ISPP Extension Committee

Mission Statement

To monitor the state of extension plant pathology in the world by providing a forum for discussion and education and to make recommendations to ISPP on areas of concern to extension plant pathologists.

Aims and Objectives

1. To ensure that extension plant pathology is represented adequately at the 8th ICPP.

Topics forwarded to the Organising Programme Committee:

i. Diagnostic and decision support using immunoserological kits, aids and tools.

ii. Information technology.

iii. Extension plant pathology under privatisation.

iv. New extension methodologies and the support of allied sciences: business management, communications, sophisticated technologies.

v. The role of extension plant pathology in the framework of integrated pest management (IPM).

2. In view of the loss of expertise and training in traditional methods of plant pathology there is concern that skills in the diagnosis of crop problems are being lost. It is proposed that the EC establish the level of this loss and the problems that may accrue, and a report be prepared on the state of extension plant pathology in the countries of member societies.

3. To identify international correspondents who will comprise the Committee.

4. To produce a bibliography appropriate to extension plant pathology.

5. To produce a catalogue of computer software appropriate to extension plant pathology. To identify means of transposing software from one language to another and from one country to another.

6. To produce guidelines/conceptual designs/framework for expert systems.

7. To catalogue and monitor the implementation of disease forecasting systems.

8. Recognising that the internet provides an ideal means of communication for extension plant pathologists it is also necessary to provide a vehicle for colleagues without such access.

Extension plant pathologists who are willing to assist in any the item listed from 2-8 should get in touch with the Chairman, Eric Boa, CABI Bioscience, Bakeham Lane, Egham, Surrey TW20 9TY, UK. E-mail: e.boa@cabi.org