ABSTRACT
Guidelines were prepared for the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to explain aspects of international standards that facilitate the safe trade of fresh fruits and vegetables known to be fruit fly hosts. It explains key concepts and relationships within the regulatory framework that is defined by the World Trade Organization (WTO) Agreement on the Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (the SPS Agreement) and the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) with its associated International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures. Relevant provisions of the agreements, standards, and related disputes are explained in the context of risk management applications for fruit flies. The guide aims for a better understanding of the factors that should be considered when establishing trade, the important role of research, and how to maximize the potential for international standards to facilitate safe trade. It describes an evolutionary design for risk management to guide future efforts by the fruit fly community.
A central theme of the guide is the importance of being thoughtful about programme objectives and the designs that achieve those objectives in a sound and defendable way in concert with international standards, recognizing that standards are incomplete and constantly evolving. This points to the importance of not only understanding and following standards but partnering with the regulatory community to drive the evolution of standards and move pest risk management for fruit flies into a new era. No group is in a better position to advance this agenda than the fruit fly community because of its long history, broad foundation, and close relationship to the regulatory community. The guide emphasizes moving toward a holistic approach through close coordination with all relevant authorities, institutions, and organizations, including the research sector, regulatory authorities, producer and export associations, investors, and international organizations.
