Institute for National and International Plant Health

See also thematic portal: Plant Health

As a consequence of the increasing globalisation in production and trade with plants and plant products and world-wide tourism the risk of the introduction and spread of plant pests has been enlarged considerably. These pests might cause significant economical and ecological impacts as soon as they have established under new environments.

For this reason it is our aim to prevent the introduction of quarantine pests (and invasive alien species) from infested areas or to take countermeasures after an unwanted introduction with the aim of elimination or limitation of an infestation. Also the protection of plants and propagating material against quality reducing pests belongs to our field of action. We operate on different levels to reach our aims:

• We are involved in the development of plant health measures and regulations on national and international level (norm setting). We advise and inform the Federal Ministry for Food, Agriculture and Consumer Protection (BMELV) in technical aspects to support political decisions and legislation in the field of plant quarantine and plant health quality.
  
  
• With own research work we establish essential data for political consulting and the development of regulations and standards.
  
  
• We conduct risk analyses via which the impact potential of an organism after a possible introduction can be determined and derive measures therefrom for the protection against this pest.
  
  
• On national level we have a coordination function in respect of plant health measures which are conducted by the Federal Laender.
  
  
• In the frame of the European early warning system we inform the appropriate authorities of the Member States and the EU-Commission on the occurrence of dangerous pests in Germany and warn against infested consignments which might be imported.

Work focus and research areas:

Coordination EU / Federal Government / Federal Laender

• Coordination of phytosanitary measures in Germany and information exchange with the Plant Protection Services of the Federal Laender, EU-Member States, the EU-Commission and the EPPO
  
  
• National coordination and contact point in Germany and in the EU in the field of plant quarantine according to Article 1.4 of Directive 2000/29/EC and plant health and quality aspects of EU-Standards on the marketing of planting material of fruit and ornamental plant species.
  
  
• Participation in control and survey programmes as well as further measures of the Federal Laender and the EC for the prevention of the introduction and spread of pests including diagnostic examinations and securing of reference functions (f. e. reference laboratory for Clavibacter, Ralstonia, wood nematodes, Anoplophora, Diabrotica) 

Phytosanitary Standards

• Development and advancement of national and international regulations, guidelines and standards on phytosanitary measures including co-operation in the appropriate committees (EC, EFSA, EPPO, IPPC)

Invasive alien species, Quarantine pests

• Examination of new and quarantine pests/invasive species as a scientific basis for plant health risk analyses and phytosanitary measures (phytosanitary research)
  
  
• Scientific research on the occurrence, identity, spread and establishment of new and quarantine pests/ invasive species and the pathways (f. e. quarantine bacteria and nematodes, Diabrotica, Ambrosia)
  
  
• Scientific work on the development of phytosanitary procedures for the prevention of introduction and spread of pests   

Risk analyses

• Development and evaluation of pest risk analyses on EC and international level; including activities in respect to the risks for other states in the course of exports of plants and plant products from Germany
  
  
• Identification and evaluation of phytosanitary risks including the analysis of, f. e. the commodity flow, the identity of the organisms, their potential for establishing and spreading, of possible impact and economic as well as ecological consequences also under the consideration of climate change
  
  
• Identification and evaluation of phytosanitary measures like prohibitions and restrictions of imports, trade and production as well as treatment procedures

Early warning system / Monitoring

• Contact point for early warnings on the occurrence of new and quarantine pests/invasive species as well as for infested consignments of goods and provider of relevant information and declaration of pest free areas