2454 final report.pdf - Agra CEAS Consulting

Evaluation of the Community Plant Health Regime: Final Report
DG SANCO Evaluation Framework Contract Lot 3 (Food Chain)
public sentiment, such measures may have significant adverse effects on highly touristic
areas, thus affecting others sectors (tourism) and the wider rural economy.
Thus there is evidence that in several cases, as described above, there have been significant
delays in the adoption of emergency measures, and that the emergency measures taken may have
not been those which were most appropriate, effective and efficient. In the seed sector in
particular, seed traders consider there is significant confusion and delays in that emergency
measures not only set requirements for phytosanitary guarantees to be provided by exporting
third countries, but also add additional requirements upon importation, such as sampling and
testing by the NPPO, while seeds cannot be used for processing activities during the test period.
It would be theoretically impossible to make assessments for all the HOs ex-ante, even if they
are not already present (emerging risks), unless there is a prioritisation and only a limited set is
addressed ex ante. Since 2006, EFSA has put in place an ESCO working group 125 to identify
emerging risks. The WG focuses on specific indicators for which relevant signals can be
provided to identify risks, using information derived from existing databases and other accessible
sources (e.g. surveillance data). Two of the indicators relate to plant health risks (emergence of a
new or exotic biological agent pathogenic to plants/food/feed crops; increased virulence of
known pathogens including plant pathogens). In addition, the Standing Committee on Plant
Health and EPPO provide important fora in the context of which emerging and potentials risks
can be identified; in the case of EPPO this includes an alert list that is regularly updated with
new information of plant pests which are considered to be emerging risks for agriculture,
horticulture, forestry and amenity plants in Europe (see also section 3.2.1).
Improvements to the EUROPHYT system, such as those proposed in section 3.4.1, would result
in a more pro-active approach that focuses on upcoming threats to inform decision-makers.
Additionally, harmonisation of the implementation of emergency measures and consistency with
other MS should be sought. This would facilitate trade and assure a level playing field and would
lead to a reduction of the risks of introduction of HOs by ensuring a coordinated approach to pest
risk management.
3.4.12 Conclusions on performance of import regime
Overall, the consensus views from the general survey and the expert interviews and field visits
are that, on the whole, the current import system works satisfactorily. The general survey results
indicate that the plant health procedures and requirements, as applied during the last 15 years for
commercial imports of plants and plants products, are considered to have been largely effective
in preventing the introduction of HOs into the Community. Respondents were asked to assess the
effectiveness of each individual procedure and obligation under the import regime, and for nearly
all of these more than 80% of CAs and about two thirds of stakeholder respondents indicated that
each instrument was considered to have been effective (general survey results, Q3.1).
125 EFSA Scientific Cooperation working group.
Food Chain Evaluation Consortium 111