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  • 1. Introduction to Risk Analysis
  • 2. Terminology and Uncertainty in Pest Risk Analysis
  • 3. Types of Pest Risk Analyses
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  • 1. PRA Initiation Points
  • 2. Organism PRA
  • 3. Pathway PRA
  • 4. Commodity PRA
  • 5. Lesson Summary
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Lesson 3: Types of Pest Risk Analyses

Topic 4: Commodity PRA

PRAs that examine the risk(s) of one or more pests entering a country via a specific imported commodity are a type of pathway PRA known as commodity PRAs, import risk analyses, or pathway-initiated PRAs. 

ISPM No. 5 defines commodity as “a type of plant, plant product, or other article being moved for trade or other purpose.” Typical commodities subject to PRA include fresh fruits and vegetables for consumption, nursery stock and plants for planting, seeds and germplasm, wood products (e.g., wood packing material, raw lumber, logs, and wood chips), and handicrafts made from plant materials (e.g., potpourri, baskets, and decorative items), as well as articles such as used vehicles or ceramic tiles.

Risk Categories for Commodities

Some commodities pose greater risks than others. The IPPC developed and adopted ISPM No. 32 (Categorization of commodities according to their pest risk) to provide guidance on factors to consider when evaluating the risk posed by different commodities. The level of risk will depend on:

• The amount of processing that the commodity is subjected to, and
• The intended use of the commodity (e.g., consumption, planting)

Low Risk Commodities

Commodities intended for consumption, such as fresh fruits, vegetables, and many types of grains, are considered to be lower risk than commodities intended for planting. This is because the commodity’s intended use—consumption—greatly reduces (but does not entirely eliminate) the likelihood that pests, if present, can escape into the environment and find suitable host material. Processed products, such as oils, milled grain, cotton fiber, canned or processed vegetables, and wood veneer, are also considered lower risk commodities because the processing itself often eliminates or kills any pests that may be present.

High Risk Commodities

Commodities such as seeds, germplasm, and plants intended for planting are considered to be higher risk commodities. Pests that are present on these commodities have a higher likelihood of entering, establishing, and eventually spreading in a new area. This is because these commodities are imported into a country with the objective of planting them in the environment and providing them with all the necessary protections for their successful growth and survival. If these commodities bring unwanted pests with them, the pests will also be provided with a suitable environment in which to thrive.

Imported Commodities

In general, an importing country conducts a commodity PRA when it receives a market access request from a country wishing to export that commodity to them. In this instance, the scope of the commodity PRA is defined as: commodity X coming from a specific origin, country Y. For example, an importing country may conduct a PRA for a specific type of fruit (e.g., papaya, orange, mango, apple, etc.) from a specific area or exporting country (e.g., Australia, Brazil, Canada, etc.).

Some countries also use commodity PRAs to examine other types of scenarios, such as the return of humanitarian or military equipment to their country after deployment abroad. In these instances, a commodity PRA is done to ensure that the equipment does not bring quarantine pests with it.

Countries can also use this type of PRA to examine commodities in a broader sense. For example:

1. A PRA for an entire commodity class (e.g., Citrus spp. instead of just oranges or all “stone fruit” instead of just peaches) from a specific origin
2. A specific commodity coming from all origins (e.g., grapes from any origin)

This broader approach is more time-consuming but, being more comprehensive, might reduce the work required in future PRAs.

Exported Commodities

Commodity PRAs can also facilitate exports. In this instance, the purpose of the PRA is to provide scientific and technical justification or clarification to facilitate a specific export. The exporting country is in the best position to provide accurate information on issues such as pest distribution and commodity harvest and postharvest processes in their own country. As with any PRA, the information and analysis should be technically sound, comprehensive, and defensible. Depending on the issue, the analysis may provide:

• A general review of pests associated with a given commodity
• Potential risk mitigation options for a commodity and its pests
• An in-depth analysis of a specific pest problem that is hindering the export of the commodity to another country

It is important to understand that commodity PRAs for exports should not include an assessment of consequences. This is because consequences are judgments, and it is the responsibility of the importing country to determine its acceptability of the identified risk; in other words, the importing country must justify its measures. Therefore, work on PRA for exports usually requires that only portions of a PRA be provided (e.g., a pest list for the (export) commodity or an analysis of likelihood of entry) in order to facilitate and promote technical dialogue with the importing country.

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