Abstract

AbstractFood security is threatened by harmful pests whose impact may strongly differ among crops, agricultural practices and world regions. International movement of seed can be a pathway for pest dissemination into new geographic areas. The most damaging pests are regulated in some countries and/or regions of the world. Scientific evidence is crucial in taking such decisions. Seed testing is key in preventing movement of pests by seeds. It should target pests which have been selected based on defined scientific criteria. The International Seed Testing Association (ISTA) Reference Pest List summarizes scientific knowledge on the possible dissemination of pests through seeds in non‐vegetable plant species. Released as an evolving, free online tool, it currently contains 255 seed‐borne or seed‐contaminating pests in 11 plant species, including 126 host–pest combinations where seed is a pathway of spread (v7.0, Feb. 2021; https://www.seedtest.org/en/pest‐list‐tool‐_content‐‐‐1‐‐3477.html). The ISTA Reference Pest List should become a valuable source for risk assessors and policy makers.

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