Webinar on the pests list preparation
Background
Pest lists are a fundamental component of plant health risk assessment and decision-making. They provide the basis for identifying and prioritising pests that may be associated with a given commodity, plant species, pathway, or production system. This supports a wide range of activities including commodity risk assessments, pest categorisation, surveillance planning, pathway analyses, and risk management decisions.
In commodity risk assessment, the preparation of a comprehensive and transparent pest list is often the first and most critical step. It enables risk assessors to systematically identify pests that could be associated with a commodity and to focus subsequent analyses on those organisms that are relevant to the assessment objectives. The quality of the pest list directly influences the robustness, consistency, and transparency of the overall assessment.
Beyond regulatory applications, pest lists are increasingly recognised as valuable tools for research, horizon scanning, and knowledge management. They help integrate information from diverse sources, reveal knowledge gaps, support prioritisation exercises, and facilitate collaboration among scientists, risk assessors, and plant health authorities. As new pests emerge and trade pathways evolve, the development of reliable and up-to-date pest lists becomes ever more important.
Objectives of the webinar
This webinar, based on EFSA experience in commodity risk assessment, will present the principles, methodologies, information sources, and practical considerations involved in the preparation of pest lists. Participants will learn how to conduct systematic pest searches, evaluate data quality and relevance, document decision-making processes, and ensure transparency and reproducibility. The webinar aims to support the harmonised preparation of pest lists and to strengthen their use across the broad range of activities undertaken in the plant health domain.
Who should attend?
This webinar is aimed at risk assessors, researchers, plant health professionals, National Plant Protection Organisations (NPPOs) and anyone involved in plant health assessments, surveillance or pest-related research. A further selection will ensure a sufficient representation of the various fields of expertise, as well as representation of stakeholder groups and geographical balance.
On-line registration
The registration form can be found at: https://events.efsa.europa.eu/event/ar/1113/webinar-on-the-pests-list-preparation-2026
Please note that registration may close once the maximum number of participants is reached or, at the latest, by 21 September 2026.
After registration submission, your participation will be automatically confirmed.
You will receive the link to attend the webinar after closure of registration, few days before the event.
Organisational details
The event will be held online on 29 September 2026 from 14:00 to 15:00 CEST. Further details will be communicated to selected participants. English will be the language of the event, and no translation will be provided.
Unauthorised recording, transmission or transcription of the event/meeting, including through the use of Artificial Intelligence tools, is not permitted. Participants are also expected to refrain from any conduct that may disrupt the proper running of the event/meeting, including the use of AI-generated or other content in a manner that interferes with the proceedings. Where such situations arise, the chairperson or organisers may take appropriate measures, such as restricting access to certain functionalities, or removing the participant from the event/meeting.
Contact
Do not hesitate to contact the organising committee at webinars [at] efsa.europa.eu (webinars[at]efsa[dot]europa[dot]eu) for more information.
Documents
Draft programme
Global Trade in Plants and Plant Products: Pathways for the Introduction of Alien Pests
- Assessing Plant Health Risks in Trade: The Role of Commodity Risk Assessment
- Sources of Information for Compiling Pest Lists Associated with a Plant Species
- The EFSA Methodology for Pest List Preparation
- Six Years of Experience with the EFSA Approach: Insights and Key Findings