Tackling outbreaks of plant pests

Plant health is of global importance for agriculture, forestry, natural ecosystems, ecosystem services and biodiversity. Plant health is threatened by species injurious to plants and plant products, which present a greater risk of being introduced into the Union territory due to globalisation, trade and climate change. The current EU Plant Health legislative landscape helps protect the EU against the introduction of new plant pests as well as tackling existing plant pests more effectively. The prevention of entry and, if arrived within the EU territory, early detection and eradication are part of the plant health policies to avoid significant impacts in agriculture, forestry and environment by plant pests.

Proposals should target one or more plant pest(s)[[ A pest is defined here as any species, strain or biotype of plant, animal or pathogenic agent injurious to plants or plant products (EU legislation, Regulation 2016/2031)]] that are either Union quarantine plant pests[[ See part B of Annex II to Commission Implementing Regulation 2019/2072 for pests known to occur in the Union territory]] present in the EU or Union quarantine pests which are priority pests [[ See Annex to Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/1702 for priority pests.]] in the EU, and that are of concern for agriculture and/or forestry[[ Applicants are expected to explain and justify the choice.]], with the exception of plant pests targeted in Horizon Europe[[ Plant pests of the topic HORIZON-CL6-2021-FARM2FORK-01-04: Tackling outbreaks of plant pests]]. Research activities should improve methods for an effective implementation of the principles of integrated pest management (IPM), whilst reflecting the move towards innovative biological and other non-chemical control and resistance breeding.

Proposals should:

• Contribute to the understanding of the drivers of plant pest introduction, spread and establishment including the biology of the pest and its interaction with host plants and antagonists, the influence of climate change, ecosystem degradation, and globalisation;
• Develop efficient surveillance methods and strategies for early-detection and (bio)control of the pest(s);
• Extend the range of tools and technologies available for the development of economically and environmentally sound solutions for an effective pest prevention and outbreak management, and if relevant pursue in line with the principles of integrated pest management and taking into account the use of non-chemical or biological control methods;
• Analyse the social and economic implications for farmers, foresters and other economic operators affected by the outbreaks of the plant pest(s) and developing approaches whereby those affected can best cope with the situation;
• If relevant, analyse the ecological impact of plant pest(s) spread and establishment based on the experience obtained from existing outbreaks.

International cooperation with countries affected or threatened by the same pest(s) is strongly encouraged in particular to capitalise on existing knowledge. Proposals must implement the ‘multi-actor approach’ including a range of actors to ensure that knowledge and needs from various sectors such as research, plant health services, farming/forestry sectors, advisory services, and industry are brought together. Results of activities should benefit both conventional and organic farming.

Proposals should specify how they plan to collaborate with other proposals selected under this and other relevant topics[[ For example, HORIZON-CL6-2023-GOVERNANCE-01-16: Digital technologies supporting plant health early detection, territory surveillance and phytosanitary measures and HORIZON-CL6-2024-FARM2FORK-02-3-two-stage: Tools to increase the effectiveness of EU import controls for plant health]], for example by undertaking joint activities, workshops or common communication and dissemination activities. Proposals should allocate the necessary resources to cover these activities.

The possible participation of the JRC in the project will consist of supporting the analysis of social and economic implications for farmers, foresters and other economic operators affected by the plant pest(s) and developing approaches whereby those affected can best cope with the situation.

In this topic the integration of the gender dimension (sex and gender analysis) in research and innovation content is not a mandatory requirement.