13th meeting of the Panel on Phytosanitary Inspections
The Hague, the Netherlands, 2025/11/20-21
The 13th meeting of the Panel on Phytosanitary Inspections took place at the offices of Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security and Nature, in the Hague from November 20th to 21st, 2025. The meeting was chaired by Mr Tanner (EPPO Scientific Officer) and supported by Ms McMullen (EPPO Managing Editor). Eight Panel members from eight EPPO countries attended the meeting.
The main tasks of the Panel are to consider all aspects of phytosanitary inspections procedures and provide guidance and information to EPPO member countries. The list of members and the Terms of Reference of the Panel are available on the EPPO website.
PM 3 Standards under revision/development
The Panel reviewed an update of the EPPO Standard PM 3/72 (2) Elements common to inspection of places of production, area-wide surveillance, inspection of consignments and lot identification and made some suggestions for improvement. The Panel agreed that the Standard should focus on inspection of places of production and consignments, with a proposed new title: General guidelines common to inspection of places of production and consignments. This Standard is intended to be used with pest or commodity specific PM 3 Standards. Further work will be carried out on the update with the aim to have a final draft ready for country consultation in 2026.
The Panel discussed an update of the EPPO Standard PM 3/73 (1) Consignment inspection of Fragaria plants for planting. The Panel agreed on a new title for the Standard: Compliance procedure for consignments of Fragaria plants for planting, as the guidance provides more information than on inspection alone. Further work will be carried out on the update with the aim to have a final draft ready for country consultation in 2026.
Development of new inspection Standards
The Panel discussed a draft inspection Standard entitled Compliance procedures for consignments of cut flowers. The Panel provided guidance on further development of the main text and discussed the species/taxa specific appendix which details associated pests, their symptoms and sampling and identification.
The Panel discussed the development of a Standard on Consignment inspection of woody plants for planting. Previously, the Panel agreed that the Standard will focus on deciduous woody plants and during the meeting agreed that the Standard should include plants for planting for both agriculture, forestry and ornamentals. The Panel discussed the priority species/taxa that should be included in the Standard and agreed to start with Acer and Ficus.
The Panel agreed to further develop these two Standards in 2026.
Dynamic appendices for PM3 Standards
The Panel agreed to form a sub-group to develop specifications for a pilot project for implementing a dynamic appendix on symptoms and sampling for EPPO PM 3 Standards. The idea is that pest specific information can be extracted directly from EPPO Global Database (EPPO GD), including information on categorization, symptoms, sampling and identification. The dynamic appendix will collate this information for all pests relevant to the commodity or host plant from EPPO GD and produce a link or document with the collated information.
Artificial intelligence
The Panel had a discussion on artificial intelligence (AI) and its current and potential use for phytosanitary inspections. Currently, the Panel did not have specific examples where AI is being used in inspection but they acknowledge the potential benefits this technology may have for the future. As the use of AI is increasingly rapidly, the Panel agreed to included it as an agenda item for each meeting of the Panel.
EPPO Strategic framework 2026-2030
The Panel was presented the new EPPO Strategic Framework 2026-2030 approved by EPPO Council (2025-09). The Panel brainstormed on possible activities for inclusion in the implementation plan.