The International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) is an international treaty organization that 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.
While the IPPC’s primary focus is on plants and plant products moving in international trade, the convention also covers research materials, biological control organisms, germplasm banks, containment facilities and anything else that can act as a vector for the spread of plant pests — for example, containers, packaging materials, soil, vehicles, vessels and machinery.
The IPPC places emphasis in three main areas of work: international standard setting, information exchange and capacity development for the implementation of the IPPC and associated international phytosanitary standards.
The IPPC was created in 1952 by member countries of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. As of June 2010[update], 177 governments have become contracting parties to the IPPC.