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Content archived on 2024-06-16

FOOD AND CROP BIOSECURITY ALSO AS A MEAN TO PREVENT AND TO BE PREPARED FOR BIOTERRORISM

Objective

This Co-ordination Action (CA) addresses the threat of plant pathogens as weapons against crops. Agriculture and agro-industry accounts for about 12% of European Union annual gross product. The deliberate introduction of a pathogen could cause an economically disastrous disease outbreak, resulting in reductions in yield and quality, high cost disease management over the short and long term, trade disruptions and trade embargoes if certain quarantined pathogens are introduced, lost markets, higher food prices and unavailability of certain foods. The main objectives of this CA are: 1) to assess the risk posed to European agriculture by new pathogens/races/biotypes emerging or introduced also throughout agro-terrorist attacks; 2) to prevent the damage caused to crops by the introduction (deliberate and accidental ) of new pathogens/races/biotypes; 3) to eradicate and contain plant pathogens of new introduction. The project will permit to a) establish a network of laboratories able to provide the tools for a quick diagnosis of new pathogens/races/biotypes and to study their biology and epidemiology; b) prepare a list of pathogens which can be considered at high-risk for European crops as well as a list of the most vulnerable crops; 4) propose a risk assessment methodology for epidemics emergence after incidental events; 5) provide effective tools, such as protocols, for inspectors for quarantine and phytosanitary controls; 6) enhance surveillance capacity already in place and develop improved surveillance models and early warning surveillance systems; 7) individuate fields and areas where more research is needed and suggest future investments needs; 8) raise attention to the issues of crop biosecurity and crop bioterrorism, in order to develop preparedness in Europe.This CA project provides timely scientific inputs in order to be able to take into account the threat posed to European agriculture by agroterrorism...

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Call for proposal

FP6-2003-SSP-3
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Coordinator

UNIVERSITA' DEGLI STUDI DI TORINO
EU contribution
No data
Total cost
No data

Participants (7)