S14 - Session P5 - Seed pathway for pest dissemination: ISTA Reference Pest List, a bibliographic resource in non-vegetable plant species

Authors: Nicolas Denance *, Valérie Grimault

Food security is threatened by harmful pests whose impact may strongly differ among crops, agricultural practices, and world regions. International movement of seed can be a pathway for pest dissemination into new geographic areas. The most threatening pests are regulated in some countries and/or regions of the world. Scientific evidence is crucial in taking such decisions. Seed testing is key in preventing movement of pests by seeds and should be conducted for detection of damaging pests identified based on defined scientific criteria. The ISTA Reference Pest List summarizes scientific knowledge on the possible dissemination through seeds of pests in non-vegetable plant species. Released as an evolving, free online tool, it currently contains 290 seed-borne or seed-escorting pests in 11 plant species, including 126 host n pest combinations where seed is a pathway of spread (v7.0, Feb. 2021; https://www.seedtest.org/en/pest-list-tool-_content---1--3477.html ). An additional set of 34 host s is under investigation, including 12 fruit and forest tree species whose revised list is almost ready for release. ISTA Reference Pest List may be a valuable source for risk assessors and policymakers.