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)
promote approaches that ensure more prevention, more rapid reaction, better risk targeting and more
solidarity at EU level to tackle risks of EU significance. Potential options for improvement have been
developed in this context and a preliminary assessment was carried out, on the basis of the wide
stakeholder consultation carried out by the FCEC during this evaluation (section 5).
The results of the analysis of the options provide recommendations on those options that represent the
best balance of advantages/disadvantages against anticipated impacts. It is noted that these options are
complementary and, in all cases, the assumption is made that the improvements suggested in relation to
the status-quo will be taken on board. The key recommendations provided under these options are that:
The scope of the regime needs to be clarified, in particular in terms of the coverage of IAS and
measures to effectively address natural spread;
Some of the tools provided by the CPHR regime (e.g. import controls, emergency and control
measures, surveillance) are considered to be appropriate and effective overall if appropriately/
adequately applied, as well as strengthened where needed;
A number of other tools (in particular intra-EU movement through the plant passport system, and
regionalisation through the PZ system) may need a more fundamental review;
There is a need for improved communication and consultation, involving all actors with an
interest in plant health (including the wider public through public awareness approaches),
assigning and clarifying responsibilities amongst the various actors involved, and building
effective incentives and disincentives into the system;
Raising public awareness, in particular, on the significance of plant health for EU plant resources
and the economic viability of the sectors affected, beyond agriculture and forestry as such,
remains a key challenge and opportunity for the future;
Greater coherence can be pursued with certain other sets of EU legislation, in particular on
S&PM marketing, including a review of the appropriate positioning of RNQPs;
An important element of future policies needs to be the advancement of research and
development, including on PRA methodology to assess and demonstrate the full potential
economic impacts and benefits of different courses of action, and in particular action focused on
prevention and early response;
To respond to the need for improvement in diagnostic capability throughout the EU,
recommendations are made to promote the progressive establishment of reference laboratories
and networking of laboratories, including the designation of EU-reference laboratories for a
limited number of key pests of EU significance.
The contribution of the various options and recommendations towards the various identified needs and
objectives is depicted in the table below. The priority assigned to each option and need for further
assessments are also highlighted. The overarching objective in all cases is to improve prevention.
Food Chain Evaluation Consortium 383