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Published on:

10 August 2012

This project comprised the development of a commodity-based hazard identification protocol for biological hazards in plants and animals as a decision support tree programmed in Excel. The content of the decision tree is based on the results of a systematic review of pest and pathogen characteristics, a review of risk assessment schemes and on expert judgement. Application of the protocol results in an indication of the level of likelihood of entry of animal and plant pathogens/pests in the area of destination associated with the commodity/pathway, and it guides the decision regarding potential actions to be undertaken in the search for existing and emerging pathogens/pests. The decision tree consists of three levels. Level 0 concerns whether the commodity itself can turn into a pest, whether it can contain pests and pathogens, and whether it contains additional material that can be contaminated. The likelihood that a commodity contains pests and pathogens depends on the likelihood of pest association and survival before the commodity is transported to the country of destination, and the likelihood that the pest/pathogen will come into contact with local hosts in that country. In level 1, the likelihood of pest association and survival is elaborated and assessed for each pest/pathogen category, whereas in level 2 the likelihood that a biological hazard comes into contact with local host is assessed in greater detail. The decision tree is extended with a [commodity list derived from Combined Nomenclature (CN) classification with relevant characteristics, and a pathway model which enables the risk assessor to provide and structure the relevant information. The decision tree was tested and demonstrated by six commodities: three of plant origin and three of animal origin.

CHIP: Commodity based Hazard Identification Protocol for emerging diseases in plants and animals

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