On 4 June 2026, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) published a technical report titled 'Survey parameters to support detection survey design for Agrilus anxius', providing guidance for EU member states on designing surveys to detect the bronze birch borer (Agrilus anxius), a quarantine pest that threatens birch trees across Europe.
The report, produced by EFSA's Plant Health Panel, outlines key survey parameters such as optimal trap placement, lure composition, and sampling intensity to maximise the probability of early detection. It recommends using green prism traps baited with a specific pheromone blend, placed at a density of one trap per 10 hectares in high-risk areas. The guidance is non-binding but aims to harmonise surveillance efforts across the EU, as member states are required under EU plant health law to conduct annual surveys for quarantine pests.
Policy orientations and trade-offs
The report balances detection sensitivity against resource constraints. Higher trap densities increase detection probability but raise costs for national plant protection organisations. EFSA recommends a risk-based approach, prioritising areas with high host density and proximity to entry points such as ports and airports. The trade-off is between comprehensive coverage and practical feasibility, especially for smaller member states with limited budgets.
Impact on stakeholders
- National plant protection authorities: will need to adjust their survey designs, potentially increasing trap numbers and adopting new lures, which may require additional funding and training.
- Forestry and arboriculture sectors: early detection could reduce economic losses from outbreaks, but compliance with survey recommendations may increase operational costs for nurseries and tree care companies.
- EU producers of birch products: improved surveillance may protect trade by preventing pest spread, but stricter survey requirements could delay shipments if detections trigger quarantine measures.
- Environmental NGOs: benefit from enhanced protection of native birch ecosystems, though some may question the use of pheromone lures' ecological side effects.
Expected institutional follow-up
EFSA's report will feed into the European Commission's review of survey guidelines under Regulation (EU) 2019/2072. Member states are expected to incorporate the parameters into their national survey programmes by the 2027 growing season. The European Parliament's ENVI committee may request a briefing on implementation progress.