The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has released its Plant Health Horizon Scanning Newsletter – December 2024, detailing newly identified threats to plant health across the EU. These findings spotlight pathogens and pests that pose significant risks to agriculture and biodiversity.
Colletotrichum perseae: A New Anthracnose Threat
Who: First detection of Colletotrichum perseae in Türkiye.
What: Identified as the cause of anthracnose on avocados and other hosts, including bell peppers, grapes, and olives.
Where: Found in Mardin, southeastern Türkiye, expanding its known range from Israel and New Zealand.
Why: Its rapid spread raises concerns about its impact on avocado production in susceptible regions.
How: Symptoms include brown necrotic lesions on fruits; confirmed through morphological and molecular analyses.
Expanding Host Ranges and Geographies of Fungi
- Diaporthe goulteri: Newly reported on soybean in Germany, marking its first appearance in the EU.
- Fusarium asiaticum: Found causing leaf spot disease on blue honeysuckle in China.
Emerging Pests with Wider Implications
- Neopestalotiopsis rosae: A growing concern for strawberry growers, documented in Germany and several countries, including the USA and Taiwan.
- Popillia japonica: This invasive beetle, already present in Italy and Portugal, has been detected in Bavaria, Germany, potentially transported via trade.
Public Participation in Pest Surveillance
The newsletter also emphasises the vital role of public engagement in early pest detection, highlighting platforms like iNaturalist that aggregate citizen observations.
EFSA’s Proactive Monitoring Programme
The EFSA’s horizon scanning process involves advanced surveillance systems like MEDISYS, monitoring over 2,700 plant pests worldwide. This proactive approach ensures timely responses to emerging plant health threats, benefiting EU Member States and agricultural stakeholders.
