EPPO Global Database

EPPO Reporting Service no. 02 - 2016 Num. article: 2016/049

New LIFE funded project on pest risk assessment for invasive plants


EPPO, in collaboration with the Panel on Invasive Alien Plants and the UK NERC Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, has received LIFE funding for a project titled ‘Mitigating the threat of invasive alien plants in the EU through pest risk analysis to support the EU Regulation 1145/2014’. The project, which started on 2016-02-01, will produce 16 pest risk assessments for high priority species which will, depending on the outcome of the PRA, ultimately lead to their regulation within the EU. The project is divided into three stages where the first stage will be to select the 16 species from a larger list of identified invasive alien plants. Experts from the EPPO Panel on Invasive Alien Plants will meet in March 2016 to prioritize the species based on their potential impacts, spread capacity and availability of scientific information for each species (amongst other criteria). Following the prioritization of the 16 species, stage 2 will see each species undergo a pest risk assessment (PRA) where international experts for each species will meet to review the scientific literature on each species and compile the dossier. Following the completion of the risk assessments, each PRA will undergo a peer review process which will constitute the third stage of the project. In addition to preparing the PRA, the project will produce datasheets for each species, a dedicated project website which will include key information. Training workshops on the EPPO Prioritization Process for invasive alien plants and PRA will be conducted as part of the project.



Sources

EPPO website: