Frequently Asked Questions - General

1. Goods have never been previously imported
2. Goods originate from a country or region not previously approved
3. Pest/disease status of the country or region changes
4. New information on a particular pest/disease
5. Process of regionalization is initiated

A PRA involves several stakeholders as well as information gathering and evaluation to be able to inform the decisions of the Policy Makers. Pertinent information is not always readily available. A PRA can therefore take months to years to complete depending on stakeholders.

Pathway-initiated/Commodity-based PRA:
This is done when a plant/seed for planting or plant produce for con- sumption is being imported

Pest-initiated PRA: 
Done in response to a pest/ disease of quarantine importance

PRA evaluates the likelihood of the entry, establishment, and spread of a pest and the associated potential biological and economic consequences.

Once the likelihood and consequences are determined, a risk rating is assigned, and mitigative and management strategies are recommended to Policy Makers.

The process may culminate in either the granting of permit, prohibition of entry of the commodity, or permit granted with phytosanitary declarations.

A process of investigation, evaluation of information and decision making with respect to a certain pest, commodity, plant, or plant produce.