The ‘non-EU trade alert list’: a new tool to protect the EU territory against the introduction of plant pests from third countries
The first version of the ‘non-EU trade alert list’ has been published on the European Commission website. This alert list results from a detailed analysis of the interceptions that have been made by EU Member States and Switzerland on plants and plant products imported from third countries. These interceptions have been notified via EUROPHYT, a computerized notification system, during a one-year period (from 2013-11-01 to 2014-10-31). This list shows the main pathways (commodity/exporting country combinations) on which plant pests have repeatedly been intercepted. The criteria that have been used to generate the alert list are presented in detail on the EU Commission website.
The aim of the ‘non-EU trade alert list’ is to draw the attention of the relevant plant health authorities and other stakeholders to the risks presented by certain pathways so that these risks can be addressed. The repeated findings of the same pests from the same origins may trigger the implementation of additional EU phytosanitary measures with the aim of protecting the EU territory against those pests. The ‘non-EU trade alert list’ will be updated monthly.
Sources
European Commission. Health and consumers. Plants. Non-EU trade alert list. http://ec.europa.eu/food/plant/plant_health_biosafety/alert_list_trade_non_eu/index_en.htm