What is pest risk?
According to the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC), pest risk means how likely it is for a pest, such as potato wart, to be introduced and spread, and how much it could cost our economy/how bad it could be for the economy.
How is the risk assessed?
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is responsible for the management of quarantine plant pests, such as potato wart. The Agency evaluates these pests using guidelines, such as pest risk analysis, created by the IPPC to determine if they could cause harm. This analysis, based on scientific and economic information, helps the Agency decide if the organism is a pest and if it should be regulated.
What is pest risk management?
Pest risk management is a science-based process of identifying and evaluating measures that could help lower the risk of a particular pest, such as potato wart, to an acceptable level. In the case of potato wart, it is already regulated as a quarantine pest in Canada and many other countries. After the pest risk analysis process, the CFIA evaluates tools and options for managing pests.
What is a pest risk management document?
A pest risk management document outlines the different pest risk management options, including their advantages and disadvantages. It gives an overview of the results of a pest risk assessment and documents how the pest risk can be managed for the specific problem. The CFIA provides recommendations, which serves as a place for feedback which are considered when the document is finalized.
When creating a pest risk management document, what factors are taken into consideration?
Several factors are taken into consideration in developing a pest risk management document (RMD). The pest risk analysis helps figure out the total risk and how it affects the economy. If the risk is too high, the first step in risk management is to find possible actions to lower the risk to an acceptable level.
The following are considered when creating an RMD:
- How well the proposed measures can reduce the pest risk
- The characteristics of the pest and the risk it brings
- The economic consequences of the measures
- Whether the measures are cost-effective and feasible to put in place
- The impact on trade
- Whether other measures are already in place
Why are the pest risk management documents being shared for public feedback?
An important part of creating and completing a pest risk management document is talking with the people involved/who have a stake in it. This consultation lets the CFIA share information with stakeholders and vice versa. The CFIA outlines the risks and potential measures to help contain and control a pest, while providing the public with an opportunity to give their input.
The thoughts and concerns from stakeholders gathered during this process are carefully looked at when deciding how to manage the risk and finalizing the plan for dealing with pest risks.
How are risk management options selected and how does the CFIA decide the final approach?
When developing a pest risk management document, various ways to manage the risk are identified and evaluated to see if they can help reduce the risk to an acceptable level and if they are practical and affordable. The RMD looks at all of the pros and cons of each potential measure. The CFIA chooses the phytosanitary measure that not only lowers the pest risk to an acceptable level but is also practical, cost-effective, and causes the least harm to trade and the industry.
How is a pest risk management document implemented? What does it lead to?
For the case of potato wart, there are 3 RMDs related to potato wart that are open for public comments for 60 days. The CFIA will review all the comments received and then complete and publish the pest risk management documents. The final RMD will be used to help finalize a new national potato wart response plan, which will replace the 2009 Potato Wart Domestic Long-term Management Plan.