| Article I: Objective and Functions | Article VII: Decision Making |
| Article II: Official Languages | Article VIII: Work Plans |
| Article III: Composition | Article IX: Rules and Procedures |
| Article IV: Organizational Structure | Article X: Financial Responsibility |
| Article V: Functions | Article XI: Amendment of Constitution and By-Laws |
| Article VI: Meetings | Article XII: Withdrawal from the Group |
| CONSTITUTION | |
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The Inter-American Coordinating Group in Plant Protection (hereinafter referred to as "the Group") is a group for coordination and cooperation in the field of plant protection, formalized in a Memorandum of Understanding signed by representatives of the Regional Plant Protection Organizations of the Americas on March 23, 1998. |
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| BY-LAWS | |
| Article I: Objective and Functions | |
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The objective of the Group is to secure common and effective action to prevent the spread and introduction of pest of plants and plant products, and to promote appropriate measures for their control.
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| Article II: Official Languages |
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The official languages of the Group shall be Spanish and English. |
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| Article III: Composition | |
| The Group shall be composed of the Regional Plant Protection Organizations (RPPOs) of the Americas. | |
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| Article IV: Organizational Structure | |
Steering Committee |
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| The Steering Committee will be composed of one representative from each member RPPO. It will be coordinated by one of its members for two-year terms, on a rotational basis. | |
Working Group |
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| Working Groups will be created as necessary, by the Steering Committee, and its members will be designated by the RPPO's | |
Technical Secretariat |
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| The Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) will serve as a Secretariat for the Group. | |
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| Article V: Functions | |
The main functions of the Steering Committee will be to: |
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Propose strategies and work plans for the Group and encourage their RPPOs
to participate in achieving the objectives of the Group Æ Facilitate the harmonization of continental phytosanitary standards and guidelines Æ Determine the need for special meetings. Æ Establish a revise rules and procedures for the Group Æ Assure that a records management system is established Æ Oversee the implementation of recommendations of the Group |
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The main functions of the Coordinator of the Steering Committee will be to: |
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Chair
meetings of the Group Æ Serve as a contact point for other international organizations Æ Expedite and channel all correspondence resulting from meetings and ensure follow-up of agree actions Æ Maintain contact with the Technical Secretariat on all matters concerning the support which it can provide the Group |
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The main function of Working Groups will be to: |
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| Examine important scientific and technical issues and develop proposals to strengthen plant protection in the Americas, including the drafting of standards | |
| The main functions of the Technical Secretariat will be to: | |
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Æ
Assist
in keeping a record of the papers, debates and discussions and recommendations
of the Meetings and general activities of the Group Æ Assist the Coordinator and the Steering Committee to define, develop and discuss technical issues Æ Organize meetings, in consultation with the Steering Committee and confirm the location, dates and logistical arrangements for meetings, with members of the Group and invited observers Æ Assist in the drafting, editing, publication and distribution of the reports of meetings |
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| Article VI: Meetings | |
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The Steering Committee will meet at least once a year; however, it may also meet on other occasions, as circumstances require. Æ
The NPPOs of the continent
are permitted to attend meetings of the Steering Committee and participate
in discussions.
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| Article VII: Decision Making | |
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Æ
Decisions will be made by
consensus of the Steering Committee members,
ad referendum of their
RPPOs/NPPOs, according to their internal procedures. Æ Decisions will be communicated in writing, by the Technical Secretariat to the RPPO members, within two weeks of the decision being taken. Æ The RPPO members will be afforded ninety days to ratify such decisions. If no response is received by the Technical Secretariat within this time frame, the decisions will be considered to be ratified. |
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| Article VIII: Work Plans | |
| The Steering Committee will develop a two-year work plan with provision for mid term review. | |
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| Article IX: Rules and Procedures | |
| The Group may adopt and amend by consensus, its own Rules and Procedures, according to the provisions of Art. VII. | |
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| Article X: Financial Responsibility | |
| Each member will be responsible to cover the expenses of their representative(s) attending meetings or performing the activities required to carry out the work plan. | |
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| Article XI: Amendment of Constitution and By-Laws | |
| Each member will be responsible to cover the expenses of their representative(s) attending meetings or performing the activities required to carry out the work plan. | |
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| Article XII: Withdrawal from the Group | |
| An RPPO member may withdraw from the Group by means of a written notice to the Steering Committee providing six months notice. | |
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| ENDORSEMENT | |
| Original Signed by: | Date: June 24, 1999 |
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Jorge Vega C. Comunidad Andina |
Jorge I. Rosas COSAVE |
Ralph Farnum CPPC |
Ian McDonell NAPPO |
Juan José
May OIRSA |
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Comments by e-mail to Ian McDonell, Executive
Director, NAPPO |
Last Updated: 5 June 2006
