An international community of experts and risk assessors gathered from various organizations worldwide to participate in a two-day workshop focused on horizon scanning for plant health. The European Commission’s Joint Research Centre (JRC), the European Plant Protection Organisation (EPPO), CABI, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, and more were among the participants. Experts from Africa, India, New Zealand, and academia also joined the workshop.
During the workshop, participants discussed general concepts of horizon scanning and shared their experiences with it in the context of biological invasions. Tools and methods related to horizon scanning were explored to enhance the understanding and implementation of this important practice in plant health.
The main objective of the workshop was to establish an international community of experts and risk assessors in order to facilitate knowledge sharing and the use of common tools for more effective horizon scanning efforts in plant health. This collaborative approach aimed to improve preparedness and response to emerging plant health risks globally.
EFSA received its first mandate for horizon scanning for plant health from the European Commission in 2016. Since then, EFSA has been working with the JRC and ANSES to systematically screen scientific literature and media sources to identify new, emerging, or recurring pests that could pose a threat to the EU territory. The findings are shared through a monthly newsletter published in the EFSA Journal and through the Horizon Scanning Dashboard, which is available online in an interactive format for easy access and dissemination. This information is crucial for enhancing the EU’s preparedness
