2454 final report.pdf - Agra CEAS Consulting

Evaluation of the Community Plant Health Regime: Final Report
DG SANCO Evaluation Framework Contract Lot 3 (Food Chain)
EUROPHYT has proved to be a useful tool for the exchange of information among MS on
interceptions of HOs. However, this mainly applies to imports, as there is no legal obligation
in place for systematic reporting of findings in plant material from other MS. It is
recommended therefore that the use of EUROPHYT for compulsory notification should be
extended from trade with third countries to intra-Community movements.
Another set of improvements is suggested in order to make the system more user-friendly
(e.g. improved search engines), to increase readability and usability of data for inspection
targeting (e.g. data elaboration) and to increase the usefulness for signalling upcoming threats
(e.g. modification of information required).
3.10.4 Communication and consultation
EQ15: How effective is the functioning of the CPHR as for communication and
consultation?
The effectiveness of the communication and consultation activities that are taking place in the
context of the implementation of the CPHR were analysed in terms of the extent to which
stakeholder and sectoral interests are taken into account, and the adequacy of communication
from MS and the Commission to stakeholders both within the EU and in third countries.
On a more general level, one of the clear outcomes of the evaluation is the low level of public
and political awareness in relation to plant health issues. In particular, it was noted that
limited resources are devoted both at national and EU level for plant health, which is related,
among others, to the low awareness and visibility of the policy among public.
Public awareness should be promoted among stakeholders, in order to improve early detection
of HOs and increase effectiveness of eradication campaigns. It should also be promoted
among the more general public, in order to increase understanding of ‖painful‖ plant health
eradication measures and to create responsible behaviour of the public towards introduction of
HOs and IAS. General public would be clearly more involved in relation to these HOs, whose
introduction and spread causes large economic impact due to their amenity value (e.g. the
case of Rhynchophorus ferrugineus in Spain and in various regions in Italy). This point also
touches upon the role of plant health provisions for public goods values.
These considerations were clearly made also during the conference of February 199 . In
particular, the importance of public awareness was highlighted and its influence in promoting
political awareness and political support. This in turn would help plant health authorities
competing successfully for resources and would facilitate the establishment of ‖difficult‖
legislation, while increasing the position of plant health versus other political considerations
and creating greater accountability of plant health authorities.
199 See presentation of Ralf Lopian: Management of Emerging Plant Health Threats
FCEC 188