International workshop on reducing the introduction of pests through the sea container pathway
Background
National economies depend on the efficient and uninterrupted movement of trade, which is facilitated by the efficient movement of sea containers through a complex and time-sensitive logistical system. With over 240 million containers shipped each year, the scale of sea container operations is monumental. As a consequence, any regulatory requirements or changes to the system could have substantive negative knock-on effects that may far outweigh any benefits arising from the regulations.
Over the last several years, the IPPC Community and partners worked together to identify various challenges and opportunities and explore considerations to reduce the movement of pests in the sea container pathway.
The Commission on Phytosanitary Measures (CPM), its committees and subgroups have actively considered the subject of pest movement via contamination of sea containers since 2008. The huge complexity of sea container logistics operations posed a significant challenge to efforts to move forward with the work. In 2016, work on a draft International Standard for Phytosanitary Measures (ISPM) was paused, and the Sea Container Task Force (SCTF) was established to collect existing data from countries, and consider the issue.
Throughout these years it became obvious that the type of commodity and the handling and storage of commodities prior to and during the packing of the container constitute the most important stage of potential pest contamination of containers; that there was no way to track all stakeholders involved and therefore full accountability or custodianship was missing; that contracting parties may lack the capacity and legal basis to carry out inspections, given the large volume of container movements involved; and that the costs associated with container inspections would be very high, would result in significant delays, and present considerable challenges (e.g. resources, availability of inspection locations).
Objectives of the Workshop
- To present and discuss the conclusions and recommendations of the SCTF report
- To achieve better understanding of potential ways to address the issue of pest contamination of sea containers and their cargoes and the advantages and disadvantages of each.
- To enhance knowledge of the factors limiting the development of new measures and implementation of a CPM Recommendation and/or an ISPM.
- To analyze how potential targeted measures could address the issue of pest contamination of sea containers and their cargoes, and the advantages and disadvantages of each while achieving a reasonable level of risk reduction with minimal impact on container logistics.
- To raise awareness among the IPPC community on any guideline, recommendation or specific solution to reduce phytosanitary risk in the sea container pathway.
- To demonstrate importance of cross-regional and global cooperation to increase understanding of the information and prerequisites for developing successful measures.
Expected outcomes of the Workshop
- Awareness on the risks and impacts of moving, via sea containers and their cargoes, pests that are harmful to plants is raised and the importance of avoiding contamination of containers and their cargoes by all parties in the global supply chains is promoted.
- Questions on issues that remain unanswered and require further clarification are identified and discussed;
- Practical and cost-effective solutions to reducing risks of transfer of pests and contaminants by the sea container pathway are explored and discussed.
- Recommendations on the path forward to globally address the pest risks associated with the movement of sea containers and their cargoes in a practical and sustainable way are collected for further consideration by CPM Focus Group in close collaboration with the Industry Advisory Group.
Steering committee
Teppei Shigemi: Deputy director for international affairs, Plant Protection Division, MAFF, who is working for, as a representative of Japanese NPPO, development and consultation of ISPMs and other international guidelines as well as participation of CPM, SPG and APPPC meetings. He was a member of the small working group on CPM recommendation on contaminating pests in 2020, and is currently a member of several CPM focus groups such as IPPC Strategic Framework 2020-2030 Development Agenda items and ePhyto sustainable funding. Variety of experiences on phytosanitary matters in the Plant Protection Station and headquarters of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) in Japan.
Wendy Asbil: National Manager of the Invasive Alien Species and Domestic Programs team in the Plant Protection Division at the Canadian Food Inspection Agency. Responsible for challenging and exciting work designing, developing and implementing programs to minimize the introduction and spread of invasive alien plant pests in Canada. Pathways of pest introduction such as sea containers, marine vessels, and shipments that are not plants or plant products are areas of focus as are biological control, intentionally imported injurious organisms, in transit shipments, e-commerce, and specific pests like AGM, spotted lanternfly and invasive plants. This work includes engagement with national and international collaborators and stakeholders on diverse issues and initiatives.
