Risks to Plant Health - Launch of EASAC Report 24

News & Academies' activities

On 10 March 2014 EASAC organised a public event to present its latest policy report "Risks to Plant Health: European Union priorities for tackling emerging plant pests and diseases". The new report highlights potentially devastating plant pests and diseases and recommends urgent coordinated action to avoid damage to food security and the environment.

In the detailed EU-wide study of emerging plant pests and diseases, EASAC describes their combined threat to crops and forests and wider ecosystems, with implications for human health. In economic terms, as admitted by the EU Commission, billions of euros could be at stake and the environmental impact may be irreversible. Professor Anne Glover, Chief Scientific Advisor to EU Commission President Barroso, welcomed the report and promised to study the recommendations as a matter of urgency.

The aim of the event was to discuss the recommendations with relevant policy makers and stakeholders.

The launch event was opened by Jos van der Meer, EASAC President, followed by an introduction to the Report by Professor Volker ter Meulen, Chair EASAC Biosciences Programme. Professor Joachim Schiemann, Head of the Institute for Biosafety in Plant Biotechnology, Julius-Kühn Institute, Germany and a member of the EASAC working group, then presented the main findings and recommendations of the report.

The presentations were followed by a reply by Anne Glover and a panel discussion featuring interventions from the following additional experts: Professor Maria Salomé Pais, University of Lisbon, and Paul Leonard, Board Member Rothampsted Research & Head of Innovation and Technology Policy, EU Government Relations BASF Group.

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