1. In search of a consistent Risk Assessment Framework for organisms Society for Risk Analysis ANZ conference 2013 Office of the Gene Technology Regulator Andrea Robold and Paul Keese We wish to acknowledge the persons who made the photographs or other images used in this presentation freely available on the internet.

2. When do risk assessment of organisms? When someone would like to release a new or modified organism, eg GMO or synthetic organism When someone would like to introduce an exotic organism to Australia, eg exotic pasture species, ornamental plants or a biological control agent When we have to assess possible risk to native organisms, crops or domestic animals, eg during a disease outbreak Namely, when there are uncertainty and a valuable environment.

3. Risk assessment of organisms Assess the likelihood and consequences by considering the organism and the environment potentially affected by the organism and their interaction.

4. Likelihood assessment Invasiveness of the organism. establish – reproduce – spread Susceptibility of the environment to invasion. resource availability and suitability – presence of stressors

5. Risk assessment of organisms Invasiveness Susceptibility Environment Organism Likelihood Degree of invasion

6. Consequence assessment Impact of the organism. Sensitivity of the environment.

7. Risk assessment of organisms Sensitivity Environment Impact Organism Consequence Degree of harm

8. Risk assessment of organisms Invasiveness Vulnerability to damage SensitivitySusceptibility Environment Capability to do damage Impact Organism LikelihoodConsequence

9. Risk assessment of organisms Invasiveness Vulnerability to damage SensitivitySusceptibility Environment Capability to do damage Impact Organism LikelihoodConsequence Risk Degree of invasion Degree of harm

10. Acknowledgements OGTR staff and members of the National Post-Border Weed Risk Management Forum Prof Lute Bos – Plant Viruses, unique and intriguing pathogens (1999)

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