Lesson 3: Common PFA Applications
Topic 1: Examples of PFA Applications
Numerous real-world examples of PFA applications are provided to you in this topic.
Objective:
- Participants will become familiar with the different ways a PFA can be applied.
In the previous lesson, you learned about the three general types of PFA as defined by the IPPC. Within these types, there are some common PFA applications to specific situations. Please read through the following examples to discover the most common ways to operate a PFA.
In order to better understand the reason why a PFPP was chosen for this situation, consider the four major factors that should be evaluated before attempting to establish a pest-free area. Recall that these factors are: pest, physical, human, and operational. Interact with the boxes below to explore further.
Next you will explore an example of a pest-free production site (PFPS) application.
Pest-free production site (PFPS): Greenhouses
A pest-free production site (PFPS) is a site enclosed by a pest exclusionary structure, like a greenhouse or screen house. An enclosed production area such as a greenhouse provides many opportunities to control the environment. However, operating a PFPS can also be expensive and labor-intensive. This type of production site must meet a long list of operational requirements in order to maintain a PFA status. Look at the following for an example of PFPS.
Click through the factors below to better understand why a PFPS may have been chosen for this situation.
Recall the Medfly example from earlier in the module. We will now explore in more depth why the PFA was established in this example. Watch the following clip to get started.
Pest-free area (PFA): Eradicating Medfly
As a specific application of pest-free concepts, the purpose of a PFA program is to maintain, control, or eradicate a pest within the environment. This may be a specific area like a state or province within the country, or it may be the entire country. Watch the following video for an example of a PFA program.
Now click through the factors below to better understand why a PFA may have been chosen for the situation in the previous video.
Areas of low pest prevalence (ALPP): papayas and fruit flies
The basic concept of this pest-free application is that selected areas must keep the pest population under a certain threshold. For example, areas of low pest prevalence (ALPP) are used as part of a systems approach to export papayas to the U.S. from several countries in South and Central America. For this ALPP situation, fruit fly populations (Medfly and South American fruit fly) must be surveyed by trapping with the appropriate traps and trap density for several months before harvest. It is important to remember that an ALPP cannot be used as a stand-alone phytosanitary measure. It must be combined with other measures as part of a systems approach.
In order for these papaya-exporting countries to declare ALPP status, the fruit fly populations must be maintained below 14 fruit flies per trap per week for export to be allowed. If the populations are between 7 and 14 flies per trap per week, the NPPO of the country must apply bait sprays to the orchards. Other measures included in this systems approach are harvesting the fruit no more than half ripe and a 20 minute 48°C hot water dip. These measures, applied together, provide the desired level of protection.
In this lesson, you learned about different applications of PFAs. There are many ways to apply pest-free concepts, and these were just a few common examples. For more detailed information on general PFA guidelines, consult ISPMs #4 and #29. Additionally, requirements for establishing a PFA for fruit flies is very specific and thus has specific guidelines found in ISPMs #26 and #30.
Remember that each individual situation and pest will direct the decisions you make regarding pest-free areas. Even the day-to-day decisions within these applications will vary depending on the situation and what your trading partner will accept for phytosanitary protection. Before making a decision about PFA, carefully consider the requirements of your trade partners and the four factors we discussed: pest, physical, human, and operational.
To continue, select Topic 2 from the Topics menu above or click here.