NAPPO CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS

Article I: Name Article VIII: Appointment/Removal of Officials
Article II:Head Office  Article IX:  Decision-making
Article III: Objectives and Functions Article X: Frequency of Meetings
Article IV: Membership Article XI: Financial Statements
Article V:  Annual Dues Article XII: Publications
Article VI: Organizational Structure Article XIII: Amendment of Constitution and By-laws
Article VII: Responsibilities of Officials
  

 

CONSTITUTION
The North American Plant Protection Organization (NAPPO) is a Regional Plant Protection Organization created under the authority of Article VIII of the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations, which Convention came into force on April 3rd 1952, and as subsequently amended.  NAPPO operates according to a Cooperative Agreement supplementary to the Plant Protection Agreement signed by representatives of Canada, the United States of America and Mexico on October 13th, 1976, in order to encourage cooperation in the field of plant protection.  Accordingly, NAPPO is accountable to the Minister/Secretary of Agriculture in NAPPO member countries.
BY-LAWS
Article I:  Name
NAPPO is the acronym for the North American Plant Protection Organization
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Article II: Head Office
The Head Office of NAPPO shall be located in one of the NAPPO member countries.  At the time of signing of this Constitution and By-laws the address is:
1431 Merivale Road, 3rd Floor, Room 309   Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0Y9 Canada
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Article III: Objectives and Functions
The objectives of NAPPO are to encourage cooperative efforts among the member countries to prevent the entry, establishment and spread of quarantine pests and to limit the economic impact of regulated non-quarantine pests while facilitating international trade in plants, plant products and other regulated articles; and to encourage and participate in similar hemispheric and global cooperative efforts. NAPPO shall carry out the following functions on a regional, hemispheric and global basis:
1.  Regional
On a regional level, NAPPO will:
  • Develop and adopt standards to harmonize the phytosanitary measures of its members in order to facilitate the safe movement of plants, plant products  and other regulated articles into and within the NAPPO region;
  • Support the work of the North American Free Trade Agreement Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures Committee;
  • Provide a dispute settlement mechanism for its member countries;
  • Provide a forum for governments and industry groups to discuss phytosanitary issues;
  • Harmonize plant pest management programs in the NAPPO region through the coordination of pest survey activities and through the development and use of standardized pest management techniques;
  • Encourage training and development in support of NAPPO objectives; and
  • Encourage research towards common NAPPO pest concerns.
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2.   Hemispheric
On a hemispheric level NAPPO will:
  • Encourage coordinated approaches in the development of phytosanitary standards in the  hemisphere through participation in the Interamerican Coordinating Group in Plant Protection;
  • Collaborate with other Regional Plant Protection Organizations (RPPOs) and other international organizations in the hemisphere to implement the provisions of the International Plant Protection Convention and its International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures;
  • Encourage dialogue on phytosanitary issues to promote common interests;
  • Provide leadership and technical support to developing countries in order to strengthen their plant protection systems; and
  • Assist in the development and delivery of training and technical assistance programs in the hemisphere.
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3.   Global
  On a global level NAPPO will:
  • Support the IPPC Secretariat and the FAO Commission on Phytosanitary Measures by assisting in the development of International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures and promoting their application within the NAPPO region; and
  •  Exchange technical information with other Regional Plant Protection Organizations (RPPOs) and the IPPC Secretariat, concerning all aspects of plant protection; and
  •  Participate in the annual Technical Consultation of RPPOs and other appropriate fora.
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Article IV:  Membership
NAPPO consists of the National Plant Protection Organizations of Canada, the United States and Mexico. NAPPO also has a Sustaining Associate Member category (SAM), consisting mainly of individuals or companies which have an interest in phytosanitary matters.
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Article V:  Annual Dues
Each member country shall make an annual financial contribution at the level set out in the Cooperative Agreement, to support the functioning of the NAPPO Secretariat.  The annual contribution of Canada is due on September 1 of each year.  The annual contribution of the United States is due on November 1 of each year.  The annual contribution of Mexico is due on May 1 of each year. Penalties for late payment shall be assessed at a rate equal to the current bank loan rate in the country where the NAPPO office is located. Sustaining Associate Members shall also make an annual financial contribution at a level determined by the Executive Committee.
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Article VI:  Organizational Structure
1.   Secretariat

