When a shipment has pests that are significant to the importing country and treatment is available, what should be done next?

When a shipment contains pests that are of significant concern to the importing country and there is a treatment available, it is vital to ensure that the treatment is effectively administered to mitigate the risk of pest introduction. Proceeding to monitor the treatment is the appropriate next step. This monitoring allows for verification that the treatment will successfully eliminate the pests before the shipment continues to its destination. Ensuring the effectiveness of the treatment is crucial in maintaining biosecurity and safeguarding the agricultural interests of the importing country.

Refusing to certify the shipment may be a consideration if the treatment cannot be completed or if the pests cannot be effectively managed, but in this case, since a treatment is available, it would not be justified at this stage. Immediate acceptance would bypass necessary precautions, potentially allowing harmful pests to enter the country. Further inspection might be beneficial in some scenarios, but in this context—where treatment is accessible—monitoring its application is the most responsible course of action.