Requests for Topics, Treatment Data, and Experts

Last Modified: July 03, 2024

The International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) and North American Plant Protection Organization (NAPPO) hold open periods where they invite member countries to submit input on or otherwise participate in plant health activities. These requests for participation are known as "calls." They occur at various times throughout the year and cover a variety of purposes.

APHIS coordinates all U.S. responses to IPPC and NAPPO calls. If you have a stake in U.S. plant health or global plant trade, we'd love to hear from you.

IPPC Calls

IPPC calls include requests for data, information, topics for standards, phytosanitary treatments, tools for implementation, expert nominations, project proposals, support, and more. The IPPC Secretariat holds open periods on a regular and as-needed basis. If you're interested in participating in an upcoming IPPC call, you must submit your proposals or nominations to the U.S. Official Point of Contact. See submission instructions below.

Topics: Standards and Implementation

IPPC standards play a critical role in safeguarding plant resources and creating new export opportunities for producers and exporters. Priority is given to proposals that have the largest potential global impact, contribute to the purpose of the IPPC, can be implemented at the global level, clearly identify problems that need to be resolved through the development or implementation of standards, and for which there is adequate technical information available to support the proposed initiative.

The next IPPC call for topics is planned for 2025. Visit the IPPC website to view the criteria for proposals, download the submission forms, and read about other requirements.

Phytosanitary Treatment Submission Data

The IPPC Secretariat accepts submissions for phytosanitary treatment data at any time, as long as resources are available.

If you are submitting a phytosanitary treatment proposal, email it to marina.a.zlotina@usda.gov along with data and relevant references at least 120 days before the deadline (if applicable). Our experts will review both the technical aspects of your submission, as well as the accuracy of the forms.

Experts

Once the dates are confirmed for a meeting of experts to draft a standard, the IPPC Secretariat holds a call for experts. Nominations must come from the national or regional plant protection organization and should have the necessary scientific expertise and subject matter experience to assist in developing the draft standard.

If you will be submitting a nomination through APHIS, send your call for experts package to marina.a.zlotina@usda.gov at least 10 business days before the deadline so we can ensure your submission is complete.

Authors for Diagnostic Protocols

Based on the IPPC work program needs, the IPPC Secretariat solicits nominations for authors for IPPC diagnostic protocols (DPs). Visit the IPPC website to view the criteria for DP authors, download the nomination forms, and read about other requirements.

For DP author nominations originating in the United States, the nominations must be submitted to the national plant protection organization. The U.S. IPPC Official Contact Point will review the nomination and submit it to the IPPC Secretariat, if there are no further questions to the nominee.

Please note USDA has neither the funding nor legal authority to send external subject matter experts to IPPC meetings.

Send your nomination package to marina.a.zlotina@usda.gov at least 10 business days before the deadline so we can ensure your submission is complete.

Questions?

For questions or submissions to IPPC calls, email APHIS' IPPC Technical Director Marina A. Zlotina at marina.a.zlotina@usda.gov.

NAPPO Calls

The North American Plant Protection Organization (NAPPO) holds calls for projects every other year. Additionally, APHIS holds a formal expert selection process for approved NAPPO projects. If you're interested in participating in an upcoming NAPPO call, you must submit your proposals or nominations to APHIS' NAPPO Technical Director. See submission instructions below.

Projects

The next formal call for NAPPO project proposals will occur in 2026. Stakeholders from NAPPO member countries (the United States, Canada, and Mexico) can submit new proposals for NAPPO’s consideration. Stakeholders from the United States should work with APHIS' NAPPO Technical Director, Stephanie Dubon, to submit proposals.

The call for project proposals is NAPPO’s first step in the process for identifying new projects or topics to add to its work program. This is also the initial step in the NAPPO standard-setting process for proposals to develop regional standards.

Proposals may focus on the development or revision of regional standards, workshops to improve the implementation of standards, technical and scientific documents, protocols, or other projects to develop similar and consistent approaches for plant health measures.

Priority will be given to proposals that have the largest potential regional impact, contribute to the purpose of NAPPO, can be implemented at the regional level, clearly identify problems that need to be resolved through the development or implementation of standards, and for which there is adequate technical information available to support the proposed initiative.

Visit the NAPPO website to view the criteria for proposals, download the submission forms, and read about other requirements.

Expert Selection

Once NAPPO’s Executive Committee adds the project to the NAPPO work program, the NAPPO Secretariat forms expert groups, which include regional regulatory, technical, and industry experts. Calls for experts vary, depending on the NAPPO project.

Make your voice heard

For more information on the NAPPO call for projects or expert selection, email APHIS' NAPPO Technical Director at stephanie.m.dubon@usda.gov.