An international agreement on plant health with 178 current signatories. It aims to secure coordinated, effective action to prevent and to control the introduction and spread of pests of plants and plant products.
The Convention extends beyond the protection of cultivated plants to the protection of natural flora and plant products. It takes into consideration both direct and indirect damage by pests, so it includes weeds. It also covers vehicles, aircraft and vessels, containers, storage places, soil and other objects or material that can harbour or spread pests.
The Convention provides a framework and a forum for international cooperation, harmonization and technical exchange between contracting parties.
Its implementation involves collaboration by National Plant Protection Organisations (NPPOs) — the official services established by governments to discharge the functions specified by the IPPC — and Regional Plant Protection Organisations (RPPOs), which can act as coordinating bodies at a regional level to achieve the objectives of the IPPC. The Secretariat of the IPPC is provided by the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations.