ISPM 03 1995 en 1998-07-13

Publication No.
3
February 1996
INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS FOR

PHYTOSANITARY MEASURES
CODE OF CONDUCT FOR THE IMPORT

AND RELEASE OF EXOTIC
BIOLOGICAL CONTROL AGENTS
Secretariat of the International Plant Protection Convention

Food and Agriculture Organization
of the United Nations
Rome, 1996
The designations employed and the presentation of material in this
publication do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the
part of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or area or of its
authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries.
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a

retrieval system, or transmitted in any form by any means, electronic, mechanical,
photocopying or otherwise, without the prior permission of the copyright owner.
Applications for such permission, with a statement of the purpose and extent of the
reproduction, should be addressed to the Director, Information Division, Food and
Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Viale delle Terme di Caracalla, 00100
Rome, Italy.
© FAO 1996
CONTENTS
Endorsement 1
Review and amendment 2
Distribution 3
INTRODUCTION
SCOPE 4
REFERENCES 4
DEFINITIONS AND ABBREVIATIONS 5
OUTLINE OF THE CODE 9
CODE OF CONDUCT FOR THE IMPORT AND RELEASE OF EXOTIC

BIOLOGICAL CONTROL AGENTS
1. Objectives of the Code 10
2. Designation of authority responsible 11
3. Responsibilities of authorities prior to import 11
4. Responsibilities of importer prior to import 13
5. Responsibilities of exporter prior to export 14
6. Responsibilities of authorities upon import 16
7. Responsibilities of authorities before and upon release 16
8. Responsibilities of importer after import and release 17
9. Observance of the Code 17

Code of conduct for the import and release of exotic biological control agents / 1
Endorsement
International standards for phytosanitary measures are prepared by the Secretariat of the
International Plant Protection Convention as part of the United Nations Food and
Agriculture Organization’s global programme of policy and technical assistance in plant
quarantine. This programme makes available to FAO Members and other interested parties
these standards, guidelines and recommendations to achieve international harmonization of
phytosanitary measures, with the aim to facilitate trade and avoid the use of unjustifiable
measures as barriers to trade.
The following standard was endorsed by the 28th Session of the FAO Conference in
November 1995.
Jacques Diouf
Director-General
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
Review and amendment

International standards for phytosanitary measures are subject to periodic review and
amendment. The next review date for this standard is 2001, or such other date as may be
agreed upon by the Commission on Phytosanitary Measures.
Standards will be updated and republished as necessary. Standard holders should ensure
that the current edition of this standard is being used.
Distribution
International standards for phytosanitary measures are distributed by the Secretariat of the
International Plant Protection Convention to all FAO Members, plus the
Executive/Technical Secretariats of the Regional Plant Protection Organizations:
- Asia and Pacific Plant Protection Commission

- Caribbean Plant Protection Commission
- Comité Regional de Sanidad Vegetal para el Cono Sur
- Comunidad Andina
- European and Mediterranean Plant Protection Organization
- InterAfrican Phytosanitary Council
- North American Plant Protection Organization
- Organismo Internacional Regional de Sanidad Agropecuaria
- Pacific Plant Protection Organization.
INTRODUCTION
SCOPE
This standard describes the Code of Conduct for the Import and Release of Exotic
Biological Control Agents. It lists the responsibilities of the authorities of governments,
and the responsibilities of the exporters and importers of biological control agents.
The Code addresses the importation of exotic biological control agents capable of self-
replication (parasitoids, predators, parasites, phytophagous arthropods and pathogens) for
research and/or release into the environment including those packaged or formulated as
commercial products.
Governments that are already fulfilling the objectives of this Code by regulation or other
equivalent means may consider adapting their existing systems in the light of this Code.
REFERENCES
- Anon, 1988. New organisms in New Zealand. Procedures and legislation for the
importation of new organisms into New Zealand and the development, field testing and
release of genetically modified organisms. A discussion document. Ministry for the
Environment, Wellington, New Zealand, 59 p.
- Coulson, J.R. & Soper, R.S., 1989. Protocols for the introduction of biological control
agents in the U.S. pp. 1-35. In Plant Protection and Quarantine vol III, Special Topics.
R.P. Kahn (ed.), CRC Press, Boca Raton, Florida.
- Coulson, J.R., Soper, R.S. & Williams, D.W., 1992. Proceedings of USDA ARS
Workshop on Biological Control Quarantine: Needs and Procedures, 14-17 Jan. 1991,
Baltimore, Maryland, Washington, DC, US Department of Agriculture, Agricultural
Research Service, 336 p.
- EEC, 1991. Official Journal of the European Communities: Council Directive of 15 July
1991.
- Glossary of phytosanitary terms, 1997. ISPM Pub. No. 5, FAO, Rome.1
- Guidelines for pest risk analysis, 1996. ISPM Pub. No. 2, FAO, Rome.
- Guidelines on the registration of biological pest control agents, 1988. FAO, Rome.
- International code of conduct on the distribution and use of pesticides (Amended
version), 1990. FAO, Rome.
- International Plant Protection Convention, 1992. FAO, Rome.
- Laird, M., Lacey, L.A. & Davidson, E.W. (eds.), 1990. Safety of microbial insecticides.
CRC Press, Boca Raton, Florida, 259 p.
- Leppla, N.C. & Ashley, T.R. 1978. Facilities for insect research and production.
USDA Technical Bulletin, No. 1576, 86 p.
- Lundholm, B. & Stackerud, M. (eds.), 1980. Environmental protection and biological
forms of control of pest organisms. Swedish Natural Science Research Council, Ecological
Bulletin no. 31, 171 p.
1
The terms and definitions published in 1996 in this standard conform to this edition of the Glossary
of phytosanitary terms.
- NORAGRIC, 1990. Proceedings of the workshop on health and environmental impact

of alternative control agents for desert locust control. NORAGRIC Occasional Papers
Series C. Development and Environment, no. 5, 114 p.
- Waterhouse, D.F., 1991. Guidelines for biological control projects in the Pacific. South
Pacific Commission Information Document, 57, Noumea, New Caledonia, 30 p.
- WHO, 1981. Mammalian safety of microbial agents for vector control: a WHO
memorandum. Bulletin of the World Health Organization, 59: 857-863.
DEFINITIONS AND ABBREVIATIONS

Antagonist An organism (usually pathogen) which does no
significant damage to the host but its colonization
of the host protects the host from significant
subsequent damage by a pest.
Area An officially defined country, part of a country or

all or parts of several countries.
Authority The National Plant Protection Organization, or

other entity or person officially designated by the
government to deal with matters arising from the
responsibilities set forth in the Code.
Biological control (Biocontrol) Pest control strategy making use of living natural
enemies, antagonists or competitors and other self-
replicating biotic entities.
Biological control agent A natural enemy, antagonist or competitor, and

other self-replicating biotic entity, used for pest
control.
Biological pesticide
(Biopesticide) A generic term, not specifically definable, but
generally applied to a biological control agent,
usually a pathogen, formulated and applied in a
manner similar to a chemical pesticide, and
normally used for the rapid reduction of a pest
population for short-term pest control.
Classical biological control The intentional introduction and permanent

establishment of an exotic biological agent for long-
term pest control.
Competitor An organism which competes with pests for

essential elements (e.g. food, shelter) in the
environment.
Ecoarea An area with similar fauna, flora and climate and

hence similar concerns about the introduction of
biological control agents.
Ecosystem A complex of organisms and their environment,

interacting as a defined ecological unit (natural or
modified by human activity, e.g. agroecosystem),
irrespective of political boundaries.
Establishment (of a
biological control agent) The perpetuation, for the foreseeable future, of a
biological control agent within an area after entry.
Exotic Not native to a particular country, ecosystem or

ecoarea (applied to organisms intentionally or
accidentally introduced as a result of human
activities). As this Code is directed at the
introduction of biological control agents from one
country to another, the term "exotic" is used for
organisms not native to a country.
Import permit (of a

biological control agent) An official document authorizing importation (of a
biological control agent) in accordance with
specified requirements.
Introduction (of a
biological control agent) The release of a biological control agent into an
ecosystem where it did not exist previously (see
also "establishment").
Inundative release The release of overwhelming numbers of a mass-

produced, invertebrate biological control agent in
the expectation of achieving a rapid reduction of a
pest population without necessarily achieving
continuing impact.
IPPC International Plant Protection Convention, as

deposited in 1951 with FAO in Rome and as
subsequently amended.
Legislation Any act, law, regulation, guideline or other

administrative order promulgated by a government.
Micro-organism A protozoan, fungus, bacterium, virus or other

microscopic self-replicating biotic entity.
National Plant Protection

Organization (NPPO) Official service established by a government to
discharge the functions specified by the IPPC.
Natural enemy An organism which lives at the expense of another

organism and which may help to limit the
population of its host. This includes parasitoids,
parasites, predators and pathogens.
Naturally occurring A component of an ecosystem or a selection from a

wild population, not altered by artificial means.
Organism Biotic entity capable of reproduction or replication;

vertebrate or invertebrate animals, plants and
micro-organisms.
Parasite An organism which lives on or in a larger organism,

feeding upon it.
Parasitoid An insect parasitic only in its immature stages,

killing its host in the process of its development,
and free living as an adult.
Pathogen Micro-organism causing disease.
Pest Any species, strain or biotype of plant, animal, or

pathogenic agent, injurious to plants or plant
products.
Predator A natural enemy that preys and feeds on other

animal organisms, more than one of which are
killed during its lifetime.
Quarantine (of a
biological control agent) Official confinement of biological control agents
subject to phytosanitary regulations for observation
and research, or for further inspection and/or
testing.
Release (into the

environment) Intentional liberation of an organism into the
environment (see also "introduction" and
"establishment").
Specificity A measure of the host range of a biological control

agent on a scale ranging from an extreme specialist
only able to complete development on a single
species or strain of its host (monophagous) to a
generalist with many hosts ranging over several
groups of organisms (polyphagous).
OUTLINE OF THE CODE

The Code is concerned with the importation of exotic biological control agents capable of
self-replication (e.g. parasitoids, predators, parasites, phytophagous arthropods and
pathogens) for research, and field release of control agents used in biological control and
those used as biological pesticides. Currently used formulations of live pathogens are
included because they possess the potential for multiplication and persistence in the
environment. Naturally occurring strains (genetically, if not morphologically distinct
entities) of natural enemies may show notable differences in specificity and infectivity, for
example strains of Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt), and if exotic, fall within the terms of
reference of this Code.
It is recognized that it may often be difficult to know whether the agent in a biological
pesticide is exotic or not. For that reason many biological pesticides may have to be treated
as though they were exotic.
The Code does not deal with other pest control techniques, that are also sometimes referred
to as "biological controls", notably, autocidal methods, resistant host plants, as well as
behaviour-modifying chemicals and other novel biological products. For toxic products of
microbes used as pesticides which cannot reproduce and which are similar to conventional
chemical pesticides, refer to the FAO International Code of Conduct on the Distribution
and Use of Pesticides where they are covered in detail.
Procedures governing the handling and release into the environment of strains of organisms
created artificially by genetic engineering are currently being examined by various
international organizations and by national programmes. If required this Code could be
applied to these organisms.
It is possible that this Code, after due evaluation, could also be applied to the introduction
of exotic biological agents to control pests affecting human or animal health or the
conservation of natural habitats.
Thus the Code deals with:
- the import of exotic biological control agents for research,

- the import and release of exotic biological control agents for biocontrol,
- the import and release of exotic biological control agents for use as
biological pesticides where those products incorporate organisms which can
multiply.
It does this by:
- identifying the three main groups involved in importing and releasing

biological control agents: authorities (as the organizations representing
government); exporters and importers;
- describing three responsibility phases of the process of import and release:
the responsibilities of those involved before export; those before and upon
importation; and those after importation.
CODE OF CONDUCT FOR THE IMPORT AND RELEASE OF

EXOTIC BIOLOGICAL CONTROL AGENTS
1. Objectives of the Code
1.1 The objectives of the Code are to:
- facilitate the safe import, export and release of exotic biological control
agents by introducing procedures of an internationally acceptable level for
all public and private entities involved, particularly where national
legislation to regulate their use does not exist or is inadequate;
- describe the shared responsibility of the many segments of society involved

and the need for cooperation between importing and exporting countries so
that:
- benefits to be derived are achieved without significant adverse

effects,
- practices which ensure efficient and safe use while minimizing
health and environmental concerns due to improper handling or use
are promoted.
Standards are described that:
- encourage responsible and generally accepted trade practices,

- assist countries to design regulations to control the suitability and
quality of imported exotic biological control agents and to address
the safe handling, assessment and use of such products;
- promote the safe use of biological control agents for the
improvement of agriculture, and human, animal and plant health;
- allow all those involved in the import or release of exotic biological
control agents to determine if, in the context of the International
Plant Protection Convention and other relevant conventions and
legislation, their proposed actions and the actions of others
constitute acceptable practices.
1.2 Responsibilities are outlined for the entities which are addressed by this Code,
including governments, individually or in regional groupings; international
organizations; research institutes; industry, including producers, trade associations,
and distributors; users; and public-sector organizations such as environmental
groups, consumer groups and trade unions. All references in this Code to a
government or governments shall be deemed to apply equally to regional groupings
of governments for matters falling within their areas of competence.
2. Designation of authority responsible
2.1 Governments should designate the competent authority empowered (normally the
National Plant Protection Organization) to regulate or otherwise control and, where
appropriate, issue permits for the importation and release of biological control
agents. The authority may exercise its powers by using an internationally accepted
standard (such as this Code) for guidance or by applying national legislation (which
should be aligned with this Code). Importations of biological control agents should
only be carried out with the consent of the authority.
2.2 The authority needs to:
2.2.1 Consider the legislation and regulations for the import and release of
biological control agents.
2.2.2 Establish procedures for the assessment of the dossiers specified in section
4 and for establishing conditions appropriate to the assessed risk for the
importation of biological control agents either with confinement in
quarantine or directly to the importing agent without such requirement.
2.2.3 Maintain appropriate communication with and advise affected parties,

including, where appropriate, other authorities on:
- despatch and handling procedures,
- release and evaluation of agents,
- distribution, trade and advertising factors,
- labelling, packaging and storage,
- information exchange, and
- occurrence of unexpected and/or deleterious incidents, including
remedial action taken.
3. Responsibilities of authorities prior to import
3.1 The authority of an importing country should:
3.1.1 Endeavour to promote compliance with the Code or use specific powers or
introduce necessary legislation to regulate the import, distribution and
release of biological control agents in their countries, and make provision
for effective enforcement.
3.1.2 Evaluate the dossiers specified in section 4 on the pest and the candidate
biocontrol agent supplied by the importer in relation to the degree of
acceptable risk and establish conditions for importation, containment or
release appropriate to the assessed risk.
3.1.3 Issue regulations and/or import permits stating conditions to be fulfilled by

the exporter and importer. As appropriate, these should include the:
- requirements to ensure authoritative identification of the agent,

- specified source of the biocontrol agent,
- precautions to be taken against inclusion of natural enemies of the
agent,
- measures required for the exclusion of contaminants (especially
quarantine pests),
- nature of the packaging to provide appropriate security,
- measures to allow inspection without escape of contents,
- point of entry,
- person or organization to receive the consignment,
- conditions under which the package may be opened,
- facilities in which the biological control agent may be held.
3.1.4 Ensure that procedures are available for the full documentation of the
importation (identity, origins), release (numbers/quantities, dates, localities),
impact of each particular biological control agent in each country and any
other data relevant to assessing the outcome, and make records are
available to the scientific community and the public, as may be appropriate,
while protecting any proprietary rights to the data.
3.1.5 If appropriate, ensure entry and where required, processing through

quarantine facilities or consider where a country does not have secure
quarantine facilities, the importation through an accredited intermediate
quarantine station in a third country.
3.1.6 Ensure the deposition in appropriate collections of authoritatively identified

voucher specimens of the pest(s) and imported biological control agent
where they will be available for reference and study.
3.1.7 Consider the necessity to require culturing of imported control agents in

quarantine before release. Culturing for one generation can help in ensuring
purity of the culture, authoritative identification, freedom from
hyperparasites and pathogens or associated pests. This is especially
advisable when wild collected agents are involved.
3.1.8 Decide if after a first import, further imports of the same biological control
agent can be exempted from some or all of the requirements for import.
3.1.9 Maintain appropriate communication with and advise affected parties,

including, where appropriate, other authorities on:
- despatch and handling procedures,
- release and evaluation of agents,
- distribution, trade and advertising factors,
- labelling, packaging and storage,
- information exchange, and
- occurrence of unexpected and/or deleterious incidents, including
remedial action to be taken.
3.1.10 Ensure, in the case of repeat imports of a biological control agent for use in
biocontrol or as a biopesticide, that documentation of the certification
system permitting entry and release is such that only imports of at least
equivalent standard to the approved import are released.
3.1.11 Take action to inform and educate local suppliers of biological control
agents, farmers, farmer organizations, agricultural workers’ unions, and
other interested parties on the appropriate use of biological control agents.
3.1.12 Consult with authorities in neighbouring countries within the same ecoarea
and with relevant regional organizations to clarify and resolve any potential
conflicts of interest that may arise between countries.
3.2 The authority of an exporting country, to the extent possible, should:
3.2.1 Ensure that regulations of the importing country relevant to the Code are
followed in the export from their countries of biological control agents.
3.2.2 Follow, where the importing country has no or limited legislation

concerning the import of biological control agents, the elements of the
Code concerning the export of agents.
3.2.3 Ensure that arrangements are made for the taking and storing of voucher
specimens of the exported material.
4. Responsibilities of importer prior to import
4.1 At the first importation, the importer of biological control agents for any purpose
should prepare dossiers for submission to the authority with information on the pest
to be controlled, including:
4.1.1 Accurate identification of the target pest, its world distribution and probable
origin,
4.1.2 Assessment of its importance,
4.1.3 Its known natural enemies, antagonists or competitors already present or

used in the proposed release area or in other parts of the world.
should prepare dossiers with information on the candidate biological control agent
including:
4.2.1 Accurate identification or, where necessary, sufficient characterization of

the agent to allow its unambiguous recognition,
4.2.2 A summary of all available information on its origin, distribution, biology,

natural enemies and impact in its area of distribution,
4.2.3 An analysis of the host specificity of the biological control agent and any
potential hazards posed to non-target hosts,
4.2.4 Natural enemies or contaminants of the candidate agent and procedures

required for their elimination from laboratory colonies including, if
appropriate, procedures to accurately identify and, if necessary, eliminate
from the culture the host upon which the agent was cultured.
should also prepare a dossier for presentation to the authority which identifies
potential hazards analyses the risks posed thereby and proposes mitigating
procedures with respect to:
- those who may be handling biological control agents under laboratory,

production and field conditions,
- human and animal health following introduction.
4.4 The importer of candidate biological control agents proposed for research in
quarantine only should include information on the above points, plus the:
- nature of the material proposed for importation,

- security of quarantine (based on a description of the facilities and the
qualifications of the staff).
4.5 The importer of biological control agents for import and release and use as
biological pesticides should include in the dossier specified in 4.3 above, an analysis
of the risks posed to possible non-target organisms and to the environment
generally and should detail available emergency procedures should the biological
control agent after release display unexpected adverse properties. The dossier
should also contain a report detailing laboratory tests, and/or field observations and
any other appropriate data to indicate the known or probable host range of the
candidate agent. Testing should be based on recommended procedures and
approved by the authority. These tests should relate to the candidate agent only and
different procedures should apply to any additives used in formulations of products
which contain biological control agents.
5. Responsibilities of exporter prior to export
5.1 Exporters of biological pesticides and other biological control agents for inundative
release should:
5.1.1 Take all necessary steps to ensure that exported biological control agents
conform to relevant regulations of importing countries, FAO and World
Health Organization specifications concerning labelling, packaging and

advertising, in particular the International Code of Conduct on Distribution
and Use of Pesticides, as applicable, and this Code.
5.1.2 Ensure that biological control agents used in biological pesticides and for
inundative release are evaluated for safety as provided for in section 4.3.
5.1.3 Ensure that all biological pesticides and other biological control agents for
inundative release are evaluated for safety to human health and the
environment and freedom from contaminating organisms.
5.2 The exporter of biological control agents for any purpose should ensure that:
5.2.1 All conditions specified in the regulations of the importing country or on

