What is the consequence of having pests in a shipment that are not significant to the importing country but treatment is not available?

The consequence of having pests in a shipment that are not significant to the importing country, coupled with the absence of available treatment options, leads to the decision to refuse certification.

Certifying a shipment that contains pests, regardless of their perceived significance, can pose a risk to local agriculture, ecosystems, and public health. Importing countries often have stringent regulations in place to prevent the introduction of any pests that could potentially become a threat, even if they are not currently considered significant.

When treatment is not available, the responsible action is to maintain trade integrity and safeguard the importing country’s agriculture by refusing certification. This decision underscores the principle of precautionary measures in phytosanitary practices to prevent potential invasions by pests that could lead to adverse ecological and economic impacts.

In situations where pests can be treated, possible actions might include conducting those treatments or allowing certification under specific conditions, but those options are not applicable here due to the lack of treatment availability. Temporary clearance might offer a short-term solution, but it also implies a level of acceptance of risk that is not aligned with strict phytosanitary guidelines.