Recommendations to policy makers from Euphresco projects
The following research project has recently been carried out in the framework of Euphresco (network for phytosanitary research coordination and funding - hosted by EPPO). A report presenting the main objectives and results of this project, as well as recommendations made to policy makers can be viewed on the Internet.
An International Plant Sentinel Network as an early-warning system; research on future pest threats (IPSN II)
Plant health legislation is heavily reliant upon lists of known damaging organisms and Pest Risk Analyses are used to determine the potential risk that organisms pose. A vital issue for risk analysts and National Plant Protection Organizations (NPPOs) is the ‘unknown’ threats and the lack of knowledge regarding those new and emerging threats. The International Plant Sentinel Network project provided the proof of concept that botanic gardens can help NPPOs. Botanic garden staff, if provided with the right training, can support the work of NPPOs by monitoring plants in collections of botanic gardens and arboreta. Pest surveillance and reporting have been integrated into the normal working practices of botanic gardens of the International Plant Sentinel Network. Monitoring plants growing outside their native regions provides a valuable opportunity to increase knowledge about new pest-host relationships, thus supporting Pest Risk Analysis. In addition, botanic gardens can help to raise awareness of the general public on plant health issues.
The work of the International Plant Sentinel Network will continue after the end of the project, coordinated by the Botanic Garden Conservation International (BGCI, GB).
Authors: O’Donnell, Katherine; Kiehn, Michael; Ronse, Anne; Rasovsky, Vladislav; Starfinger, Uwe; Gargani, Elisabetta; Simoni, Sauro; Hayden, Katherine; Kats, Lora; Hartzog, Heather; Moyelett, Heather; Vettraino, Anna Maria; Pons, Xavier; Fraser, Greg; Ravn, Hans Peter; Rumsey, Abigail; McNeill, Mark; Oliva, Jonas; Eschen, René.
Duration of the project: 2017-01-01 to 2020-03-03.
Link: https://zenodo.org/record/3908116#.XvSnLigzbIU
Sources
Euphresco (2020-06). https://www.euphresco.net/projects/