the import permit are complied with.
5.2.2 Consignments, upon export, are accompanied by appropriate

documentation:
- specifying that the contents are in compliance with the legislative
provisions of the importing country and the permit provisions for
that consignment,
- including information on the identity and recognition, safety, rearing
or culture, and handling methods of the agent, and on possible
contaminants, their recognition and elimination.
5.2.3 Packaging be sufficiently robust and consists of inert material secured in

such a way that it can be inspected without escape of the contents.
Wherever possible, organisms should be transported without their hosts (to
reduce quarantine risks) and/or when they are in a dormant, inactive stage
that is least likely to escape from packaging.
5.3 The exporter of biological control agents for research or classical biological control
should also ensure that:
5.3.1 The import permit and all other documentation required in association with
it are available prior to dispatch of the agent.
5.3.2 Packages are properly labelled in the official language of the importing
country as to their contents and handling both in transit and on receipt in
the receiving country. The information should include instructions to
handlers and officials at the point of entry on how the package should be
treated to avoid damage to the contents and on action to be taken if the
packaging is breached. It should also indicate whether it may be opened for
customs inspection or must be sent directly into quarantine before opening.
5.3.3 Advance notice with full details of routing is provided to the receiver to
minimize delays and to alert officials at the point of entry.
6. Responsibilities of authorities upon import
6.1 Authorities should:
6.1.1 Ensure that, where required (see section 3.1.5), all imports of classical
biological control agents for research or biological control, after completion
of import requirements at the point of entry, are taken directly to the
specified quarantine facility for inspection or other required procedure. All
dead, diseased or contaminated material, as well as extraneous material and
packaging material should be sterilized or destroyed in quarantine.
6.1.2 Ensure that biological control agents for which it is considered necessary
(see section 3.1.6) are cultured in quarantine as long as has been specified
by the authority.
6.1.3 Allow certain biological control agents to be passed directly for release
providing all conditions have been complied with and appropriate
documentary evidence is made available (see section 3). In all cases where
identification or compliance is to be checked, this should be undertaken in a
secure laboratory (i.e. a closed room with facilities for sterilizing or
autoclaving extraneous or suspect materials).
7. Responsibilities of authorities before and upon release
7.1 Authorities should:
7.1.1 If not already agreed under the terms of the import permit:
Consider for approval for release following critical assessment of the
submitted dossier on the agent and the establishment of appropriate
conditions to reduce the assessed risk to an acceptable level. Assessments
should be made using the types of procedures established in the ISPM
Guidelines for pest risk analysis (e.g. to assess risks to non-target
organisms and to identify risk-mitigating procedures). This may require
information from specified additional tests.
7.1.2 Ensure full documentation of novel importations and their release

programme as to identities, origins, numbers/quantity released, localities,
dates, location of voucher specimens and any other data relevant to
assessing the outcome, and maintenance of records of appropriate
information with regard to other repeated releases of the same species.
7.1.3 Encourage the monitoring of the release of biological control agents in

order to assess the impact on the target and non-target organisms.
7.1.4 Where problems (i.e. unexpected deleterious incidents) are identified,

consider, and where appropriate, ensure corrective action is taken and
inform all relevant interested parties.
8. Responsibilities of importer after import and release
8.1 The importer should:
8.1.1 Ensure that persons involved in distribution of their biological control

agents are trained adequately, such that they are capable of providing a user
with advice on efficient use.
8.1.2 Make information relating to the safety and environmental impact of

biological control agents publicly available, and maintain a free and frank
exchange of information, not subject to commercial confidentiality, with
exporters, authorities other importers and operators of programmes
involving biocontrol agents.
8.1.3 Consider publication of the results of each first importation and release
programme in an international journal. Such publication should include
details of the programme and its economic and environmental impact as
soon as practicable after the release of the agent.
8.1.4 Notify the authorities when problems occur and voluntarily take corrective
action and, when requested by authorities, help to find solutions to
difficulties.
8.1.5 Ensure application of the provisions of Article 11 of the International Code

