Plant Health Newsletter
Horizon scanning for plant pests
EFSA's horizon scanning activities help identify plant pests and diseases that may pose a future threat to plant health in the European Union (EU). By monitoring emerging risks worldwide, we support EU decision-makers in responding promptly to both known regulated pests and new or emerging threats.
This work began in 2017 at the request of the European Commission to support implementation of the EU Plant Health Regulation.
To identify potential threats, we monitor scientific publications and media reports using the World Health Organization's EpidemicA widespread occurrence of an infectious disease in a community at a particular time Intelligence from Open Sources (EIOS) platform. We complement this information with results from PeMoScoring, a tool developed jointly with the French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety (ANSES).
PeMoScoring enables the assessment of pests for which limited information is available. Using 15 criteria, the tool helps characterise and rank potential risks, supporting decisions on whether further investigation is needed. In some cases, the results contribute to decisions by EU legislators on whether to request a more detailed EFSA assessment, known as a pestA living organism (e.g. an insect, rodent, weed, fungus or virus) that is harmful to plants and/or their products (e.g. seeds, fruits) categorisation.
The results of our horizon scanning activities are published in a monthly newsletter, available through the EFSA Journal. We also share updates through our Bluesky account and regularly present findings to the European Commission and Member States through meetings of the Standing Committee on Plants, Animals, Food and Feed (PAFF).
Horizon scanning dashboard
Our Plant Health Horizon Scanning Dashboard provides access to the results of EFSA's horizon scanning activities, including information on monitored pests, screening outcomes and trends over time. The dashboard is updated monthly following publication of the horizon scanning newsletter.
Pest categorisations following horizon scanning
The table below lists pests identified through EFSA's horizon scanning activities as potential threats to the EU and for which the European Commission subsequently requested a pest categorisation.
Ongoing and completed assessments
Follow our work
- Follow the most recent updates from the dashboard
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Expert group
Tuhoojariskinarvioinnin, kasvipatologian, epidemiologian ja ekologian asiantuntijat.