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Food Safety

Plant pests outbreaks in the EU

All EU countries are required to notify the European Commission and other EU countries of the presence of plant pests on their territory, and the measures taken to eradicate or control the spread (Articles 11(a)(b), 29(3) and 33(1)(8) of the Regulation (EU) 2016/2031).

The European Commission analyses these reports and routinely discusses them internally and with the EU Member States. Based on the reports:

  • If necessary, the EU country concerned can apply for financial support in controlling the plant pests.
  • In certain cases, emergency measures are adopted at EU level to strengthen the requirements for control.
  • The information is used in deciding where audits by the Commission's Health and Food Audits and Analysis office take place.

The type and extent of information provided by the EU countries, as well as a follow up reporting are different from one country to another. 

The Commission, with Member States, has developed a web based notification system, EUROPHYT-Outbreaks, to improve MS reporting and facilitate an enhanced level of protection of the EU against plant pests outbreaks. Criteria for notification are detailed in the Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/1715.

Annual reports on plant pest outbreaks in EU are available on the following links:

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