Quarantine pest

The status of an agricultural, medical or veterinary pest, which is absent from a country where it could establish a population and damage crops, humans and/or domestic animals. Such pests (like the Mediterranean fruit fly, Ceratitis capitata) are rigorously monitored on imported crops, plants or seeds by an agency empowered to do so in the country of arrival. Any suspect material is either destroyed or kept for inspection in quarantine for a predetermined period.