Pest Risk Analysis as Applied to Plant Pathogens

Abstract

The European and Mediterranean Plant Protection Organization (EPPO) is a regional standard-setting organization created in 1951. One of EPPO’s main priorities is to prevent the introduction of dangerous pests from other parts of the world, and to limit their spread within the region should they be introduced. In recent years, trade networks have expanded and diversified, increasing the risks of introducing pests to new geographical areas. Measures adopted by countries to protect their territories from these introductions should be technically justified and an International Standard for Phytosanitary Measures (ISPM) on Pest Risk Analysis (PRA) has been developed in the International Plant Protection Convention framework (ISPM no. 11). Since the 1990s, EPPO has also been involved in developing schemes for PRA. EPPO member countries favoured maintaining an EPPO scheme as it presents logical sequences of questions which address all the elements mentioned in ISPM no. 11. The scheme provides detailed instructions for the different stages of PRA for quarantine pests: initiation, pest categorization, probability of introduction, assessment of potential economic consequences and pest risk management. Guidance for the use of additional tools, for example climatic predictions and impact assessment tools are also being developed to assist pest risk analysts in mapping endangered areas for establishment and impact. Since 2006, a system has also been established to perform PRA at the EPPO level; this involves Expert Working Groups (EWGs) convened to conduct PRAs on specific pests. This article presents the approach developed by EPPO for the evaluation and management of risks posed by pathogens. The PRA scheme and PRAs prepared within the EPPO framework are available on the EPPO website (www.eppo.org).