This post is by integrated crop management advisor Muhammad Faheem and project manager Dr. Muzammil Farooq, both with the Centre for Agriculture and Biosciences International.

The import risk associated with agricultural products was the topic of a recent training featuring Centre for Agriculture and Biosciences International (CABI) experts Dr. Muzammil Farooq, Muhammad Faheem and Dr. Annamalai Sivapragasam. The two-day international virtual training on import risk analysis was presented to national regulatory authorities of Philippines government and organized by Winrock International in the Philippines.

This international training was attended by 32 participants from the Philippine Department of Agriculture representing the Bureau of Plant Industry, the Bureau of Animal Industry, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, the Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority, the National Meat Inspection Service, the Food Development Center, the Philippine Coconut Authority, the Sugar Regulatory Administration and the National Dairy Authority.

During the training program, CABI experts provided an overview of the concepts, components and frameworks of import risk analysis to help the participants familiarize themselves with the methods for assessing disease and pest risks, particularly those associated with the importation of agricultural products, by following the sanitary and phytosanitary agreement and food safety standards.

The participants were told about the process of risk management, which involves identifying, selecting and implementing mitigation measures to reduce and manage the level of risk to an acceptable level.

Presenters discussed a number of key management measures that can be implemented before, at, or beyond border areas by a variety of stakeholders (e.g, regulators, processors and growers). The evaluation of measures and their continuous monitoring is very important to a successful risk management plan. The communication of risk is an iterative process and continues throughout the import risk analysis.

Three case studies on pest/safety risk in crops and fish imports (rhinoceros beetle in coconuts, fruit fly in mangos and histamine in fish) were presented to illustrate good risk analysis practices.

This training activity was organized under the Building Safe Agricultural Food Enterprises project funded by U.S. Department of Agriculture under its Food for Progress program in the Philippines.

The goal of this project is to improve the trade of safe and wholesome food and agricultural products. It does so by working with the government of Philippines in providing agencies with the tools and information needed to implement evidence-based risk analysis and helping the government meet obligations under domestic law as well as international food safety and trade protocols. Building Safe Agricultural Food Enterprises will improve private sector access to services, information and relationships to access food safety-conscious export and domestic markets.

For more information, please contact:
Muhammad Faheem
CABI
+60 (0)17 397 2774

[email protected]