SUMMARY: Recent high-mortality incidents during live export, despite full compliance with the industry standards, can be directly attributable to the use of
prescriptive standards as the basis of risk management. The prescriptive approach to risk management can only be effective in biological systems if the standards are
all-encompassing, accounting for all eventualities. Physical risks can be managed using this approach, but only if the underlying system is completely understood.
3.3.2 Alternative risk management models
3.3.2.1 Relevant models
Prescriptive frameworks are no longer a common approach to risk management. Rather, risk management in a range of settings is now undertaken using one of a series of generic ‘risk
management models’. For the purposes of this review, several risk management models have been considered in detail, including:
• The Australian and New Zealand Standard on Risk Management Standards Australia, 1999 [a generic approach to risk management];
• Import risk analysis, within the Terrestrial Animal Health Code of the Office International des Epizooties OIE, 2003 [relating to international animal health]; and
• The first report on the harmonisation of risk assessment procedures from the European Commission European Commission, 2000 [relating to international animal health and welfare].
SUMMARY: Several risk management models have potential relevance to live export, including those developed by Standards Australia a generic approach, and
by the European Commission and the Office International des Epizooties both relating to international animal health.
3.3.2.2 Areas where these models agree
Throughout the literature, and in each of these above-mentioned documents, there is general agreement about broad approaches to risk management
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see Figure 8, which includes: • Risk assessment – the identification of potentially adverse events, and assessment of these
events in terms of likelihood and consequence • Risk management – the development of strategies as required to reduce risk to acceptable
levels • Risk communication - focusing on improved understanding of the process and of risk
management decisions Toma et al., 1999. In the above-mentioned documents, the risk assessment process is described and defined slightly
different but ultimately use the same set of steps to assess a risk.
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Risk management terminology is not used consistently among disciplines. In veterinary science, for example, ‘risk analysis’ replaces ‘risk management’ as the broad term encompassing risk assessment, risk management
and risk communication. In other disciplines, ‘risk treatment’ is sometimes preferred over ‘risk management’ as the term to encompass the development of risk mitigation strategies.
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M o
n it
o r an
d r e
v ie
w Establish the context
Identify risks Analyse risks
Evaluate risks Treat risks
C o
m m
u ni
ca te a
n d
c o
ns ul
t
Figure 8: Risk management pathway Standards Australia, 1999
SUMMARY: There is general agreement about the approach to risk management, which should include risk assessment, risk management and risk communication.
3.3.2.3 Areas where these models do not agree
