Risk analysis and the importation of animals and animal products

Importation of animals or animal products cannot take place without some element of risk. Risk analysis is a blend of art and science and is a tool intended to provide decision-makers with an objective, repeatable and defensible assessment of the risks posed by a particular import proposal. Risk analysis comprises risk identification, risk assessment, risk management and risk communication. Examples are presented of risk analysis involving anthrax in green hides, slow virus diseases and sheep embryos, and Office International des Epizooties List A diseases and embryos. The author proposes that, by sharing methodologies, quarantine services should be able to harmonize approaches to the problem of risk analysis.