Overview
Buffer zones around designated areas or sites reduce the likelihood of pest entry.
- Examples include a buffer zone surrounding a Pest Free Site, Pest Free Area or protected facility.
- Evaluating the efficacy of this measure requires knowledge of the dispersal ability of the pest, typically with reference to how far the pest may move within a relevant time frame.
- A buffer zone will require surveillance or management (e.g. removal or treatment of hosts) within an agreed distance of the designated area or site. Buffer zones can be considered as a feature of the production system when undertaking pest risk assessment or proposed as a phytosanitary measure.
- For assurance, maps of the production location(s) and designated buffer zone may be required. Buffer zone management practices may be audited by authorised personnel, with oversight from the NPPO or relevant authority of the exporting jurisdiction.
Evidence to support efficacy
A buffer zone gives confidence that pest prevalence is sufficiently low in areas adjacent to the designated area or site, reducing the risk of pest entry. Justifying the requirements and design (e.g. diameter) or a buffer zone measure requires an understanding of likely pest prevalence in the intended buffer zone, the likelihood of the pest moving from the buffer zone into the designated area or site, and how that will affect pest establishment or infestation risk within the designated area.
A buffer zone measure generally requires surveillance or pest management (e.g. removal or treatment of hosts) to be undertaken within the buffer zone. In this case, evidence for surveillance design, remedial action thresholds and any proposed management actions may be required.
Applying the measure
How it is used
Buffer zone measures are rarely used alone as they are generally applied adjacent to sites or areas that are registered for trade. They can be considered when undertaking a pest risk assessment or applied as a phytosanitary measure. Where applied as a phytosanitary measure they require active monitoring and/or pest management.
Use with other measures
Buffer zones are combined with other measures to limit the risk of pest exposure within a designated area or site. They are commonly combined with Pest Free Areas, Pest Free Sites and protected facilities measures. When combined with site-based measures it may not be legally permissible to require buffer zones to be extended into neighbouring properties.
Similar measures
Buffer zones and Low Pest Prevalence measures both provide confidence in low pest prevalence. However, buffer zones are placed adjacent to areas or sites that can be registered for trade to prevent pest entry and help to maintain the integrity of the adjacent area or site.
Buffer zones and geographical isolation both reduce risk through spatial separation from the pest. However, buffer zones are applied irrespective of the presence of identified sources of pests and are actively managed.
The requirements for maintaining a buffer zone may be similar to other measures such as surveillance with correction actions (Area of Low Pest Prevalence and pest management measures), or removal of host plants within the buffer zone (hygiene). However, these would be considered as components of the buffer zone measure, rather than dependent or supporting measures as they are not being applied to areas or sites that are registered for trade.
Assurance of correct implementation
Documentation and verification procedures may include maps of the production location(s) and the buffer zone, as well as records of any surveillance or management activities undertaken in the buffer zone. These records may be audited by authorised personnel, with oversight by the NPPO or relevant authority of the exporting jurisdiction. There may also be requirements for physical inspection of the production or post-production location(s) to ensure compliance with the requirements of the measure.