Lars Kjaer: Has been with the World Shipping Council since its inception in 2000. Lars is involved in a multitude of safety-related and other regulatory matters and also deals with OECD digital tax issues insofar as shipping is concerned. Lars participates on behalf of WSC in meetings at the IMO regarding safety, transport of containers, dangerous goods and the Facilitation Convention. He is also chairman of ISO Technical Committee (TC 104) that is responsible for all container-related standards. He participated in the work of the Sea Container Task Force. Prior to joining the World Shipping Council, Lars served as the Washington Representative for the Council of European and Japanese Shipowners’ Associations (CENSA), following a career with the Danish Foreign Service, including postings at the Royal Danish Embassy in Washington, DC, and the Danish Delegation to NATO, Brussels.
Lise Kjærgaard Steffensen: Danish National IPPC Contact Point, working with International subjects, e.g, support for export/import, national implementation of ePhyto and the case on sea containers and plant health, as well as smaller policy areas.
Frederik Koome Makathima: A principle plant health inspector working at KEPHIS. Expert on crop pest risk analysis, pest diagnosis and management, and pest surveillance. Has been awarded by Kenya innovation agency (KENIA) and the royal academy of engineering, UK for excellent work in development and implementation of agricultural based innovations.
James Hookham: Secretary General and a Director of the Global Shippers Forum, the voice of cargo owners in international supply chains. He is a graduate in Environmental Science from the University of Bradford and completed a Masters degree in the safe transport of dangerous goods at the University of Manchester. Until 2020 James was Deputy Chief Executive of the Freight Transport Association (now Logistics UK) and has held numerous positions on UK, EU and global transport and logistics advisory bodies.
Speakers and presenters
All presentations will be available below after the workshop. Below is the list of speakers and presenters in alphabetical order:
Annaliese Blecha, USA CBP: Agriculture Operations Manager for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), United States Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Office of Field Operations (OFO), within the office of Agriculture Programs and Trade Liaiso (APTL). Some of the programs with the National Cut Flower Release Program, Carrier Container Contamination, liaison to the North American Plant Protection Organization, Wood Packaging Materials, and Customs Trade Partnership Against Terrorism.
Boris Populoh, Association of International Movers: Member of the board of International Association of Movers (IAM).
Chonticha Rakkrai, NPPO of Thailand: Director of Plant Quarantine Research Group, Department of Agriculture in Bangkok, Thailand. Responsible for diagnostic pest of plant and plant product for import and export and she is a standard committee membership.
Claudio Bozzo, MSC: Chairman of the safety and security Council of the World Shipping Council. Since 2014 serves as Global COO of Mediterranean Shipping Company S.A. . He now supervises the WW operations including more than 400 offices in 150 countries and 30000 people. He works and resides in Geneva Switzerland where the WW Head Quarters are located.
Cleiton Papke, British Coffee Association: Head of Traffic at Riccoffee (UK) Limited and member of the British Coffee Association Trade & Logistic Committee. Well-versed professional with over 15 years of experience in international logistics and supply chain management.
Dominique Pelletier, NPPO of Canada: National Manager of the Forestry Section at the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), Canada’s NPPO. The Chair of the Implementation and Capacity Development Committee, or IC, as well as the IC regional representative for North America.
Enrico Lupi, Confindustria Ceramica: Confindustria Ceramica, the Italian Association of ceramics, dealing with numerous topics: currently he is responsible of Research, Standardization and Trade, also providing member companies with information, assistance and services.
Frederik Koome Makathima, NPPO of Kenya: A principle plant health inspector working at KEPHIS. Expert on crop pest risk analysis, pest diagnosis and management, and pest surveillance. Has been awarded by Kenya innovation agency (KENIA) and the royal academy of engineering, UK for excellent work in development and implementation of agricultural based innovations.
George Rudy, USA CBP: Supervisory Supply Chain Security Specialist (SSCSS) of CBP’s CTPAT program in Washington, D.C. where he manages various cargo facilitation aspects of the program. He began employment with the Federal Government with the U.S. Department of Justice’s Immigration and Naturalization Service as a District Adjudications Officer.
Greg Wolff, CPM FG Chair, NPPO of Canada: Senior Director of the Plant Export Division in the CFIA’s International Affairs Branch, which includes responsibility for leading the CFIA’s work with the North American Plant Protection Organization and the International Plant Protection Convention.
