P-674 - Pest risk analyses and the new challenges related to the regulation of phytopathogens, access to information, and climate change.

Abstract Text: Pest risk analysis (PRA) units are responsible for identifying risks associated with imported plant products and establishing appropriate mitigation measures. Since its establishment in 2008, the Risk Assessment Technical Directorate of the Colombian Agricultural Institute (ICA) has evaluated pest risks for over 100 products from various origins. This extensive work has underscored the particular significance of phytopathogens, primarily due to their complex interactions and the dynamic challenges they present. These challenges include: nomenclature changes, driven by the discovery of new organisms; the advancements in understanding their biology; and climate change, which exacerbates disease emergence and leads to significant economic and social losses in vital crops. A substantial portion of phytopathogen distribution is attributed to the international movement of propagation material. Without regulation based on sound technical criteria to establish adequate measures, this movement can severely impact food security at both local and global levels. This situation prompts critical discussions: How can phytopathogens be effectively regulated when their taxonomy and potential impact, given their inherent complexity, are not yet clearly understood? How can research findings be made more accessible to National Plant Protection Organizations (NPPOs) to facilitate the establishment of phytosanitary regulations that provide an adequate level of protection? How can the impact of phytopathogen entry, establishment, and dispersion into new areas be accurately calculated?