A new report on 'Risks to Plant Health', released on Monday by EASAC, which represents the EU national science academies, recommends urgent coordinated action to avoid damage to food security and the environment

Potentially devastating plant pests and diseases are highlighted in the new EASAC report, which is aimed at Europe's policy-makers. In the detailed EU-wide study of emerging plant pests and diseases, EASAC described their combined threat to crops and forests and wider ecosystems, with implications for human health. In economic terms, as admitted by the EU Commission, billions of euros could be at stake and the environmental impact of some threats may be irreversible, according to the scientific advisory council.

Prof. Anne Glover, Chief Scientific Advisor to EU Commission President Barroso welcomed the report and promised to study the recommendations as a matter of urgency.

The European Commission has already acknowledged the problem by upgrading certain existing protective measures against plant pests and diseases. However, EASAC wants to see these accompanied by broader policy development and strategic action across:

• Improved surveillance systems - for example, new forms of monitoring, collection and sharing of standardised data, and extension of surveillance systems to natural habitats.
• Stronger research push - including fundamental research to understand mechanisms of disease and disease resistance.
• Innovative thinking – addressing the limitations of current crop protection chemical approaches, breeding improved crops and using sound science to inform regulation.

"Despite the scale of the problem highlighted in the "Risks to Plant Health" report, we firmly believe that science and technology can provide answers," said Professor Jos van der Meer, President of EASAC. "However, we need a coordinated approach. In particular, the report describes how research advances can bring new opportunities within reach regarding procedures for pest control and breeding improved plant varieties with resistance to biotic stresses."

EASAC also stressed that public awareness of the associated scientific, environmental, economic and strategic issues is crucial. "This awareness will inform future individual choices, national political debate and EU priority-setting. EASAC stands ready to continue playing its part in this debate," van der Meer added.