Guanghao Gu, NPPO of China: Consultant of Animal and Plant Quarantine Division in Shenzhen Customs District, Master of Pubic Administration, Tsinghua University (Conferred 2005), Bachelor of Agriculture, Nanjing Agricultural University (Conferred 1992). Involved in the Sea Containers activities of IPPC from 2011. In March 2012, was selected as EWG member on Sea container; In Sep. 2017, was selected as member of SCTF. Currently member of CPM Focus Group on Sea Containers.
James Hookham, Global Shippers Forum: Secretary General and a Director of the Global Shippers Forum, the voice of cargo owners in international supply chains. He is a graduate in Environmental Science from the University of Bradford and completed a Masters degree in the safe transport of dangerous goods at the University of Manchester. Until 2020 James was Deputy Chief Executive of the Freight Transport Association (now Logistics UK) and has held numerous positions on UK, EU and global transport and logistics advisory bodies.
Konan Lucien Kouame, CPM Chair: Senior Inspector and Technical Advisor for the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development of the Ivory Coast, and Lecturer for national and international phytosanitary norms and regulations in the Department of Biological Sciences, Université NANGUI ABROGOUA (Abidjan).
Lars Kjaer, WSC: Has been with the World Shipping Council since its inception in 2000. Lars is involved in a multitude of safety-related and other regulatory matters and also deals with OECD digital tax issues insofar as shipping is concerned. Lars participates on behalf of WSC in meetings at the IMO regarding safety, transport of containers, dangerous goods and the Facilitation Convention. He is also chairman of ISO Technical Committee (TC 104) that is responsible for all container-related standards. He participated in the work of the Sea Container Task Force. Prior to joining the World Shipping Council, Lars served as the Washington Representative for the Council of European and Japanese Shipowners’ Associations (CENSA), following a career with the Danish Foreign Service, including postings at the Royal Danish Embassy in Washington, DC, and the Danish Delegation to NATO, Brussels.
Lise Kjærgaard Steffensen: Danish National IPPC Contact Point, working with international subjects, e.g., support for export/import, national implementation of ePhyto and the case on sea containers and plant health, as well as smaller policy areas.
Matías González Buttera, COSAVE, NPPO of Argentina: Plant Protection Analyst at National Service for Agri-Food Health and Quality (Senasa), Argentina’s NPPO. The Plant Protection Division is responsible for providing an effective national phytosanitary system to prevent the introduction and spread of pests. Currently a member of the Standards Committee (SC) of the Commission on Phytosanitary Measures (CPM), representing the Latin American and Caribean Region. Also. At the Regional Plant Protection Organization (COSAVE) is involved in two technical groups where issues from the CPM and topics such as inspection, sampling, and phytosanitary certification, are discussed.
Mike Downes, BIC: Extensive experience of the container industry having worked in it for nearly 28 years before retiring from Maersk Line in late 2017. Previously held several senior Management positions in technical roles related to containers in various shipping companies and has served on and chaired container related ISO workgroups. Currently regional National Registration Officer for the Bureau International des Containers et du Intermodal (BIC) in New Zealand the international container registration organisation. Technical Adviser to the same organisation.
Patrick Hicks, Container Owners Association:
Paul Zalai, Freight and Trade Alliance: Co-founded Freight & Trade Alliance (FTA), an Australian member-based organisation bringing together industry associations and more than 500 leading businesses involved in international trade.
Philip Eastell, Chugoku Marine Paints: Worked in the Container Shipping industry since 1979 and in that time has been responsible for the technical management of the container fleets for 2 major shipping lines. For the last 10 years Philip has managed the container division for Chugoku Marine Paints, a global supplier of marine coatings with a focus on container coatings for new containers.
Rama Karri, NPPO of Australia: Director in the Australian Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry with over 10 years of experience in establishing regulatory settings for managing contaminants and contaminant pests. Significant experience in establishing quality systems in overseas ports to manage pest risks associated with inanimate pathways. He is also a member of the Commission on Phytosanitary Measures (CPM) Focus Group (FG) on Sea Containers, representing Pacific Plant Protection Organisation members.
