210 likes | 339 Views
DUELING SCIENCE WITH STAKEHOLDERS. Quarantine and Market Access Conference 2003 Dennis Hannapel APHIS Area Director-Oceania US Embassy Canberra, Australia. Dueling Science?. Who is a Stakeholder?. Stakeholder Tactics. Risk Assessment or Analysis Scientific Publications Data
E N D
DUELING SCIENCE WITH STAKEHOLDERS Quarantine and Market Access Conference 2003 Dennis Hannapel APHIS Area Director-Oceania US Embassy Canberra, Australia
Stakeholder Tactics • Risk Assessment or Analysis • Scientific Publications • Data • Public Awareness Campaigns • Political Intervention
Risk Assessments • Used by government regulatory bodies • Resource intensive • Technically accurate? (pest lists) • Legally and politically correct • Loss of emphasis • Critiqued by industry and the public
Scientific Publications • Peer-reviewed, published in reputable journal • Abstract-Introduction-Materials and Methods-Results and Discussions-Conclusion • Scientific Duel • Specific Conclusions • Prove a “Negative”
Data • Counting and recording events • Trap results, field surveys, pest interceptions, & diseased animals • Non-scientific? • Rarely stands alone
Public Awareness Campaigns • Propaganda • Industry driven-market competition • Selective information • Media coverage and emotional
Political Intervention • Does exist! • Politicians sensitive to constituents • Non-scientific reality
New Zealand Apples into Australia • Fire blight transmitted on mature, commercially produced apples? • IRA still pending • US and Japan-WTO dispute resolution • Public perception of fire blight • Outcome?
Stakeholder Influences • IRA-intensely scrutinized by the public and industry, and RAP continues • Scientific Publications • Ample materials-dueling • Specific conclusions-Japan/US study • WTO decision
Influences (continued) • Data – Not much • Negative field surveys • Never been introduced on apples • Public awareness Campaigns • No risk is acceptable • Imports are bad for economy • Political Intervention
California Table Grapes to Australia • Grape bunches are the introduction pathway for the glassy winged sharpshooter? • Pierce’s Disease could be so catastrophic to the Australian table grape and wine industry that no risk is acceptable.
Stakeholder Influences-CA Grapes • IRA-heavily critiqued, new information became available – GWSS • Scientific Publications • Scientific duel • Specific conclusions or prove a “negative” • Data • Never found in grape bunches • Unacceptable
CA Grapes (Continued) • Public Awareness Campaigns • Possibility of GWSS in grape bunches • No risk is acceptable • Political Intervention • WTO dispute resolution • Free Trade Agreement
Conclusions • Decision makers may be over influenced by the stakeholders • Science on both sides of every issue • Manageable risks are international norm • Political Intervention new driving force