Title: Comparison of veterinary import risk analysis studies

Authors: Clazien J. De Vos; Larry G. Paisley; Franz J. Conraths; Amie Adkin; Gunilla S. Hallgren

Addresses: Quantitative Veterinary Epidemiology and Risk Analysis, Central Veterinary Institute of Wageningen UR, PO Box 65, 8200 AB Lelystad, The Netherlands. ' Section for Epidemiology and Public Sector Consultancy, Department of Veterinary Diagnostics and Research, National Veterinary Institute, Technical University of Denmark, Bülowsvej 27, 1790 Copenhagen, Denmark ' Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Seestr. 55, 16868 Wusterhausen, Germany. ' Centre for Epidemiology and Risk Analysis, Veterinary Laboratories Agency, Weybridge, New Haw, Addlestone, Surrey KT15 3NB, UK. ' National Veterinary Institute, SE-751 89 Uppsala, Sweden.

Abstract: Twenty-two veterinary import risk analyses (IRAs) were audited: a) for inclusion of the main elements of risk analysis; b) between different types of IRAs; c) between reviewers| scores. No significant differences were detected between different types of IRAs, although quantitative IRAs and IRAs published in peer-reviewed journals tended to have higher scores than qualitative and report-published IRAs. Unexpectedly, no difference in scores was observed between IRAs that were classified as adhering to the OIE guidelines and those that did not. Reviewer bias was detected for the absolute scores given to the IRAs, although ranking of IRAs was reasonably consistent across reviewers. The audit spreadsheet should undergo further adaptation with a focus on hazard identification and risk assessment. We recommend that reviewing IRAs using the audit spreadsheet be done by a multidisciplinary group that comprises both specialists on risk assessment methodology and on the risk that is assessed.

Keywords: import risk analysis; risk assessment; guidelines; audit spreadsheets; animal health; veterinary imports.

DOI: 10.1504/IJRAM.2011.042672

International Journal of Risk Assessment and Management, 2011 Vol.15 No.4, pp.330 - 348

Received: 02 Jun 2010
Accepted: 17 Feb 2011

Published online: 28 Feb 2015 *

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