Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
04ROME3541
2004-09-15 13:03:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Rome
Cable title:  

SPECIAL TRUST FUND FOR THE INTERNATIONAL PLANT

Tags:  EAGR EAID ETRD AORC ABUD IPPC FAO 
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This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
UNCLAS ROME 003541 

SIPDIS


USDA/FAS FOR REICH, HUGHES AND CHAMBLISS
USDA/APHIS FOR GREIFER
USAID FOR AA/EGAT SIMMONS, AA/DCHA WINTER,
STATE FOR IO/FO, IO/EDA BEHREND AND KOTOK;
STATE ALSO FOR E, EB, OES

FROM U.S. MISSION TO THE UN AGENCIES IN ROME

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAGR EAID ETRD AORC ABUD IPPC FAO
SUBJECT: SPECIAL TRUST FUND FOR THE INTERNATIONAL PLANT
PROTECTION CONVENTION: CONTRIBUTIONS SOLICITED

UNCLAS ROME 003541

SIPDIS


USDA/FAS FOR REICH, HUGHES AND CHAMBLISS
USDA/APHIS FOR GREIFER
USAID FOR AA/EGAT SIMMONS, AA/DCHA WINTER,
STATE FOR IO/FO, IO/EDA BEHREND AND KOTOK;
STATE ALSO FOR E, EB, OES

FROM U.S. MISSION TO THE UN AGENCIES IN ROME

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAGR EAID ETRD AORC ABUD IPPC FAO
SUBJECT: SPECIAL TRUST FUND FOR THE INTERNATIONAL PLANT
PROTECTION CONVENTION: CONTRIBUTIONS SOLICITED


1. Summary and Recommendation: U.S. Mission received a
letter dated 26 August 2004 from FAO's Assistant Director
for Technical Cooperation, soliciting USG support for the
newly established Special Trust Fund for the
International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC). The
concept of a voluntary fund to assist developing
countries in strengthening their national phytosanitary
systems was endorsed by the Interim Commission on
Phytosanitary Measures (ICPM) in April 2003. U.S.
Mission notes that reinforcing the institutional and
regulatory capacity of developing countries in this area
would help facilitate international trade in agricultural
products. We recommend that Washington agencies give
active consideration to FAO's request for support. End
summary and recommendation.

TEXT OF FAO LETTER


2. Begin text:

I have the honour to refer to the establishment of a
multi-donor International Plant Protection Convention
(IPPC) Special Trust Fund in support of the
implementation of the IPPC. The establishment of the
aforementioned Special Trust Fund responds to FAO
Conference Resolution 12/97, which adopted the New
Revised Text of the IPPC and established, as an interim
measure until the new text comes into force, the Interim
Commission on Phytosanitary Measures (ICPM) and outlined
work to be undertaken in the interim period.

The ICPM, at its Fifth Session in April 2003, analysed
the advantages and disadvantages of a multi-donor Special
Trust Fund. The ICPM subsequently:

-- endorsed the proposal to establish a multi-donor trust
fund entitled the Special Trust Fund for the
International Plant Protection Convention;

-- noted that the Special Trust Fund would be subject to
FAO's Financial Rules and Regulations and that it would
be used according to financial guidelines agreed by the
ICPM;

-- adopted draft financial guidelines for the Special
Trust Fund of the International Plant Protection
Convention. (Note: as agreed by ICPM 6 in April 2004,
the draft financial guidelines are now being reviewed for
compliance with FAO rules before being finally approved.)

The Special Trust Fund would involve only voluntary
contributions.

The objective of the Fund, as agreed by the ICPM, is to
provide resources to benefit developing countries
through:

-- attendance at the standard setting meetings;

-- participation in a training programme on information
exchange through the internet;
regional workshops on draft standards and implementing
standards;

-- development of guidance for countries to use in the
evaluation of institutional and regulatory aspects of
national phytosanitary systems;

-- encouragement of individual members to utilize
Phytosanitary Capacity Evaluation and formulate national
phytosanitary plans;

-- any other project agreed by the ICPM.

The ICPM also agreed that the Special Trust Fund should
have the following three basic conditions for its
operation:

-- exclusive use for the direct benefit of developing
countries;

-- supplementary character of such funding to FAO's
Programme of Work on IPPC; and


-- ICPM responsibility for the selection of outputs to be
funded from this source.

In view of the recommendations of the ICPM and in order
to support the work of the Interim Commission, it would
be appreciated if you could inform me of your
Government's willingness to contribute to the proposed
multi-donor Special Trust Fund.

End text.

HALL


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2004ROME03541 - Classification: UNCLASSIFIED