Pest Risk Analysis International Plant Protection Convention IPPC

Pest Risk Analysis International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC)

SPS Definition • Risk assessment -- the evaluation of the likelihood of the entry, establishment, or spread of a pest or disease … and the associated potential biological and economic consequences. . . (SPS Annex A)

IPPC Definition • The process of evaluating biological or other scientific and economic evidence to determine whether a pest should be regulated and the strength of any phytosanitary measures to be taken against it -- (1997 IPPC)

PRA Obligations • SPS Article 5. 1 -- Members shall ensure that … phytosanitary measures are based on an assessment … of the risks … • IPPC Article II -- technically justified (phytosanitary measures) justified on the basis of conclusions reached by using an appropriate pest risk analysis. . .

Standards and PRA • Phytosanitary measures must be based on international standards or justified on the basis of PRA (SPS Articles 3 & 5) • Deviations from standards must be justified by PRA (SPS Article 5) • Provisional (emergency) measures must be reviewed using PRA (SPS Article 5)

PRA and Trade • Few specific phytosanitary standards have been done, therefore most phytosanitary measures must be justified by PRA • PRA is used to: – justify protection measures affecting trade – evaluate or challenge other’s measures – encourage technical dialogue/info sharing – prioritize risk management and research

The Role of Scientists • Recognize that regulatory policy is dependent on scientific inputs • Actively participate, support, and influence regulatory decision-making with tradesensitive scientific inputs • Ensure that plant pests are only a barrier to trade when and where appropriate

Evolution of PRA in the IPPC • ISPM 2: Guidelines for PRA • Supplementary standards – Pest categorization – Probability of introduction – Economic impact – Risk management

… And More Evolution Concept standard: Guidelines for PRA (to be revised) Supplementary Standards Pest Risk Analysis for Quarantine Pests Pest Risk Analysis for Regulated Non-Quarantine Pests

Stages of PRA • Initiation • Risk Assessment – probability – consequences • Risk Management • Transparency – uncertainty

Initiation Stage • Pest-initiated – detection (interception or incursion) – research or biological control • Pathway – commodity evaluation – other regulated article – policy review or change

Risk Assessment Stage • • • Presence/absence/distribution Official control Introduction potential Establishment potential Spread potential

Elements of Risk Assessment Consequences Probability • • • With pathway Escapes detection Survives transit Favorable location Overcomes resistance Able to reproduce and spread • • Direct economic Indirect economic Environmental Other: – Political – Social – aesthetic

Risk Management Stage • Identify options • Evaluate options for: – efficacy – feasibility – impacts

Transparency • • Document information sources Identify processes/methods Provide rationale for conclusions/decisions Describe uncertainty and identify data gaps or areas for additional research