The NAPPO Secretariat will be composed of an Executive Director, an Executive Assistant, a Translator/Interpreter, a Technical Director and such other staff as may be approved by the Executive Committee.
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2.   Executive Committee
The Executive Committee will be composed of the Head of the National Plant Protection Organization of each member country.  In Canada, the representative is the Director of the Plant Health Division of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency. In the United States, it is the Deputy Administrator of the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Plant Protection and Quarantine of the United States Department of Agriculture. In Mexico it is the Director General of Plant Health of the The Secretary of Agriculture, Livestock, Rural Development, Fish and Food. One of the Executive Committee members will chair the Executive Committee. At the close of each annual meeting, the Executive Committee member of the country hosting the next annual meeting will assume the duties of Chairperson of the Executive Committee for the coming year.
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3.  Working Group
The Working Group will consist of representatives of the member countries and will be chaired by the Executive Director.
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4.   Panels
Technical Panels and their Chairpersons will consist of experts representing the member countries and other experts as approved by the Executive Committee. Industry representatives are encouraged to attend panel meetings and may participate in discussions. Closed meetings may be called at the discretion of the Panel Chairperson. Panel Chairpersons will report to the Executive Director.
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Article VII:  Responsibilities of Officials
1.  Executive Director
The main responsibilities of the Executive Director will be to:
  1. Direct the activities of Panels and the Working Group in their contributions to NAPPO goals and objectives;
  2. Provide advice and guidance to the Executive Committee regarding proposed standards and policies;
  3. Direct the financial and administrative operations of NAPPO; and
  4. Represent NAPPO at international meetings, conferences and seminars as well as with industry groups and private organizations as approved by the Executive Committee, in order to discuss and resolve issues of concern to NAPPO while fostering international cooperation and consensus
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2.  Executive Assistant
The main responsibilities of the Executive Assistant will be to:
  1. Provide financial administration support (preparing draft financial statements and budgets, day to day expenditure controls, salary administration, managing special projects funds);
  2. Provide administrative support to the Executive Director including the preparation of background material for Working Group and Executive Committee meetings, preparation of agenda and correspondence;
  3. Prepare the layout of the NAPPO Newsletter and other publications and maintain up- to-date mailing lists;
  4. Liaise with NAPPO officials to coordinate meeting schedules, transportation and accommodation, as required;
  5. Maintain an up-to-date reference library of NAPPO and FAO standards.
  6. Update the NAPPO website on the internet, and;
  7. Perform other related duties.
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3.  Translator/Interpreter
The main responsibilities of the Translator/Interpreter will be to:
  1. Translate NAPPO correspondence, agenda, panel assignments, reports, newsletters, and NAPPO regional standards (English to Spanish and Spanish to English);
  2. Provide interpretation services at meetings, as required;
  3. Develop a NAPPO lexicon of English/Spanish equivalent terms used in plant protection;
  4. Provide backup administrative and secretarial support, and
  5. Perform other related duties.
4.  Technical Director
  1. The main responsibilities of the Technical Director will be to:
  2. Provide scientific and technical support to the NAPPO Executive Director and NAPPO panels;
  3. Represent NAPPO at various international fora;
  4. Contribute to the NAPPO Newsletter;
  5. Manage the NAPPO Secretariat in the Executive Director?s absence;
  6. Translate regional and international phytosanitary standards, phytosanitary alert notices and other information, as required;
  7. Conduct consecutive interpretation in English and Spanish at meetings, as required; and
  8. Perform other related duties.
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5.   Executive Committee
The main responsibilities of the Executive Committee will be to:
  1. Provide leadership and strategic planning for the organization;
  2. Direct the activities of the Executive Director and the Working Group;
  3. Designate the annual assignments to the Technical Panels;
  4. Appoint appropriate personnel to participate in NAPPO activities, in particular, the Executive Director, the Working Group and Panels;
  5. Assess the performance of the Executive Director; Working Group and Panel members and initiate corrective action when necessary;
  6. Approve the annual budget and review the annual financial statements;
  7. Approve NAPPO Standards for Phytosanitary Measures, NAPPO guidelines and recommendations;
