quarantine pests
According to Regulation (EU) 2016/2031, a pest is a ‘quarantine pest’, with respect to a defined territory, if it fulfils all of the following conditions:
- (a) its identity is established;
- (b) it is not present in the territory or, if present, is not widely distributed within that territory;
- (c) it is capable of entering into, becoming established in and spreading within the territory, or, if present in the territory, but not widely distributed, is capable of entering into, becoming established in and spreading within those parts of that territory where it is absent;
- (d) its entry, establishment and spread would have an unacceptable economic, environmental or social impact on that territory, or, if present but not widely distributed, for those parts of the territory where it is absent; and
- (e) feasible and effective measures are available to prevent the entry into, establishment in or spread of that pest within, that territory and to mitigate the risks and impact thereof.
In food safety and plant health, quarantine pests are harmful organisms—such as insects, fungi, or bacteria—that are not yet widely present in the EU or are under strict control, because they could cause serious damage to plants, crops, or the environment if they spread. They are subject to official measures to prevent their introduction and limit their spread.
EFSA assesses the risks posed by these pests to plants and the food chain. Its Plant Health Panel evaluates how likely a pest is to enter, establish, and spread in the EU, and what economic or environmental damage it could cause, providing scientific advice to help policymakers decide on quarantine measures and prioritise risk management actions.