EU‐project DROPSA: first achievements regarding pathway analyses for fruit pests

Abstract

The EU project ‘DROPSA’ started in 2014 and aims to improve plant health strategies in the fruit sector. The project is being conducted by an international consortium of 26 partners consisting of phytosanitary organizations, companies, research institutes and universities and will last 50 months. Results will be disseminated via conventional publications and will be brought together in the development of risk‐based strategies to prevent the introduction of new fruit pests. This article describes the task related to the preparation of alert lists of pests that may be introduced into Europe with the trade of fruit. Activities of this task include the investigation of pathways of introduction for fruit pests into Europe, the development of alert lists for selected fruit crops and a review of current legislation. A review of introductions, interceptions and outbreaks that occurred during the last 10–15 years was conducted and is summarized, showing the relevance of fruit trade for the international movement of pests. Work has started on the development of alert lists for selected pathways. In this context, important fruit crops (including Malus, Vaccinium, Vitis, Citrus) were selected.