Crop Protection | 2021
The importance of distinguishing between demonstrating the efficacy and implementation of phytosanitary systems approaches
Abstract
Abstract A risk framework including four risk reduction objectives was developed to guide the selection of the most effective, least trade restrictive measures for use in phytosanitary systems approaches. Here we discuss its role in relation to control points, verification and traceability systems. Development of systems approaches is typically a two-step process, identifying and assessing measures to reduce pest risk to set a phytosanitary import requirement for a regulated article, and then agreeing on how those measures are to be implemented within a protocol or work plan. The risk framework was explicitly designed to address the first step, by classifying proposed measures according to how they reduce risk. We argue that control points, verification and traceability systems are most relevant to the implementation of protocols. Control points focus on where and when specific measures can be applied to mitigate risk, and should not be used as the basis for determining how the measures manage risk as measures applied at the one control point can manage risk in very different ways and times. Continued effort is required to develop, test and harmonise concepts that underpin phytosanitary systems approaches.