Agriculture Committee recommends measures to stimulate trade
without spreading plant pests Adoption of new plant quarantine
standards and revision of the International Plant Protection
Convention (IPPC) to prevent the introduction of plant pests
into new areas through global trade of plant products were some
of the recommendations resulting from the 14th session of FAO's
Committee on Agriculture (COAG), held from 7 to 11 April 1997 at
FAO Headquarters in Rome. The new plant quarantine standards
proposed by the Committee are intended to guarantee more
consistency in the ways nations conduct surveillance for pests
and certify plant products for export as pest-free. If
implemented, the new standards would facilitate continued growth
in agricultural trade without increased risk of spreading plant
insect pests and diseases. Pests introduced along with imported
plant products are an increasing threat to plant resources and
food supplies as trade in agricultural products has been
liberalized and expanded. Recommende