The evolving EU framework for phytosanitary measures

This webinar examined how evolving EU plant health and phytosanitary regulations can balance safety, trade, and sustainability, with a focus on innovative post-harvest treatments and their implications for international market access.

Watch the recording:

Effective plant health measures are essential to protect agriculture, biodiversity, and global food security while enabling safe international trade. Yet many food, plant, and human health regulations—such as SPS measures—though crucial for safety, create compliance costs, cause border rejections in case of non-compliance, and subject market access to the respect of conditions.

Their stringency and limited harmonization place burdens on exporters in developing countries, especially smallholders, thereby challenging market access.

Against this backdrop, the regulatory framework for plant health and phytosanitary treatments is evolving rapidly. This webinar examined upcoming EU developments, focusing on innovative, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly post-harvest treatments—such as heat, cold, irradiation, and controlled atmosphere—to prevent the spread of regulated pests. Experts from DG AGRI and DG SANTE, academics and businesses discussed future standards, compliance requirements, scientifically based protocols, and engagement with regulatory authorities and industry. The session provided a platform to explore how policy and regulation can balance safety, trade, and sustainability.

Programme

Introduction:

• Fabio Santeramo (Florence School of Regulation, EUI)

Speakers:

• Wolfgang Reinert (DG SANTE, European Commission)
• Dany Bylemans  (Pcfruit, KU Leuven)
• Emilia Lamonaca (University of Foggia)

Q&A Session:

• Darija Lemic (University of Zagreb, GREENER)