At the end of January, EURL staff was informed by the NRL in Cyprus about moth specimens identified as S. frugiperda after real-time PCR molecular analysis. These specimens had been trapped at Pissouri Village by an amateur entomologist and quickly delivered to the NRL. Two adult specimens were sent to ANSES and AGES for morphological and molecular confirmations that did not left any doubt: this priority quarantine pest crossed the Union borders. Spodoptera frugiperda worldwide spread has...

The Secretariat of the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) of the United Kingdom are proud to announce that the first International Plant Health Conference (IPHC) will take place from 21 to 23 September 2022 at the Queen Elizabeth II Centre in London, United Kingdom.  As one of the main legacies of the International Year of Plant Health 2020, the Conference was originally planned to take place in 2020 and...

The Entomology and Invasive Plants Unit of the ANSES Plant Health Laboratory, in collaboration with CIRAD, INRAe, French Ministery of Agriculture and the Royal Museum of Central Africa (Belgium) organised the 4th TEAM meeting (Tephritid workers of Europe, Africa and Middle-East) from 5 to 9 October at the Palais des Congrès in La Grande-Motte (France). Fruit flies (Tephritidae) are the pests with the biggest economic impact on the world production and trade of fruit and vegetables....

Less than one year to the 4th International TEAM (Tephritidae workers of Europe, Africa and Middle East) meeting, to be held from 4th to 8th October 2020, in La Grande-Motte, France. Four years after the last meeting in Stellenbosch (South Africa, 2016), this TEAM symposium renews the strong bonds between Europe, Africa and the Middle East, with the aims of bringing together academia, researchers, extension and industry specialists, who will present their latest scientific results and...

On 11th October 2019, the European Commission has published the list of regulated quarantine pests which are considered top priorities for EU Member States due to the economic, environmental and social impact on EU’s territory. The list is based on the impact assessments carried out by EFSA and the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre (JRC) on a number of pests identified by the Commission. Some of the criteria considered are the impact on crop yields, the damage to trade and...

For decades, invasions of alien species into a new territory have invariably altered the balance of natural ecosystems and have had serious repercussions on areas of economic and social importance. National Plant Health Services first goal is to prevent the introduction and spread on the EU territory of potential harmful species, putting in place official measures immediately after the discovery of the pest within their borders. Therefore, being able to rely on the competences of Laboratories...