The Convention on Biological Diversity, in force since 1993, expands the
management of invasive species to include not strictly economic products. It
calls on member countries to “prevent the introduction of, control or eradicate
those alien species which threaten ecosystems, habitats or species.” This
convention has been very popular among United Nations members, being ratified
by all except the small countries of Andorra, Brunei Darussalam, and
East Timor, as well as Somalia, Iraq, and the United States of America.
The Agreement on the Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures
(SPS Agreement) is a supplementary to the World Trade Organization