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ViewAttendees 4

TECHNICAL SESSION: Disease Diagnostics

The role of European Reference Laboratories in plant health challenges: A focus on diagnostic and regulatory methods for plant-parasitic nematodes.

Sunday, August 3, 2025
2:30 PM - 2:45 PM HST
Location: Room 311

    Presenting Author(s)

  • MG

    Maira Grossi de Sa, PhD (she/her/hers)

    EURL Deputy Director
    EURL for Plant Parasitic Nematodes - ANSES
    Le Rheu, Bretagne, France

    • Author(s)

  • NV

    Nicole Viaene

    Deputy Director
    EURL for Plant Parasitic Nematodes - ILVO
    Merelbeke, Oost-Vlaanderen, Belgium

  • SG

    Sylvie Gamel

    Deputy Director
    French National Reference Laboratory - ANSES
    Le Rheu, Bretagne, France

  • ND

    Nicole Damme

    Project Leader
    EURL for Plant Parasitic Nematodes - ILVO
    Merelbeke, Oost-Vlaanderen, Belgium

  • DH

    David Hatcher

    Technician
    EURL for Plant Parasitic Nematodes - ANSES
    Le Rheu, Bretagne, France

  • NV

    Niels Vermassen

    Technician
    EURL for Plant Parasitic Nematodes - ILVO
    Merelbeke, Oost-Vlaanderen, Belgium

  • FM

    Françoise Munaut

    EURL for Plant Health desk officer
    European Commission, DG-SANTE
    Brussels, Brussels Hoofdstedelijk Gewest, Belgium

  • LF

    Laurent Folcher

    Director
    EURL for Plant Parasitic Nematodes - ANSES
    Le Rheu, Bretagne, France

Abstract Text: Increasing globalization of trade has significantly impacted plant health, leading to more risk of introduction and spread of plant pests and diseases, including plant-parasitic nematodes. Five European Reference Laboratories (EURLs) for Plant Health have been designated by the European Commission (EC) to provide high-level expertise in diagnostics and to support the EU in the detection and identification of regulated quarantine and emerging diseases. These EURLs contribute to safeguarding agricultural and natural ecosystems by improving and harmonizing diagnostic methods used for official controls to assist in the effective application of the EU plant health law (Regulation (EU) 2016/2031). In the EU, 39 nematode species are regulated as quarantine pests; examples are Meloidogyne enterolobii, Bursaphelenchus xylophilus, and Globodera pallida. A major role of the EURL for plant-parasitic nematodes is assisting National Reference Laboratories in applying high-quality diagnostic methods. By providing methodology, training and proficiency testing, the accuracy, consistency, and quality of laboratory testing of all EU member states has improved. Examples will be presented along with the EURL legal framework and reference activities. The EURL’s approaches and collaboration with plant health institutions and regulatory bodies support the EC’s implementation of new acts by harmonising diagnostic methods across the EU for the application of control programmes for plant health surveillance, thus contributing to early and focused interventions at EU borders and in its territory.