Assessing the extent and use of risk analysis methodologies in Africa, using data derived from the Performance of Veterinary Services (PVS) Pathway

Choosing awareness over fear: Risk analysis and free trade support global food security

“…The ability to execute and communicate risk analyses is therefore vital for countries to participate and self-advocate in international trade while minimizing their exposure to hazards. Furthermore, the capacity for risk analysis strengthens within-country public health systems in their prevention, detection, and response to threats ( Bastiaensen et al, 2017 ; Hoffmann, 2010a ). Equipping each country and region in this way will strengthen trade relationships, local food and public health systems, and global resilience in the face of a future pandemic or shock to the food system.…”

“…Official veterinary services manage animal health and food safety, carry out surveillance activities, and inform risk-based policy and planning ( Zepeda et al, 2005 ). A review of OIE-conducted evaluations of the Performance of Veterinary Services (PVS) in 44 African countries found that all except three countries lacked the technical capability to conduct risk assessments in compliance with OIE standards ( Bastiaensen et al, 2017 ), and the report suggests that developing and in-transition countries globally lack risk analysis capacity. Building such capacity can encourage a virtuous cycle that begins with using information available, albeit unrepresentative data or expert opinion, to identify and prioritize areas of focus to both mitigate and better understand sources of risk.…”

Self-Reporting of Risk Pathways and Parameter Values for Foot-and-Mouth Disease in Slaughter Cattle from Alternative Production Systems by Kenyan and Ugandan Veterinarians

“…According to the principle of equivalence, countries are to recognize the actions taken by exporting partners according to the reduction in risk achieved rather than requiring a specific set of protocols (though actual practice is often murkier [10]). For this reason, risk assessments are an essential tool for demonstrating the fitness of one's goods for the international marketplace as well as for understanding and improving animal and public health domestically [10,11].…”

Assessment of the Risk of Foot and Mouth Disease among Beef Cattle at Slaughter from East African Production Systems

“…Scientific risk assessment of the threat posed by a product is the method recognized by the OIE to justify protective trade measures by importing countries [22]. Risk assessments are an essential tool for demonstrating the fitness of one's goods for the international marketplace as well as for understanding and improving animal and public health domestically [23].…”