The pest risk analysis (PRA) process is a technical tool used for identifying appropriate phytosanitary measures. The PRA process may be used for organisms not previously recognized as pests (such as plants, biological control agents or other beneficial organisms, living modified organisms), recognized pests, pathways and review of phytosanitary policy. The process consists of three stages: 1: Initiation; 2: Pest risk assessment; and 3: Pest risk management. The PRA process is initiated in Stage 1 with the identification of an organism or pathway that may be considered for pest risk assessment, or as part of the review of existing phytosanitary measures, in relation to a defined PRA area. The first step is to determine or confirm whether or not the organism considered is a pest. If no pests are identified, the analysis need not continue. The analysis of pests identified in Stage 1 continues to Stages 2 and 3. Information gathering, documentation and risk communication, as well as uncertainty and consistency, are issues common to all PRA stages.