Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: This document presents the European and Mediterranean Plant Protection Organization (EPPO) StrategicFramework for the period 2026-2030, outlining the Organization's mission, vision, and strategic objectives.Building upon the foundation of the EPPO Strategic Framework and Work Plan 2021-2025, this framework reinforces the EPPO's core mandate while adapting to evolving challenges and the limited availability of resources.EPPO is committed to responsible and transparent financial management, ensuring the efficient allocation of resources to achieve its strategic objectives.Upholding the highest standards of governance, EPPO fosters accountability and stakeholder trust in its operations.Recognising the potential of new technologies, including Artificial Intelligence, to enhance its operations, EPPO is committed to the responsible and ethical use of AI technologies.EPPO will employ a rigorous validation process for all AI-driven outputs, ensuring the involvement of expert groups in both the design and review phases to minimize errors and biases and to ensure the accuracy and reliability of information used for decision-making. Key Areas of Continuity include:• A consistent focus on protecting plant health, preventing pest introduction and spread, harmonizing phytosanitary measures, and guiding plant protection product efficacy evaluation.• Essential activities such as pest risk analysis, Standard-setting, including Standards dedicated to diagnostics, and management and development of the EPPO Global Database.• Collaborative partnerships with member countries, the European Commission, the Eurasian Economic Commission, other RPPOs, and international organizations.• A strong reliance on scientific evidence and expert knowledge.The Strategic Framework 2026-2030 also introduces key Areas of Evolution:• A more focused approach, emphasizing core capabilities and resource efficiency.• Increased emphasis on regional preparedness for emerging pest threats, including the development of a harmonized framework for regulated non-quarantine pests (RNQPs).• Stronger focus on sustainable plant protection, integrating plant protection products and biological control strategies.• Enhanced data resource management, streamlining core databases.• Alignment of external project involvements with the focus on EPPO core activities.A separate, phased implementation plan will be developed throughout 2026 for the effective implementation of the Strategic Framework, allowing for regular reassessment and adaptation throughout the 2026-2030 period. | Te r m i nolog yThis document uses terms in accordance with the EPPO Convention and the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) to ensure clarity and consistency.The 'One Health' approach, relevant in specific areas of the Strategic Objectives outlined below, is defined by the WHO One Health High Level Expert Panel as: 'an integrated, unifying approach that aims to sustainably balance and optimize the health of people, animals and ecosystems.It recognizes the health of humans, domestic and wild animals, plants, and the wider environment (including ecosystems) are closely linked and inter-dependent.'For clarity, the following concepts relating to plant health and plant protection are used in this document:• Plant Health -the condition of plants being free (or practically free) from pests, allowing them to grow and function optimally, achieved through phytosanitary measures or quality assurance.Plant Health is a key factor for sustainable agriculture, horticulture, forestry, as well as maintaining biodiversity.• Plant Protection -the strategies and practices used for the regulation, prevention, and control of pests to safeguard and enhance plant health.This includes the evaluation and authorization of plant protection
Source: EPPO Bulletin
DOI: 10.1111/epp.70039
Language: English
Subfield: Food Science
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: bronze
OpenAlex ID: W4417429492
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