Start Date
01/10/2005
End Date
01/05/2007
Building knowledge on plant health risk analysis
The project aimed to hold an international workshop and training on plant health risk analysis to build developing countries’ expertise and capacity to carry out the analysis and meet international standards.
Background
Pest risk analysis (PRA) identifies and evaluates risks posed by plant and plant product pests and identifies measures to tackle them. IPPC international standards on PRA are technically demanding and complex.
Globally, there are gaps in understanding of PRA and how it relates to IPPC standards and wider areas. Following an international workshop on “Invasive Alien Species and IPPC” in 2003, PRA experts concluded that all countries could benefit from greater knowledge sharing and experience on the topic.
Globally, there are gaps in understanding of PRA and how it relates to IPPC standards and wider areas. Following an international workshop on “Invasive Alien Species and IPPC” in 2003, PRA experts concluded that all countries could benefit from greater knowledge sharing and experience on the topic.
Results
The workshop held on 24-28 October 2005 brought together 134 national participants, over half from developing countries. A number of developing countries participated in both the plenary and poster presentations.
The workshop covered a range of topics including international law and standards, approaches to and models for PRA via the specifics of entry, environment and economic assessment, the challenges of LMOs and alien invasive species, risk management and communication, information sources and training.
The participants provided very positive feedback on the workshop. The follow-up questionnaire revealed that participants' experience was very useful; the platform presentations generated most use followed by the break-out sessions. The information provided is used as reference in several countries. The extensive reporting of the workshop to other colleagues followed by enhancements in their national PRA delivery and the use in their training programmes were the key outcomes of the workshop.
The workshop covered a range of topics including international law and standards, approaches to and models for PRA via the specifics of entry, environment and economic assessment, the challenges of LMOs and alien invasive species, risk management and communication, information sources and training.
The participants provided very positive feedback on the workshop. The follow-up questionnaire revealed that participants' experience was very useful; the platform presentations generated most use followed by the break-out sessions. The information provided is used as reference in several countries. The extensive reporting of the workshop to other colleagues followed by enhancements in their national PRA delivery and the use in their training programmes were the key outcomes of the workshop.
Recommendations
Including a wider body of materials in training resources, sharing lessons from other national stakeholders including decision-makers and industry groups can be beneficial for the future. Awareness around the Centres of Phytosanitary Excellence among National Plant Protection Organizations needs to be further raised, and additional support provided.
It is recommended to tailor and target further training across communities including regulators and scientists who carry out pest risk analysis, risk managers, communicators, and decision-makers who can support best practices.
It is recommended to tailor and target further training across communities including regulators and scientists who carry out pest risk analysis, risk managers, communicators, and decision-makers who can support best practices.
Documents
| Attachment | Size |
|---|---|
 STDF/PG/089 - Application Form (2005) | 232.59 KB |
| STDF/PG/089 - Final Project Report (2007) | 1.44 MB |
| STDF/PG/089/120 - Joint Evaluation Report (2007) | 182.64 KB |
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