EFSA’s environmental risk assessment of the apple snail for the EU: a novel approach

In the context of a pest risk assessment, the potential consequences caused by a harmful organism needs to be estimated including the environmental consequences, besides the evaluation of other risk components. This publication describes a novel approach that was developed by the Panel on Plant Health (Panel) of the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and used to perform the environmental risk assessment for the apple snails for the EU. Apple snails are considered to be serious rice pests and can cause devastating effects on the flora and fauna of natural wetlands. In 2010 the Island apple snail, Pomacea maculata, started its invasion in the rice fields in the Ebro Delta in Spain where it is currently still spreading. Today, the snail is not only present in rice paddies but also in some nearby wetlands, and it has been found moving upwards along the Ebro riverbeds. In 2012, on the request of the European Commission, the EFSA Panel on Plant Health (Panel) evaluated a Spanish pest risk analysis on the apple snail (Spanish Ministry of Environment and Rural and Marine Affairs, 2011) and concluded that the risk posed by the apple snail to the natural environment was not sufficiently addressed and recommended that further study should be performed. Consequently the Panel was requested by EFSA to perform an environmental risk assessment on the apple snail for the EU. The snail population density was identified as the driver of the ecosystem change, and therefore the factor playing the major role in determining the impact of the snail on the environment. The Panel developed a population dynamics model to estimate the potential population densities of snail eggs, juveniles and adults, and to identify the potential snail hot spots in Europe. As a result maps were generated to represent the potential snail density distribution in the EU territory (EFSA PLH Panel, 2013). The environmental risk assessment procedure developed by the Panel and presented in its guidance document (EFSA Panel on Plant Health, 2011) was used to assess the negative impact of the snail invasion on the shallow freshwater areas containing macrophytes such as wetlands, shallow lakes, river deltas and the littoral zone of deeper lakes and rivers in Europe (EFSA PLH Panel, 2014). This work has been published in two scientific opinions by the EFSA Panel on Plant Health and the key aspectsfrom these scientific opinions are presented in this paper

Guidance on quantitative pest risk assessment

This Guidance describes a two-phase approach for a fit-for-purpose method for the assessment of plant pest risk in the territory of the EU. Phase one consists of pest categorisation to determine whether the pest has the characteristics of a quarantine pest or those of a regulated non-quarantine pest for the area of the EU. Phase two consists of pest risk assessment, which may be requested by the risk managers following the pest categorisation results. This Guidance provides a template for pest categorisation and describes in detail the use of modelling and expert knowledge elicitation to conduct a pest risk assessment. The Guidance provides support and a framework for assessors to provide quantitative estimates, together with associated uncertainties, regarding the entry, establishment, spread and impact of plant pests in the EU. The Guidance allows the effectiveness of risk reducing options (RROs) to be quantitatively assessed as an integral part of the assessment framework. A list of RROs is provided. A two-tiered approach is proposed for the use of expert knowledge elicitation and modelling. Depending on data and resources available and the needs of risk managers, pest entry, establishment, spread and impact steps may be assessed directly, using weight of evidence and quantitative expert judgement (first tier), or they may be elaborated in substeps using quantitative models (second tier). An example of an application of the first tier approach is provided. Guidance is provided on how to derive models of appropriate complexity to conduct a second tier assessment. Each assessment is operationalised using Monte Carlo simulations that can compare scenarios for relevant factors, e.g. with or without RROs. This document provides guidance on how to compare scenarios to draw conclusions on the magnitude of pest risks and the effectiveness of RROs and on how to communicate assessment results

Next generation sequencing of high-grade adult-type diffuse glioma in the Netherlands: interlaboratory variation in the primary diagnostic and recurrent setting

PURPOSE: Next generation sequencing (NGS) is an important tool used in clinical practice to obtain the required molecular information for accurate diagnostics of high-grade adult-type diffuse glioma (HGG). Since individual centers use either in-house produced or standardized panels, interlaboratory variation could play a role in the practice of HGG diagnosis and treatment. This study aimed to investigate the current practice in NGS application for both primary and recurrent HGG. METHODS: This nationwide Dutch survey used the expertise of (neuro)pathologists and clinical scientists in molecular pathology (CSMPs) by sending online questionnaires on clinical and technical aspects. Primary outcome was an overview of panel composition in the different centers for diagnostic practice of HGG. Secondary outcomes included practice for recurrent HGG and future perspectives. RESULTS: Out of twelve neuro-oncology centers, the survey was filled out by eleven (neuro)pathologists and seven CSMPs. The composition of the diagnostic NGS panels differed in each center with numbers of genes ranging from 12 to 523. Differences are more pronounced when tests are performed to find therapeutic targets in the case of recurrent disease: about half of the centers test for gene fusions (60%) and tumor mutational burden (40%). CONCLUSION: Current notable interlaboratory variations as illustrated in this study should be reduced in order to refine diagnostics and improve precision oncology. In-house developed tests, standardized panels and routine application of broad gene panels all have their own advantages and disadvantages. Future research would be of interest to study the clinical impact of variation in diagnostic approaches

EFSA Pest Survey toolkit - EC Working Group on Plant Health Surveillance - 17 February

Presentation of EFSA Pest Survey Toolkit for EC Working Group on Plant Health Surveillance on 17 February 2022.EU; en; PDF; [email protected]

The EFSA Pest Survey Card of Pine Wilt Nematode - IUFRO symposium on PWD 22 - 26 November 2021

Presentation of the EFSA Pest Survey Card of Pine Wilt Nematode (Bursaphelenchus xylophilus) to the IUFRO symposium on PWD held from 22 to 26 of November, 2021.EU; PDF; [email protected]

Concepts and tools for plant pest surveillance and sample size calculation - IYPH FAO webinar on Food System and Plant Health 29 June 2021

Presentation of the concepts and tools for plant pest surveillance and sample size calculation to the IYPH FAO webinar on Food System and Plant Health on 29 June 2021EU; PDF; [email protected]

EFSA activities on Pest Surveillance and Horizon Scanning - International Plant Health Conference (IPHC), London 2022

Presentation of EFSA activities on Pest Surveillance and Horizon Scanning for the International Plant Health Conference held in London from 21 to 23 September 2022.EU; en; PDF; [email protected]

EFSA activities on contingency and surveillance - COPHs 29-30 April

Presentation of the EFSA activities on contingency and surveillance to the Chief Officers Plant Health meeting on 29-30 April 2021.EU; PDF; [email protected]