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Abstract:
The Code of Conduct for the Import and Release
of Exotic Biological Control Agents was endorsed
by FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations)
members in 1995 and became the
International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures (ISPM) No. 3
under the International Plant Protection
Convention in 1996. ISPM No. 3 seeks to provide procedures
for the safe import and release of biological control agents,
including biopesticides, although it
focused heavily on classical biological control programmes. This
review critically assesses the use of ISPM No. 3
since it became an international standard for making
decisions about biological control agents. Development of ISPMNo.
3 was timely and appropriate. Either ISPM
No. 3 or similar national procedures were applied in most cases
to support decisions regarding import and
release of exotic biological control agents since 1996. It
has provided a mechanism for formalizing current good practice
and provided internationally accepted
standards to countries with little experience in implementing
biological control. It provides a good basis for
facilitation of regional projects. Countries noted
some limitations in implementation of ISPM No. 3, however,
including lack of technical capacity and,
in some cases, appropriate quarantine facilities. Provision of
technical guidelines and support with
training to countries would be desirable. Case studies for
decisions by Kenya, Colombia, the Caribbean,
Yemen, Samoa and Brazil give further insights into
the use of ISPM No. 3 over its first seven years.
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