Roland Karnbach, German association of container service companies: Chairman of the Board of the B.C.S.B. Bundesverband der Container-Servicebetriebe e.V. (German association of container service companies).
Shane Sela, WBG: Senior Trade Facilitation Specialist in the World Bank’s Global Trade and Regional Integration Unit. Supports countries in the implementation of the World Trade Organization’s Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA).
Simon McKirdy, Murdoch University: Pro Vice Chancellor Harry Butler Institute and Professor in Biosecurity at Murdoch University. Chairperson of the Western Australian Biosecurity Council that provides advice to the Western Australian government through the Minister for Agriculture. Director for Plant Health Australia.
Sina Waghorn, NPPO of New Zealand: Manager of the Invasive Species Team within the Animal and Plant Health Directorate of Biosecurity New Zealand, MPI. Responsible for the import standards for inanimate pathways such as vessels, aircraft, sea containers, air containers, vehicles, machinery and their parts, as well as the sea and air ports that are approved to receive international vessels, aircraft, commodities, and passengers. These standards reduce of risk of introduction and spread of invasive plant and marine pests. She is also a member of the Commission on Phytosanitary Measures (CPM) Focus Group (FG) on Sea Containers, representing New Zealand.
Stephane Graber, Director General, FIATA: Director General at FIATA International Federation of Freight Forwarders Associations since 2020. FIATA is the largest non-governmental organisation in the field of logistics, which represents 40,000 freight forwarding and logistics firms and employs around 10 million people around the globe. Prior to joining FIATA, Dr Graber was Secretary General at STSA (Swiss Commodity Trading and Shipping Association) and Chaired the eGTSA, a company that successfully developed a digital platform used by commodity trading companies and commodity trade-financing banks. Dr Graber has previously worked at the Economic Department of the Republic and Canton of Geneva, and was President of the Geneva Chapter of the Swiss-Chinese Chamber of Commerce.
Stephen Brady, USA CBP: Agriculture Operations Manager in Agriculture Programs and Trade Liaison, Office of Field Operations (OFO), U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) in Washington, D.C. Collaborating with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), other federal and state agencies, and industry travel and trade stakeholders regarding CBP’s agriculture programs.
Tim Morris, UK Major Ports Group: Joined the UK Major Ports Group from the communications consultancy Hanover, where he was the Director responsible for the energy and infrastructure practice. Prior to Hanover, spent eleven years in the steel industry with Tata Steel Europe and its successor companies, latterly as the Head of Public Affairs and interim Director of Corporate Communications.
Uffe Ernst-Frederiksen, Maersk: Master Mariner, 30+ years’ experience at sea and shore, 20 years in Container Business. Head of Cargo Standards at Maersk and Chairman of Container Owners Association. Executive MBA in Shipping and Logistics.
Wendy Asbil, NPPO of Canada: National Manager of the Invasive Alien Species and Domestic Programs team in the Plant Protection Division at the Canadian Food Inspection Agency. Responsible for challenging and exciting work designing, developing and implementing programs to minimize the introduction and spread of invasive alien plant pests in Canada. Pathways of pest introduction such as sea containers, marine vessels, and shipments that are not plants or plant products are areas of focus as are biological control, intentionally imported injurious organisms, in transit shipments, e-commerce, and specific pests like AGM, spotted lanternfly and invasive plants. This work includes engagement with national and international collaborators and stakeholders on diverse issues and initiatives.
Wendy Beltz, NPPO of USA:
USDA’s Plant Protection & Quarantine as a Director within Field Operations. Oversees several domestic programs like Fruit Flies, Citrus Health Response, and Pale Cyst Nematode, as well as Export & Trade. She is the co-chair of the North American Sea Container Initiative and represents the North American Plant Protection Organization on the CPM Focus Group on Sea Containers.
Participants
Representatives of NPPOs, RPPOs international organizations such as IMO, CBD, WCO and WBG and industry stakeholders such as container owners, shipping lines, container manufacturers, freight forwarders, packers, port authorities, marine terminal operators, shippers, importers, exporters.
Language
The workshop will be held in English.
Location and dates
The workshop will take place from 19 to 20 September 2022, ExCeL Exhibition Centre, London, United Kingdom. Participation is free of charge.