Lesson 2: Resources Used to Conduct Pest Risk Assessment

Topic 2: Finding Reliable Information

In this topic, you will learn where to obtain information to conduct risk assessment and how to ensure that the information included in a pest risk assessment is reliable and can withstand scrutiny from international trading partners.

Objectives:

  • Describe the kinds of information needed to conduct pest risk assessment
  • Discuss sources of information, their relevance, and reliability
  • List good practices for gathering, using, and documenting information
  • Explain the responsibility countries have to provide technical and biological information necessary for pest risk assessment.

Pest risk analysts obtain information from a wide variety of different sources. Access to a university, government or museum library is essential for risk analysts to be able to conduct their research. In addition, access to the Internet—with online journals and countless databases—is also vital. These two resources will provide the majority of information needed to conduct science-based PRAs. However, keep in mind that some information is best obtained by contacting regional specialists. For example, the NPPOs of trading partners (i.e., an exporting country) may be the best sources of information with regard to pest distribution or industry practices.

Consult the list below to learn more about specific resources and contacts that can be used to gather data and information for PRA.

Organizations and Institutes

Organizations and Institutes

  • Industry groups—farmers, co-ops, councils, etc.
  • Scientific societies (e.g., Entomological Society of America)
  • NPPOs and RPPOs, including trading partners
  • Universities, institutes, and academia
  • Extension services
  • Science museums
  • International organizations (e.g., CABI, FAO, UNCTAD, CGIAR centers, etc.)
  • Subject matter experts
Print and Digital Resources

Print and Digital Resources

  • Technical and scientific books on specific topics
  • Trade/economic reports for commodities or countries
  • Scientific and other peer-reviewed journals—hard copy and electronic journals
  • Government reports (NPPO records, reports, or analyses)
  • Compendia—prepared by scientific organizations or available through other sources (e.g., CABI Crop Protection Compendium)
  • Extension data sheets
  • Journal indexing services (e.g., CAB Abstracts, Web of Science, AGRICOLA, etc.)
  • Pest reports and pest data sheets from RPPOs
  • Information on crop production practices
  • Various databases on pests or commodities/internet databases (e.g., ScaleNET)
  • General or specific search engines (e.g., Google Scholar, etc.)

Article VIII of the IPPC is explicit regarding requirements for information exchange. This article requires cooperation to the fullest practicable extent in reporting the occurrence, outbreak, or spread of pests that may be of immediate or potential danger. It requires participation in any special campaigns for combating pests that may seriously threaten crop production and that need international action to meet the emergencies. It also requires cooperation, to the extent practicable, in providing technical and biological information necessary for pest risk assessment. Each country is required to designate a contact point for the exchange of information connected with the implementation of the IPPC.

Good Practices for Gathering and Using Information

Information and evidence form the backbone of a risk assessment, so risk analysts should do all they can to ensure that they get the best information available. Further, they must use that information accurately and transparently. The analyses they create will be subject to scrutiny by others, including scientists, trading partners, industry groups, and other stakeholders.

The rules below outline good practices for gathering, analyzing, and using information and evidence in pest risk analyses (Holtz, 2011).

  1. Always use the highest quality information available. The reliability of information depends upon the source of that information.
    • Some commonly used sources of information, on the Internet and elsewhere, may not be reliable.
    • Peer-reviewed, original sources from reputable groups are best and should be used whenever possible.
  2. Always cite information clearly and clearly link conclusions to the available evidence.
  3. Avoid citing information that you are not able to validate first hand. Rather than using a review article, compendium, or database, go to the original sources for information.
  4. Support all scientific or technical statements with appropriate scientific or technical references.
    • Support statements and conclusions in the assessment with appropriate evidence.
    • Avoid making statements or conclusions that go beyond what the original evidence can support.
  5. Ensure that all references are properly cited. Retain copies of references in case others raise questions about the assessment.
  6. If possible, use peer review for your analyses. Both internal and external reviews ensure accuracy and scientific rigor. These reviews may catch errors, mistakes in judgments, or oversights before the pest risk assessment is finalized.

Additional guidance on gathering information in PRA is available from the European and Mediterranean Plant Protection Organization (EPPO). This organization has a regional standard “checklist of information required for pest risk analysis (PRA)” that can serve as a valuable resource (EPPO, 1998). This resource is available online at http://archives.eppo.int/EPPOStandards/pra.htm. To obtain a copy of this resource, go to the Resources section of this module.

There are many resources you could use to perform a pest risk assessment. However, some sources of information are more acceptable than others. Answer the following question about sources of information.

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These are the best and most current resources available about Pestis horribilis. Click on each resource to explore summaries of this information.

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In this topic, you learned about some of the sources where reliable information is found, including organizations and institutions, as well as digital and printed media. You also learned about good practices for gathering and using high-quality, reliable information to support pest risk assessment.

To continue, select Lesson 3 from the Lessons menu above or click here.