If a shipment has pests important to the importing country and treatment is unavailable, what is the next step?

When a shipment contains pests that are significant to the importing country's agricultural and environmental standards, and there is no treatment available to mitigate those pests, the proper procedure is to refuse to certify the shipment. This action is taken to uphold the phytosanitary regulations aimed at protecting the country's flora and fauna from potential threats posed by invasive species.

Refusing certification ensures that only pest-free or appropriately treated products enter the importing country, thereby minimizing the risk of pest establishment and spread. This approach is crucial in maintaining biosecurity and in compliance with international trade protocols and local laws designed to protect agriculture and natural ecosystems.

Alternative treatments or conditional approvals would not be viable options in this situation since they could potentially lead to the introduction of harmful pests. Proceeding with certification under these circumstances would contradict the purpose of phytosanitary measures, which prioritize the health of the importing country’s agriculture and environment.