Participation in EFSA Meeting "7th Plant Pest Surveillance Network"

Organized by EFSA (European Food Safety Authority), the head of the Plant Health Department, Dr. Tamara Popović, attended the 7th meeting. During the two-day event, the importance of precise monitoring planning for priority pest organisms using statistical tools RiBESS+ and RiPEST was highlighted, enabling more efficient design of risk-based surveillance programs. Representatives from member states shared experiences in implementing surveillance programs, identifying risky locations, and managing pest occurrences, while participants exchanged knowledge through workshops and group work to improve planning of phytosanitary research. The second day featured presentations of results from several Horizon Europe projects focused on developing innovative technologies for pest monitoring, including remote sensing, smart traps, automatic pest recognition systems, and data integration from various sources for early detection and tracking of pest presence and spread. The meeting concluded with updates from EFSA and EPPO on enhancing surveillance systems, including developing regional standards, pest monitoring cards, improved research planning parameters, statistical tools, and horizontal risk scanning activities. Participation in this meeting contributed to strengthening expertise in planning and implementing quarantine pest surveillance programs and facilitated knowledge exchange among experts from EU member states and international organizations.