Project: Analysis of plant pest risk

Risk analysis of quarantine pests associated with the importing of plants in accordance with International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures of the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) of the FAO, and training teams of analysts.

Because of the continued increase in world trade, coupled with improved means of transport, harmful organisms of quarantine significance are entering our country with increasing frequency that seriously jeopardize our crops and our environment. This is the case of significant pests recently introduced into Spain, such as the pine wood nematode (Bursaphelenchus xylophilus), the red palm weevil (Rhynchophorus ferrugineus), the tomato leafminer (Tuta absoluta) and the apple snail (Pomacea spp.).

Community legislation requires the Member States to prevent the introduction of new pests and the spread of organisms already present, such as those described above, to elsewhere in European Union territory. This is achieved by adopting phytosanitary measures that must be justified by a Pest Risk Analysis.

Since 2009, Tragsatec has collaborated in preparing more than 50 Pest Risk Analyses, such as the red palm weevil, the apple snail, the citrus HLB (Huan-longbing) and their means of delivery, the palm borer caterpillar and fruit flies. It has also collaborated in training teams of risk analysts at the national and international level.