1. Phytosanitary Capacity Evaluation (PCE) Tool
The International Plant Protection Convention

2. Purpose
Developed to provide a consistent basis for evaluating national phytosanitary capacities
Developed as an instrument to guide technical assistance needs

3. Description A self diagnostic tool designed to
allow the identification of the strengths and weaknesses of the phytosanitary system of a country,
prioritize the strengths and weaknesses
identify strategic directions and activities required to improve the situation over time.

4. History
1999:Commissioned for development by the Interim Commission on Phytosanitary Measures (ICPM);
:Developed and pilot tested in the Pacific with financing from the New Zealand Govt.
2001: Endorsed by the ICPM as the official instrument with global application for phytosanitary capacity evaluation 2000-

5. History
: Applied in over 30 countries across the Pacific, Asia, Africa, South America, the Caribbean and Central America.
2002: Instrument reviewed in FAO, Rome.
CD Rom of revised version in English being distributed to member countries.
2003: demonstrated to WTO SPS Committee

6. History 2004-05: Multilingual version prepared
English French, Spanish and Arabic
PCE upgraded to track different versions
April 2005:Informal Working Group Review in Rome
CABI contracted to review the assessment process

7. Methodology
With the PCE, the weaknesses and strengths of the country’s phytosanitary systems are evaluated in relation to its capacity to comply with the international obligations in phytosanitary matters (WTO SPS, IPPC and International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures

8. Background Documents PCE assumes a basic understanding of the IPPC
ISPMs
Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)
Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety to the CBD

9. Methodology The PCE is applied in various modules-
Standard -specific modules eg Pest Free Areas
Cross-cutting modules eg Inspection

10. Modules applied Background Inspection Exotic Pest Response
Pest Diagnostic capabilities
Surveillance

11. Modules applied Legislation Institutional Issues Pest Free Areas
Export Certification
Pest Risk Analysis

12. Module description References related to the specific module
Questionnaire
Questionnaire improvement
Identification and prioritisation of weaknesses and strengths
Activities required to address/improve the situation

13. Scope Targets analysis of the National Plant Protection Organization
Involves private and public sectors and relevant institutions
Phytosanitary capacity rationalized against trading requirements

14. Scope Provides a rational basis for national strategic plans
Formulation of projects that could be submitted for donor funding

16. Current actions Informal Working Group periodic meetings
Preparation and distribution of CD Roms
Introduction to Donors and Funding Agencies as the officially endorsed instrument for Phytosanitary Capacity Evaluation to pave the way for project funding on application by Governments

17. Current actions Maintenance and periodic update by IPPC
The structure of the PCE is being rearranged into a
stratified framework so that the user may follow
the tool on a modular basis.
The main thematic areas of national capacity will
be grouped into conceptual categories, avoiding the
need to create different modules for each ISPM
Addition of useful references, guidance documents
New thematic areas, for example, for capturing stakeholders’
concerns and agreeing on national priorities