Synopsis: A phytosanitary systems approach integrates the biological traits of a quarantine pest with the production and other operational practices of growers to meet the import requirements of a trading partner. Based on the concept of Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points, a systems approach uses multiple mitigation measures at key points in the crop production cycle with the goal of achieving an acceptable level of protection against quarantine pest introduction. During this hands-on workshop, attendees will learn how to develop their seed health management plan, which is based on a systems approach and is a key requirement for USDA’s Regulatory Framework for Seed Health (ReFreSH). USDA speakers will describe the foundational tools used and their advantages and disadvantages, how we justify different mitigation requirements, the efficacy of the methods used, and how to ensure the integrity of the system approach is maintained.

1:30 - 2:15 [45 min] Systems approach concepts and tools

• The Phytosanitary HACCP concepts & critical control points
• ReFreSH: tools and practices
• IPRMM- Integrated Pest Risk Mitigation Measures

2:30 – 3:30 [45 min] Developing a systems approach for seed

• Pest management tools: pest free concepts, scouting, agronomic practices
• Oversight and verification: plant health systems approach, documentation
• Evaluation methods: onshore/offshore testing, risk-based sampling, field inspection 
• Regulatory tools: accreditation, certification, authorization, port-of-entry inspection

3:45- 4:30 [45 min] Developing the seed health management plan - Case studies

• Seed- Pest: Arthropod pests
• Seed- Pest: Virus & Bacteria
• Seed – Pest Fungi