APPROVED VERSION – COMMITTEE OF THE MINISTERS OF TRADE - 17 July 2014 - SADC/CMT/26/2014/8.2 2. In conducting a risk assessment and in determining the sanitary or phytosanitary measure to be applied to achieve the appropriate level of protection, each Member State shall take into account: a) relevant scientific evidence; b) relevant risk assessment techniques and international organisations; methodologies developed by c) relevant processes and production methods; d) relevant inspection, sampling and testing methods; e) the prevalence of relevant diseases or pests, including the existence of pest-free or disease-free areas or areas of low pest or disease prevalence; f) relevant ecological and other environmental conditions; g) relevant treatments, such as quarantines; h) relevant economic factors such as the potential damage in terms of loss of production or sales in the event of entry, establishment or spread of a pest or disease; the costs of control or eradication in the territory of the importing member; and the relative cost-effectiveness of alternative approaches to limiting risks. 3. Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraphs 1 and 2 of this Article, where a Member State conducting a risk assessment determines that available relevant scientific evidence or other information is insufficient to complete the assessment, it may adopt a provisional sanitary or phytosanitary measure on the basis of available relevant information, including from international standardizing organizations and from sanitary or phytosanitary measures of other Member States. In such circumstances Member States shall seek to obtain the additional information necessary for a more objective assessment of risk and review the sanitary or phytosanitary measure accordingly within a reasonable period of time. 4. Where an exporting Member State is able to achieve the importing Member State’s appropriate level of protection through the phased application of a sanitary or phytosanitary measure, the importing Member State may, at the request of another Member State and in accordance with the provisions of this Annex, allow for such a phased application, or grant specified exceptions for limited periods from the measure, taking into account the requesting Member State’s export interests. Page 8 of 18