The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has published a report on the eighth webinar in its series on Group 2 long-horned beetles, focusing on Anoplophora chinensis, a priority pest for the EU. The webinar, held under a framework contract for technical and scientific support to EFSA's training courses on plant pest surveillance, provided an overview of the pest's characteristics and included a practical simulation using the RiPEST tool. The recording is available on EFSA's YouTube channel and the EU Academy.
The webinar is the fifth in a round of 20 on EU priority pests, promoted by EFSA in collaboration with academic experts to improve plant health crisis preparedness. The series covers various pests, including fruit flies and other long-horned beetles, with previous webinars addressing Anastrepha ludens, Bactrocera zonata, Bactrocera dorsalis, and Rhagoletis pomonella.
Impact on stakeholders
EU member states' plant health authorities benefit from updated surveillance techniques and crisis preparedness training, potentially improving early detection and response to A. chinensis outbreaks. The agricultural sector, particularly citrus and ornamental plant producers, could see reduced economic losses if surveillance improves. EFSA's training supports EU plant health regulations, reinforcing the bloc's biosecurity framework. However, the webinar's impact is limited to capacity building, with no direct regulatory or financial measures.
Expected follow-up
EFSA will continue the webinar series, covering remaining priority pests. The agency may update pest survey cards based on feedback from these sessions.
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