PRA procedures in the UK and in Europe By Dr Ray Cannon The Food and Environment Research Agency (Fera) Thursday 28 th July 2011, Bangkok Format of the talk • What is PRA? And Why is PRA done • Pathway, Pest or Policy-initiated? • Two PRA schemes: – PART 1: The UK PRA scheme • The EC PH Directive and Annex-listed quarantine pests for Europe – PART 2: EPPO PRA scheme What is Pest Risk Analysis? • The process of evaluating biological or other scientific and economic evidence to determine whether a pest should be regulated and the strength of any phytosanitary measures to be taken against it. • Glossary of phytosanitary terms, ISPM No. 5 Pest Risk Analysis (PRA) A structured, science-based process for evaluating: – Scientific and economic evidence – Determining whether the risk posed by an organism is sufficient to warrant phytosanitary regulation – The nature and strength of the measures to take against it (PRM). Why is PRA done? • To evaluate and manage risks from specific pests and internationally traded c ommodities – To identify and assess risks to agricultural and horticultural crops, forestry and the environment from plant pests – To create lists of regulated pests – To produce lists of prohibited plants and plant products – To assist in identifying appropriate management options (including measures and treatments) PRA schemes • A framework for conducting analyses • Ensuring that all factors are taken into account in detailed assessments • Highlighting those factors of key importance when there is time for only a brief appraisal, e.g. when pests are detected in perishable imports EPPO (2002). Pest risk analysis on detection of a pest in an imported consignment. EPPO Bulletin 32 : 235-239. PART 1. • The UK Fera’s PRA scheme for specific pests and diseases • With some examples of different pathway related PRAs • The three P’s! – Pathway, Pest or Policy UK PRA System INITIATION • Identity of pest • Capable of introduction ? • Reason for PRA (entry & establishment) • Define PRA area • Potential to cause damage ? RISK ASSESSMENT RISK MANAGEMENT • Present in UK/EU ? • Prospects for continued • EU/EPPO Pest Lists ? exclusion ? • Host Plants • Management options / • Geographical Distribution prospects for eradication • (Consultation) CONCLUSION UK PRA STAGE 1: INITIATION 1. What is the name of the pest? 2. What is the reason for the PRA? – New pathway ? – New pest ? – New policy ? 3. What is the PRA area ? – The UK or European Union? – EPPO region? PRA areas: the UK PRA areas: the EU PRA areas: the EPPO region A. Pathway-initiated PRAs • Commonly as a result of a new trade pathway(s), or via • Identification of a pathway that presents a potential pest risk • Uses a pathway (rather than a pest) as the basis for the PRA • Additional PRA’s are necessary for any pests that are identified as potential quarantine pests Ware potatoes from New Zealand (i) • PRA initiated via new trade request • Invertebrate potato pests studied – 52 pests and diseases were found to be common to NZ and UK – 15 pests identified for PRA • The white fringed weevil , identified as potentially serious invertebrate for EU • 15 PRAs sent to EC PH Standing Committee Graphognathus (Naupactus) leucoloma Conclusion of PRA • polyphagous pest of >350 plant species in the USA including vegetable crops and tree seedlings . • Native to South America • Spread to USA, S. Africa, Australia & New Zealand • Could spread to the EPPO region where it would threaten agriculture and silviculture. Ware potatoes from New Zealand (ii) • EC Decision 2001/199/EC – Derogation to import prohibition (Annex III.A.12) – From 1 st March to 31 st August 2001 • Derogation conditions included – use of certified seed and freedom from the white fringed weevil, wart disease, brown rot and potato cyst nematodes – More than 4,500 tonnes were imported – No quarantine pests and diseases detected B. Pest-initiated PRA • Uses a pest as the basis for the PRA – All possible pathways need to be considered • May occur as a result of: – Detection of pest in consignments – Outbreaks - inside or outside of the PRA area – A request for a pest to be imported for research – The spreading of a pest – Identification of an organism not previously known to be a pest – Identification of a pest that may require phytosanitary measures C. Policy-initiated PRA • As a result of review or revision of existing phytosanitary policies and priorities UK PRA STAGE 2: PEST RISK ASSESSMENT 4. Does the pest occur in the PRA area or does it arrive regularly as a natural migrant? – Natural migrants may not be excluded 5. Is …the pest is already established in the PRA area? – PRA may not be required (or for smaller area) 6. What is the pest’s status in the Plant Health Directive (2000/29/EC)? – Quarantine status (listed?) EC Plant Health Directive 2000/29/EC • Quarantine pests are listed in the Annexes of the EC Plant Health Directive:- • 300+ plant viruses, bacteria, insects, mites, nematodes and parasitic plants • Harmful to plants, or plant products, whose Introduction into EU MS’s is banned • Enacted in the UK by the Plant Health (England) Order 2005 UK PRA STAGE 2: PEST RISK ASSESSMENT (i) 7. What is the quarantine status of the pest in the lists of the European and Mediterranean Plant Protection Organisation ( EPPO )? – I.e. EPPO A1 and A2 Lists of pests 8. What are the pests’ host plants ? – Some hosts may not be present (tea in the UK!) 9. What hosts are of economic and/or environmental importance in the PRA area? UK PRA STAGE 2: PEST RISK ASSESSMENT (ii) 10. If the pest needs a vector , is it present in the PRA area? – Pine wood nematode vectors: Monochamus spp. 11. What is the pest’s present geographical distribution ? – Distributions of quarantine pests are given on EPPO data sheets as well as PRAs UK PRA scheme • The previous questions (Q’s 1-11) were aimed at collecting and collating the information required for a PRA • In the next stages (Q’s 12-19), more judgements are involved: i.e. in making assessments of the likelihood of occurrence a range of factors…. UK PRA STAGE 2: PEST RISK ASSESSMENT (iii) 12. How likely is the pest to enter the PRA area? – Very unlikely – Unlikely – Moderate likelihood – Likely – Very likely Factors determining the ‘probability of entry’ • The number and variety of pathways • Association of pest with the pathway • Survival in transit • Probability of surviving phytosanitary procedures • Probability of surviving cultural or commercial practices • Transfer onto a suitable host UK PRA STAGE 2: PEST RISK ASSESSMENT (iv) 13. How likely is the pest to establish outdoors in the PRA area? – E.g. using CLIMEX mapping to predict survival 14. How likely is the pest to establish in protected (e.g. glasshouse) environments in the PRA area? – E.g. chrysanthemum glasshouses average of 20-22 °C Factors determining the ‘probability of establishment’ • Ecological Factors – Suitability of the abiotic environment – Presence of suitable hosts, alternate hosts and vectors – Availability of effective natural or artificial control mechanisms – Cultural practices • Intrinsic Factors – Life cycle – Reproductive strategy – Genetic adaptability – Minimum population needed for establishment Temperature data in relation to Aphid nerii development 35.0 30.0 25.0 20.0 15.0 TempTemp (C) (C) 10.0 5.0 0.0 1 31 61 91 121 151 181 211 241 271 301 331 361 Julian date Red = threshold temperature for development of Aphis nerii (8.2 °C) Heated max Heated min Outdoors max Outdoors min Blue = outdoor maximum and minimum temperature data southern England Black = maximum and minimum temperature in a heated glasshouse. Aphis nerii : PRA conclusions • In the UK hosts are grown outdoors and in protection • Is a pest which could survive in protection ‘year round’ and outdoors in the summer • Could be a virus vector • Statutory action was taken against the pest Fig. A3(iv) Diabrotica virgifera virgifera distribution in Europe predicted by CLIMEX with 1931-1960 mean climatic data from 285 weather stations Western corn rootwom: Establishment potential Hot (1995) Average (1997) UK PRA STAGE 2: PEST RISK ASSESSMENT (v) 15. How quickly could the pest spread within the PRA area? • E.g. For WCR spreading in the UK – A. Without EC controls : Rapid spread • 40 km yr -1 rate and costs between £2.2 - 2.6 million over 20 yr – B. With EC controls : Slow spread • 4 km yr -1 rate and costs between £8.6 - 11.5 million over 20 yr Maize distribution and Diabrotica spread potential UK PRA STAGE 2: PEST RISK ASSESSMENT (vi) 16. What is the pest’s potential to cause economic and/or environmental damage in the PRA area? – E.g. Phytophthora ramorum 17. What is the pest’s potential as a vector of plant pathogens? – E.g. Bemisa tabaci : vector of 120+ viruses Factors determining ‘economic impacts’ • Direct Pest Effects – Yield – Quality – Cost and Efficacy of Plant Protection • Indirect Pest Effects – Market Access – Environmental Effects – Eradication, Research and Advisory costs – Social costs e.g. tourism UK PRA STAGE 3: PEST RISK MANAGEMENT (i) 18. How likely is the pest to continue to be excluded from the PRA area? – A) Outdoors and B) In protection 19. How likely are outbreaks to be eradicated ? – Thrips palmi was eradicated in the UK in 2000-01 – Bemisa tabaci is regularly eradicated from glasshouses in the UK UK PRA STAGE 3: PEST RISK MANAGEMENT (ii) 20. What management options are available for containment and control? 21. Summary 22 . Conclusions REFERENCES Name of Pest Risk Analyst Conclusion of Pest Risk Assessment • Provide a statement summarising the overall risk • Does the pest have the characteristics of a quarantine pest? • Highlight key factors influencing overall risk: Entry, Establishment, Impacts • List the principal uncertainties • Ensure conclusions can easily be used by risk managers, e.g.