In
1999, as part of the development of the Galapagos quarantine system, the Charles Darwin Foundation compiled a list of organic and inorganic products which would be allowed to enter Galapagos. This list was done in recognition of the urgent need to control the arrival of new species, and was based on a simple evaluation of the level of risk posed by the products. The list contains approximately 250 products divided into permitted, restricted and prohibited. The Ecuadorian Plant Health Service (SESA) approved and enacted the Galapagos import list and recently published it in the Official Register.
However, due to the constantly increasing volume of products entering Galapagos, the demand for importation of new products, and the need for a scientific base for the classification of the three categories, it became necessary to up-date the product list. A main consideration for the new up-dated list are the international trade standards which prevent pest entry. These are principally based on Pest Risk Analysis (PRA). Pest Risk Analyses layout and evaluate the risk of pests involved in a product, and analyse the measures required to manage the risk.
In March 2004 the Charles Darwin Foundation, in collaboration with SESA-Galapagos, began carrying out PRAs for 10 organic products which are allowed into Galapagos, and which could carry the highest risk. The goal of the PRAs is to minimise the risk of importations of new pests and diseases which could threaten the fragile Galapagos ecosystem, its species, and human health and well being.
Source: Charles Darwin Foundation.