To mark the International Year of Plant Health, EFSA has launched a dedicated website highlighting the work it is doing with its partners to combat plant pests and protect Europe’s crops, parks and gardens.The website will be updated throughout the year with news and information on activities aimed at raising awareness about plant health in Europe and beyond, contributing to the efforts lead by the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) and the Food and Agriculture Organization...

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...