e-Learning courses on pest risk analysis kick off

Rome, 20 May 2022. The online training courses on pest risk analysis (PRA) commenced on 16 May, are designed to further the knowledge of national plant protection organizations (NPPOs) and phytosanitary practitioners. The tutor-led course and self-trained e-learning course were developed by global plant health experts, under the auspices of the Secretariat of the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) in partnership with the Comité de Liaison Europe Afrique Craibe Pacifique (COLEACP). These courses were developed within the framework of the project “FAO support to COMESA trade facilitation programme” and are part of the Memorandum of Understanding between IPPC and COLEACP signed in November 2021.

Twenty-one participants have enrolled in the tutor-led course from nine countries including Gabon, South Africa, Tanzania, Kenya, Egypt, Bolivia, Argentina, Uruguay and Brazil. In addition, 21 other trainees have enrolled in the interactive self-study course.

The PRA e-learning course consists of seven modules, the first three of which are offered to trainees at the intermediate level. Topics include a review of the international context of plant protection and the roles of the IPPC; a detailed look at PRA, specifically the concepts of risk, probability and impacts; information gathering and how to deal with uncertainty; the importance of risk communication and transparency; and a case study on pathway-initiated PRA and a pest-initiated PRA.

The advanced level covers the succeeding four modules which detail the stages of the PRA process, including initiation, pest risk assessment, risk management and review. Finally, trainees will have the chance to gain hands-on experience by working on a case study and applying their learnings on the three stages of PRA. Participants who have completed either one or both levels will receive certificates, provided they pass the tests.

The PRA tutored training course runs from 16-27 May and is led by Helen Harman, Senior Adviser, Biosecurity Science and Risk Analysis, Ministry of Primary Industries of New Zealand, and Andrea Sissons National manager of the PRA Unit, Canadian Food Inspection Agency of Canada.

For more information on the PRA e-learning course, visit the COLEACP website or email Juan Rull Gabayet at [email protected] and for any access-related issue on the COLEACP platform, contact [email protected].

For related information on PRA such as the International Standards on Phytosanitary Measures (ISPMs) and IPPC guides and training materials, please visit the IPPC website here.