The evolving EU framework on phytosanitary measures FSR Online debate 3 March 2026 Wolfgang Reinert Unit G. 1 - Plant Health Health and Food Safety Directorate-General European Commission Need for phytosanitary measures Invasive alien
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The evolving EU framework on phytosanitary measures FSR Online debate – 3 March 2026 Wolfgang Reinert
Unit G. 1 - Plant Health
Health and Food Safety Directorate-General
European Commission<br>
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Need for phytosanitary measures Invasive alien pests are a serious threat to local agriculture and ecosystems in any country
Pest freedom of goods is therefore the backbone of international trade
Effective phytosanitary measures enable participation in trade where where a pest is present in a country
Respecting phytosanitary measures id of mutual interest, as there are organisms in any country which are quarantine pests elsewhere 2<br>
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Pest freedom EU legislation provides for different options to warrant freedom from pests:
Pest free country
Pest free area
Pest free production site
Pest free place of production
Effective systems approach
Effective (post harvest) treatment 3 Reference: Geographical unit
Pest absent during production of the good
Pest free status warranted by (official) surveys
Responsibility: competent authorities
Reference: Trade unit
Pest possibly present during production of the good
Pest free status warranted by accurate application of effective protocols
Responsibility: operators under control of authorities<br>
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Regulation (EU) 2019/2072 Regulation (EU) 2019/2072 lays down phytosanitary requirements per
Commodity (plants, parts of plants, other objects)
Country (Member States, Third Countries)
Regulated pest (Union Quarantine pest, regulated non-quarantine pest
In international trade, (post harvest) treatments apply to:
Growing medium,
Plants for planting, incl. seeds
Cut flowers
Fruits
Wood 4<br>
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Showcase: fruit flies (Tephritidae) in fruits Preconditions: treatment must be effective and details on the treatment must be made available
ISPM 28 “Phytosanitary treatments for regulated pests”
PTs 4, 5, 7, 8, 14 -18, 21, 24 – 37, 39, 41 and 42
Irradiation, cold treatment, vapour heat treatment
ISPM 46 “Commodity-specific standards for phytosanitary measures”
CS 1 “International movement of fresh Mangifera indica fruit 5<br>
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Systems approach vs. treatment Systems approach Combination of different measures
Takes place over a certain time span
Can be built up stepwise
A certain flexibility vis-à-vis failure of single elements
Complex to describe
Adaptation to local conditions may be necessary .
There are many reasons that could impair efficacy
Complex control; extensive documentation (Post harvest) Treatment Single measure
Occurs as an event
High cost for establishment
Requires reliable infrastructure .
Simple protocol
Protocols exist which may be used, only technical adaptations are necessary to achieve the objective (x°C/y min, z Gy)
Efficacy is easy to assure .
Easy to control and document<br>