of Conduct on the Distribution and Use of Pesticides with respect to the
advertising of commercial preparations of biological control agents for sale
to the public.
9. Observance of the Code
9.1 This Code should be observed through collaborative action on the part of:
governments, individually or in regional groupings; international organizations;
research institutes; industry, including producers, trade associations, and
distributors; users; and other organizations such as environmental groups,
consumer groups and trade unions.
9.2 The Code should be interpreted so that the requirements of other relevant codes or
treaties are respected.
9.3 All parties addressed by this Code should observe this Code and promote the
principles and ethics expressed, irrespective of other parties' ability to observe the
Code.
9.4 The parties involved in providing biological control agents should retain an active
interest in following their products, keeping up to date with major users and with
the occurrence of problems arising in the use of their products.
9.5 FAO Members should periodically review the relevance and effectiveness of the
Code. The Code should be considered a dynamic text which must be brought up to
date as required, taking into account technical, economic and social progress.
9.6 Authorities should monitor the observance of the Code and report on progress
made to the Director-General of FAO.
For further information on international standards, guidelines and recommendations

concerning phytosanitary measures, and the complete list of current publications, please
contact the:
Secretariat of the International Plant Protection Convention
By mail: IPPC Secretariat

Plant Protection Service
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)
Viale delle Terme di Caracalla
00100 Rome, Italy
Fax: + (39) (06) 57056347
Email: [email protected]
Or visit our WEB site at:
http://www.fao.org/WAICENT/FaoInfo/Agricult/AGP/AGPP/PQ/Default.htm

ISPM 03 1995 en 1998-07-13

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

ISPM 03 1995 en 1998-07-13

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

ISPM 03 1995 en 1998-07-13

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Publication No.

INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS FOR

CODE OF CONDUCT FOR THE IMPORT

Secretariat of the International Plant Protection Convention

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a

CODE OF CONDUCT FOR THE IMPORT AND RELEASE OF EXOTIC

1. Objectives of the Code 10

2. Designation of authority responsible 11

3. Responsibilities of authorities prior to import 11

4. Responsibilities of importer prior to import 13

5. Responsibilities of exporter prior to export 14

6. Responsibilities of authorities upon import 16

7. Responsibilities of authorities before and upon release 16

8. Responsibilities of importer after import and release 17

9. Observance of the Code 17

Review and amendment

- Asia and Pacific Plant Protection Commission

- NORAGRIC, 1990. Proceedings of the workshop on health and environmental impact

DEFINITIONS AND ABBREVIATIONS

Area An officially defined country, part of a country or

Authority The National Plant Protection Organization, or

Biological control agent A natural enemy, antagonist or competitor, and

Classical biological control The intentional introduction and permanent

Competitor An organism which competes with pests for

Ecoarea An area with similar fauna, flora and climate and

Ecosystem A complex of organisms and their environment,

Exotic Not native to a particular country, ecosystem or

Import permit (of a

Inundative release The release of overwhelming numbers of a mass-

IPPC International Plant Protection Convention, as

Legislation Any act, law, regulation, guideline or other

Micro-organism A protozoan, fungus, bacterium, virus or other

National Plant Protection

Natural enemy An organism which lives at the expense of another

Naturally occurring A component of an ecosystem or a selection from a

Organism Biotic entity capable of reproduction or replication;

Parasite An organism which lives on or in a larger organism,

Parasitoid An insect parasitic only in its immature stages,

Pathogen Micro-organism causing disease.

Pest Any species, strain or biotype of plant, animal, or

Predator A natural enemy that preys and feeds on other

Release (into the

Specificity A measure of the host range of a biological control

OUTLINE OF THE CODE

Thus the Code deals with:

- the import of exotic biological control agents for research,

It does this by:

- identifying the three main groups involved in importing and releasing

CODE OF CONDUCT FOR THE IMPORT AND RELEASE OF

1. Objectives of the Code

1.1 The objectives of the Code are to:

- describe the shared responsibility of the many segments of society involved

- benefits to be derived are achieved without significant adverse

Standards are described that:

- encourage responsible and generally accepted trade practices,

2. Designation of authority responsible

2.2 The authority needs to:

2.2.3 Maintain appropriate communication with and advise affected parties,

3. Responsibilities of authorities prior to import