Participants with their certificate
Biosecurity SI and Research Officers trained on Pest Risk Analysis (PRA)
The training was facilitated by the Biosecurity Solomon Islands through the Solomon Islands Biosecurity Development Program (SIBDP) with the assistance from the DAFF, and South Pacific Community, (SPC) Land Resources Division (LRD) Funded under the Safe Agricultural trade facilitation through economic integration in the Pacific (Safe Pacific)
The training begins on the 17th of April 2023 for 3 days and it is being conducted by a visiting expert from the Australian Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.
Pest risk analysis (PRA) is a form of risk analysis conducted by regulatory plant health authorities to identify the appropriate phytosanitary measures required to protect plant resources against new or emerging pests and regulated pests of plants or plant products.
Pest Risk Analysis is an obligation established under Sanitary and Phytosanitary Agreement (SPS) International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) and Solomon Islands Biosecurity Act 2013.
BSI continues to face difficulty affecting capacity to function effectively, due to lack of resources and capacity in the country to meet growing Biosecurity risk and market access request.
Luke Kiriau, Chief Biosecurity officer for market access and trade, in his statement said, this training is important because it will aid market access moving forward in conducting pest risk analyses prior to importing and preparing market access submissions before exporting to foreign markets. This is due to the increase in demand for import products from new sources for both plants and animals coming to the Solomon Islands.
Mr. Luke said that the need for new PRA for a specific pathway may arise in situation such as when
- Import is proposed of a commodity not previously imported or a commodity from new country of origin.
- There is an intention to import for selected and scientific research a plant species or cultivar not yet introduced that could potentially be a host of pests.
- A pathway other than commodity import is identified (Natural spread, packing material, mail, garbage, compost, passenger baggage etc)
- A change in Susceptibility of a plant to a pest is identify.
The training will prepare officers to become more modern and effective agency in the country, with highly-trained and well-equipped staff and facilities.
Francis Tsatsia, Director Biosecurity SI in his remarks during the Presentation of certificate said that he was very delighted to have the expert from the Australian Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry to come and trained the officers with Pest Risk Analysis. It’s a way forward for MAL to trained our staff with the specialised field.
Group presentation
Group Discussion
Group Discussion
MAL Press Release//