Xylella fastidiosa: knowledge gaps and research priorities for the EU
Experts from the European Union and beyond will meet in November to propose and discuss research initiatives that are needed to further scientific understanding of the Xylella fastidiosa bacterium and find solutions for its control.
EFSA published a risk assessment earlier this year that highlighted the urgent need for new information on the biology and epidemiology of the pathogen, particularly the range of host plants and vectors. Filling these knowledge gaps is essential to better assess the risk that X. fastidiosa poses to European agriculture, EFSA said in its assessment.
This workshop – to be held in Brussels on 12-13 November – will be hosted by EFSA in collaboration with the European Commission’s Directorates-General for Research and Innovation, Agriculture and Rural Development, and Health and Food Safety.
The main objectives of this workshop are to analyse and discuss the uncertainties and knowledge gaps identified in EFSA’s Scientific Opinion and in the conclusions of the workshop on “X. fastidiosa: options for its control” held by the Directorate-General for Research & Innovation in Milan in July 2015, and to propose priorities for future research on X. fastidiosa in the EU.
Scientists with expertise in the area of X. fastidiosa are invited to attend.
Discussions – led by experts from Europe and North and South America – will focus on four main themes: surveillance and detection; vectors; host plants; and the pathogen.
Registration is open until 15 October 2015.
For more information: http://www.efsa.europa.eu/en/events/event/151112a
Keywords
Xylella; research; EFSA; DG SANTE; Plant health; Plant protection; Entomology; Plant pathology