Overview
The likelihood of entry is reduced by physically preventing the introduction and release of pests in the importing jurisdiction.
- Examples include requirements for the consignment to remain sealed in the importing jurisdiction until inspected and cleared, or for secure packaging to be used for transport and storage of the commodity in the importing jurisdiction prior to processing in a secure, protected facility.
- Pest biology generally determines the design and efficacy of this measure. For example, the mesh size of any enclosing material may be specified in relation to the size and mobility of the pest.
- Requirements to prevent escapes are common up to the point of clearance by the importing jurisdiction. They can also be applied to commodities prior to post-border processing that may remove any remaining biosecurity risks, or that require post-border quarantine containment.
- Assurance can be achieved by, for example, specifying approved ports of entry and transport routes, and that consignments are packaged and transported in a way that will prevent escapes, prior to inspection or processing.
Evidence to support efficacy
The supporting evidence for preventing pest escape is generally determined by the biological characteristics of the pest. For example, the pore size of any enclosure material or the security of a container may be specified in relation to the size and mobility of the target pest. The time it takes for the pest to reach a life stage where it could escape the consignment may also need to be considered in relation to the speed and duration of post-border transport and storage. In some cases, experimental studies may be needed to establish the level of risk, and the efficacy of specific measures under operational conditions.
Applying the measure
How it is used
Factors that may influence the post-border likelihood of a pest escaping a consignment are considered during pest risk assessment. For example, the mode of trade (bulk or packed).
Secure storage and segregation of imported consignments are often required before border inspections to prevent pest escapes. For example, sea containers may need to stay sealed and be stored in a certain area until cleared through inspection.
Additional measures to prevent escapes are relevant where the commodity or carrier may be processed or packaged within the importing country in a way that will address remaining risks. That may include post-shipping storage of wood chips (for paper), bulk grain (for milling) and fruit (for juicing or canning). Requirements may include restrictions on ports of entry and distribution, type of transport, speed of transport, and where processing can be undertaken. For example, wheat from Canada to Australia must go directly and securely to approved sites for processing. Similarly, in vitro plants may need to be held under secure conditions for quarantine purposes.
Use with other measures
Requirements to prevent escape is often linked to border clearance inspections (inspection with remedial action and quarantine with remedial action measures) conducted by the importing jurisdiction. At least some of these requirements (e.g. secure facilities for post-border quarantine) will be the responsibility of the importing jurisdiction and so not technically phytosanitary measures. Prevent escape measures will often also be combined with restricted end-use requirements and with post-border processing that also acts to reduce pest infestation in the commodity.
Similar measures
The methods used to prevent pest escape are similar or the same as pest exclusion measures like safeguarding (e.g. enclosing the packed product in insect-proof netting) and segregation (e.g. storing consignments in a clean, secure area prior to export) but their purpose is preventing escapes in the importing jurisdiction, rather than preventing infestation in the exporting jurisdiction.
Assurance of correct implementation
Approved ports of entry and transport routes may be specified in the import permit to ensure that consignments enter only those ports with approved facilities capable of managing the risks of pest escape. There may be requirements for consignments to be packaged and transported in a way that will prevent the escape of pests prior to border clearance in the importing jurisdiction.
Requirements to prevent escapes can be the responsibility of the consignee (e.g. to ensure secure storage until a consignment has been cleared by the importing jurisdiction), the importing government (e.g. where material is held in post-border quarantine or maintaining secure facilities for post-quarantine inspections) or third parties (e.g. processing facilities accepting imported grain). These can be audited by authorised personnel to ensure they have been correctly implemented.