The Regulatory Framework for the International Movement of Seed and ISF's Regulated Pest List Initiative

Radha Ranganathan

III Workshop on International Trade of Propagating Material "Promoting improvements in international traffic through the exchange of information"

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The International Seed Federation 192 Members in 69 countries

2015

Global seed market: USD 45 billion

Internationally traded: USD 11 billion

ISF Members together account for over 90% of international seed trade

The Seed Industry and the International Movement of Seed

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The seed industry is global

– Frequent re-exports of variable quantities of seed

– Intended use of seed being moved varies

The seed industry is highly professional

– Industry quality management systems that prevent and reduce pest risks

The seed industry does its best to ensure the safe movement of seed in international trade in order to protect agriculture, human health and the environment

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Scope of the ISPM on the International Movement of Seeds

Guidance to assist national plant protection organizations (NPPOs) in identifying, assessing and managing the pest risk associated with the international movement of seeds ...

Guidance on procedures to establish phytosanitary import requirements to facilitate the international movement of seeds; on inspection, sampling and testing of seeds; and on procedures for the certification of seeds for export and re-export

The Regulatory Framework for the International Movement of Seed

The ISPM on the international movement of seed

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1. Pest Risk Analysis

– Seed as pests

– Seeds as pathway

– Purpose of import

– Mixing, blending and bulking of seeds

– Pest management in seed production

2. Phytosanitary Measures

3. Equivalency of Phytosanitary Measures

4. Specific Requirements

5. Phytosanitary Certification

6. Record Keeping

Seed as a pathway

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All seed-transmitted pests are seed-borne

Seed-borne pests may be introduced

Not all seed-borne pests necessarily lead to establishment

Some seed-borne pests that do not transmit a disease may, nevertheless, establish (e.g. contaminating pest)

ISPM 5 - Pathway: Any means that allows the entry or spread of a pest

When is seed a pest risk?

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1. Seed can be a pathway (e.g. Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. michiganensis on tomato seed)

2. Pest can be found as a contaminant of the seed of the crop but the crop/species itself is not a host (e.g. Karnal bunt spores on soybean seed)

3. Crop species in question is not a host (e.g. Pseudomonas syringae pv. lachrymans, Puccinia allii, Septoria petrosellini on pepper)

4. Seed is not the pathway (e.g. Meloidogyne incognita in Cucumber seed)

5. Inadequate evidence that seed is the pathway (e.g. Curvularia lanata on pepper seed found in one report only)

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GOAL

Develop a database of information on regulated pests for internationally traded seed species based on science and the experience of the seed industry

Objectives:

Serve as a resource for the industry, regulatory bodies and the research community

Facilitate the harmonization of phytosanitary requirements

The ISF Regulated Pest List Initiative

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Lists of regulated pests taken from NPPO databases and company information on Additional Declarations required per crop and country; updated for new pests every 2 years

Classification of each pest by whether “seed is a pathway” backed up scientific review and remarks pertinent to the industry

Information reviewed by 3 industry experts and documented with references to support or refute the classification

Feedback mechanism open to experts outside the industry

Regular revision and updates

The Regulated Pest List Database

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The ISF Regulated Pest List Database: Contents

Seed/crop species: Each regulated pest list is for one species

The exception so far is Cucurbita spp. (squash and pumpkin)

Pest type: bacterium, fungus, virus, etc. – most common synonyms – other complementary information (e.g. teleomorph / anamorph)

As used in Phyto ADs and only the most recent

Pest classification: Is seed a pathway? Answer, references, remarks

If "seed is a pathway" or "pathway is not proven"

Detection: Is there a seed test? Answer, test type, references, remarks

Risk Mitigation: Managed by seed treatment? Answer, treatment type, references, remarks

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Pest Classification: Is seed a pathway?

Not a host, when the crop in question is not a host

No, if seed is not the pathway for entry or spread

Yes, if seed is a pathway for entry or spread of the pathogen

Pathway not proven, when pathway is not verified, is not proven, if the evidence is doubtful, if there is conflicting evidence

Yes, but crop is not a host, if seed is the pathway but the crop in question is not a host

http://www.worldseed.org/our-work/phytosanitary-matters/pest-lists/

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Is seed a pathway?

Crop Species (9) Regulated pests

(no.) TOTAL 666

Is seed a pathway? (in percentages)

Yes Pathway not proven No Not a host

Carrot 92 4 8 46 42

Cucumber 90 4 9 56 31

Lettuce 64 5 16 56 23

Melon 69 12 20 45 23

Onion 94 7 13 44 36

Pepper 107 8 17 43 32

Spinach 38 21 8 34 34

Squash & pumpkin 54 9 17 50 24

Watermelon 58 9 10 55 26

Average (%) → 9 13 48 30

Potential Benefits to the Industry

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Cost savings directly to companies with less field inspections and lab tests for Phyto ADs

Quick reference for companies to see what is available in terms of risk mitigation (seed tests and seed treatments)

A tool that allows the industry to respond to new reports regarding seed as a pathway

Establishes the credibility of the seed industry as a stakeholder

Promote science based national regulations

Elimination of irrelevant Phyto ADs that act as non-tariff trade barriers

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Seed is Life