Implementation of science-based

risk analysis for

application of SPS measures

in Australia

The Risk Analysis Process

Transparency and consultation

• The AQIS Import Risk Analysis Process Handbook

available on-line at www.aqis.gov.au

Technical analysis

• International Standard for Phytosanitary

Measures No. 2

Initiation - Import proposal lodged - Proposal acknowledged Priority considered

Risk analysis pathway determined

Routine Non Routine

Draft IRA Issues Paper

Draft IRA

Final IRA

Appeal and Determination

The AQIS

Import Risk

Analysis (IRA)

Process

Technical analysis (ISPM No. 2)

Initiating the risk analysis

Pest risk management

Documentation

Pest risk assessment

A Case Study - Importation of Ya Pear from Hebei Province,

People’s Republic of China

… In 1991 China requested access to Australia for Ya pear…

• Risk assessment

- 120 pests were found to be associated with fruit in

proposed export areas

- Quarantine status of these pests was determined

from

information provided by China, supplemented by

Australian literature investigation and field visits

- Introduction potential, economic impact was

assessed

- 18 pests determined to be of quarantine concern

to Australia

• Risk management

Oriental fruit fly (Bactrocera spp.) - Trapping program to detect

seasonal incursions

Brown rot (Monilinia fructigena) - Orchard freedom by survey plus

petal testing

Japanese pear rust (Gymnosporangium asiaticum ) - Host

removal to 2 km radius or chemical control and bagging of fruit

Pear scab (Venturia nashicola) - Early season petal test, orchard

survey fruit bagging, orchard hygiene and inspection and

certification

Final importation conditions

• Orchards and packing facilities registered by

Chinese quarantine authorities

• Pest management measures applied

• Measures to verify status of quarantine pests in

place

• Joint inspection and phytosanitary certification

• Review of conditions after the first season of export

Issues raised in response to the Draft IRA

• Status of fire blight in China

• Orchard monitoring for fruit diseases

• Latent fruit diseases

• Pest occurrence/status

• Fruit fly area freedom

• Post harvest treatments

Trade outcome

• 78 containers of fruit (approximately 1700 tonne)

imported from late 1999 to early 2000

• No consignments rejected as a result of pests

associated with the imported fruit

Science in support of Australian exports

• ISPM No: 4 - Pest Free Areas

Similar to the OIE concept of regionalisation

• Technical submission to support fruit fly free

status of south eastern Australia

• Major trading partners accept produce from

fruit fly free area without treatment

• Area freedom worth more than $70 million to

Australia p.a

Technical data provided to verify:

• The nature and status of the PFA

• The systems that establish freedom

• Phytosanitary measures that maintain freedom

• Ongoing checks to verify freedom is

maintained

• Ongoing documentation, audit and review of

the area

Differences between terrestrial animal and plant risk analysis:

• There are more plant species in commercial

production world wide

• Plants have more damaging pests

• There is less quantitative data available for

scientific risk analysis

• Pests have broader host ranges

• The consequences of incursion are insidious

(rarely cause widespread mortality)

• Fewer international standards

• Less experience in application of standards

• Fewer plant health experts

• Significant ongoing challenges