The World Trade Organization (WTO) formally recognizes the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) and the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) as the definitive international bodies responsible for setting animal health and plant health standards to guide agricultural trade. Science based standards set by the OIE and IPPC provide an important foundation for making global agricultural trade safe, predictable, and fair.

APHIS has and will continue to play a leadership role in OIE and IPPC activities, especially the development of OIE and IPPC standards.  This is a priority international activity for the Agency.  APHIS’ goals at the OIE and IPPC are to: 1) actively influence and contribute to the development of global animal and plant health standards; 2) promote the development of practical, risk based approaches for managing pests and disease risk in trade; and 3) promote global adherence to established standards.

APHIS publishes an annual Federal Register notice of OIE and IPPC activities and standards under development. APHIS also maintains the following websites of draft standards that are being considered for adoption and uses these websites to take comments and input on draft

Standards. To learn more about the organizations mentioned above, view the links below.

WTO

The World Trade Organization (WTO) is the only global international organization dealing with the rules of trade between nations. At its heart are the WTO agreements, negotiated and signed by the bulk of the world’s trading nations and ratified in their parliaments. The goal is to help producers of goods and services, exporters, and importers conduct their business.

IPPC

The International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) is an international treaty to secure action to prevent the spread and introduction of pests of plants and plant products, and to promote appropriate measures for their control.

OIE

The Office International des Epizooties (OIE) is an intergovernmental organization created by the International Agreement of 1924. It decides on international trade standards that will be set.

NAPPO

The North American Plant Protection Organization's (NAPPO) Phytosanitary Alert System provides pest alerts and news of emerging plant pests of significance to North America.  It’s intended to facilitate awareness, detection, prevention and management of exotic species in North America.