The European and MediterraneanPlant Protection Organization

Synchytrium endobioticum workshop

Wageningen, 26 June 2019

Nico Horn (Director General) EPPO

The European and MediterraneanPlant Protection Organization

1. Introduction to EPPO

2. EPPO’s work on Synchytrium endobioticum

3. Introduction to Euphresco

4. Synchytrium endobioticum research in Euphresco

1951 EPPO Convention – 15 countries52 member countries Two Permanent Observers (EEC and EC)One of 10 RPPOs recognised under IPPC

• Intergovernmental organization• Supports National Plant Protection Organizations (NPPOs)

of member countries

• Cooperation and harmonization• Regional standards on Phytosanitary regulation and Plant

Protection Products

• Technical meetings of experts• International conferences• Sharing information and expertise through networks• Dissemination of information on plant health

The European and MediterraneanPlant Protection Organization

• Plant quarantine• Plant certification and Regulated Non-Quarantine Pests• Invasive alien plants• Biological control agents• Efficacy of plant protection products by:

• Drafting and adoption of regional technical standards• Input to development of international standards• Sharing information and expertise through networks

EPPO hosts Euphresco and the EU Minor Uses Co-ordination

Facility which have their own funding and governance

Remit

Phytosanitary Regulations

Global Phytosanitary Affairs

Phytosanitary Measures

Forestry

Potatoes

Inspection Procedures

Information

Diagnostics (General) +

Entomology

Nematodes

Bacteria

Fungi

Virology

Invasive Alien Plants

Biological Control Agents

Plant Protection Products

General Standards

Herbicides

Insecticides and Fungicides

Resistance

Harmonisation of Data

Requirements

Active Panels

EPPO’s work on Synchytrium endobioticum

• Diagnostic Protocol: PM 7/28 revised in 2017• Phytosanitary procedure: PM 3/59 revised in 2017

descheduling of previously infested plot

Criteria and requirements for descheduling

• National Regulatory Control Systems: PM 9/5 revised in 2017

Monitoring

Measures for containment, suppression, eradication

Delimiting an infested area

• Testing potato varieties to assess resistance to Synchytrium endobioticum (PM 3, under development)

• Organized workshop (Moscow, 2012)

All three standards published in EPPO Bulletin and

available on EPPO website: www.eppo.int

http://www.eppo.int/

Euphresco

• Threats are increasing,

resources are decreasing

• Different countries face

similar risks and problems

• Knowledge and expertise

scattered in different

countries

…

Global phytosanitary research

coordination

Membership beyond EPPO

2016

2019

Research collaboration

The research projects initiated through Euphresco are

small to medium‐sized projects commissioned to provideevidence on specific questions; the projects are not

necessarily intended to deliver break‐through scienceand innovation as is the case for EU Framework‐fundedprojects, but fall into the category of explorative and

applied science needed to support policy.

Research: what do you mean?

• Activities undertaken so far focussed on:

– Biology of pests (or vectors)

– Genetic/biochemical characterisation

– Diagnostics, field detection, surveillance

– Management

– Mapping, modelling

– Risk analysis

– Taxonomy

• Focus on regulated or emerging plant pests

Euphresco loves potatoes

Past projects on S. endobioticum

• Development of validated procedures for whole genome

amplification of DNA/RNA for quarantine plant pathogens and

pests (Q-AMP)

– Years: 2009-2010

– Total budget: 257 000 €

– Consortium: PRI (NL), PPS (GB), Fera (GB)

– Universal WGA procedures developed and validated for quarantine plant

pathogens and pests of importance for the EU, including Synchytrium

endobioticum

– Universal DNA storage procedures developed

– Universal DNA transportation procedures developed

– Confidential report

Some projects on S. endobioticum

• Development of pathotype-specific PCR tests for the

identification of Synchytrium endobioticum pathotype 1

(SENDO D1)

– Years: 2013-2014

– Total budget: 58 000 €

– Consortium: PPS (GB), PRI (NL)

– DNA extraction protocols for winterspores developed

– TaqMan real-time PCR to distinguish pathotype 1 from other pathotypes

developed

– Report ID: DOI/10.5281/zenodo.1326443

Topic currently under discussion

• Mt DNA characterisation of potato wart disease outbreaks

– Years: to start in 2020

– Total budget: to be committed

– Consortium: NVWA (NL), BPI (GR), BFSA (BL), VNIIKR (RU), CFIA (CA),

AGRSCI (DK), UWIMONA (JM), NAAS (UA), RIPB (GE)

– Topic content currently under discussion

It is still possible to join the consortium!