  8. Report the results of NAPPO activities to the appropriate authorities; and
  9. Represent NAPPO at international meetings, conferences and seminars as well as with industry groups and private organizations in order to discuss and resolve issues of concern to NAPPO while fostering international cooperation and consensus.
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6.   Working Group
The main responsibilities of the Working Group will be to:
  1. Provide technical and administrative support to the Executive Director and Executive Committee;
  2. Develop position papers on current phytosanitary issues facing NAPPO, other Regional Plant Protection Organizations and the IPPC;
  3. Monitor the implementation of NAPPO policies, procedures and standards by the member countries;
  4. Attend meetings of other RPPOs and the FAO, as appropriate;
  5. Review NAPPO Standards for Phytosanitary Measures, NAPPO guidelines and recommendations prior to presentation to the Executive Committee for approval; and
  6. Organize the annual meeting when hosted by their country.
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7.  Panels
The main responsibilities of the Panels will be to:
  1. Carry out the assignments designated by the Executive Committee;
  2. Provide written reports, normally prepared by the Panel Chairperson, describing panel progress. These reports are to be submitted to the Executive Director in the prescribed format, one month prior to the publication of each Newsletter and one month prior to the annual meeting; and
  3. Present panel accomplishments at the NAPPO Annual meeting using posters and/or oral presentations, as requested.
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Article VIII:  Appointment/Removal of Officials
The Executive Committee members will be composed of the Heads of Plant Protection for their respective countries. Members of the Working Group and Panel members will represent each of the member countries and will be appointed by the Executive Committee. Membership in the Working Group and Panels will be reviewed on a regular basis by the Executive Committee. Staffing of the Executive Director position will be conducted by the Executive Committee.  Appointment will normally be for a three year term and may be extended by Executive Committee approval, or terminated early based on unsatisfactory performance. Staffing of the Executive Assistant, Translator/Interpreter, Technical Director and any other Secretariat positions approved by the Executive Committee will be conducted by the Executive Director.
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Article IX:  Decision-making
Decisions will be made by consensus and will be adopted through the approval of minutes of meetings or other written documents which will be kept on file in the NAPPO Secretariat office. Decisions regarding the expenditure of funds will be made by the Executive Director within the limits of the approved annual budget
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Article X:  Frequency of Meetings
NAPPO will normally hold its annual meeting during the third full week of October. The annual meeting will be held in the country of the current Chairperson of the Executive Committee. The Executive Committee will meet in regular session, three times a year; normally in April, August and October, and on other occasions as necessary. The Working Group will meet four times each year; normally in January, April, July and October, and on other occasions as necessary. Panels which have been assigned a work plan will meet at least once annually.  Additional meetings may be called at the discretion of the Panel Chairperson.
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Article XI: Financial Statements
The Executive Director will present annual financial statements to the Executive Committee. An independent audit by a qualified accounting firm will be conducted on a regular basis as determined by the Executive Committee.
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Article XII:  Publications
NAPPO publications will be available in English and Spanish
1.   Annual Report
The NAPPO Executive Director will prepare an annual report normally in December, which will include:
  1. Reports of NAPPO Panel activities and accomplishments;
  2. Panel assignments for the coming year;
  3. a review of NAPPO?s participation in hemispheric and global plant protection activities;
2.  Newsletter
NAPPO will publish its Newsletter on a regular basis, normally in March, June and September. The Newsletter and Web site are intended to inform readers about regional, hemispheric and global phytosanitary activities
3.  Web site
NAPPO will maintain an up-to-date electronic site on the World Wide Web.
4.  Bulletins
NAPPO may publish periodic bulletins on technical and scientific subjects.
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Article XIII:  Amendment of Constitution and By-laws
Amendment of the Constitution and By-laws of NAPPO shall be decided by the consensus of the Executive Committee.
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ENDORSEMENT
This document was approved by the North American Plant Protection Organization (NAPPO) Executive Committee on May 25, 2005.

Original Signed by:

Greg Stubbings
Executive Committee Member
Canada		 Richard Dunkle
Executive Committee Member
United States		 Jorge Hernández Baeza
Executive Committee Member
Mexico