The EU project PRATIQUE outcomes for invasive alien plants
The EPPO Decision-support scheme (DSS) for Pest Risk Analysis (PRA) was largely revised by the PRATIQUE EU project, and these outcomes are described in 15 articles published in the Bulletin OEPP/EPPO Bulletin 42(1).
PRATIQUE revisions to the EPPO DSS increased transparency, user friendliness and consistency for PRAs on invasive alien plants. The applicability of this new scheme for invasive alien plants is illustrated with the examples of Polygonum perfoliatum (Polygonaceae, EPPO A2 List) and Eichhornia crassipes (Pontederiaceae, EPPO A2 List). Specific improvements in the EPPO Decision-support scheme for pest risk analysis for invasive alien plants have been outlined by comparing the risk analysis procedures with EPPO schemes before and after the project.
One of the numerous improvements to the scheme is the development of a new protocol to assess the current and potential environmental impacts of alien plants.
Sources
Steffen K, Schrader G, Starfinger U, Brunel S ; Sissons A (2012) Pest risk analysis and invasive alien plants: progress through PRATIQUE. Bulletin OEPP/EPPO Bulletin 42(1), 28–34. http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/10.1111/(ISSN)1365-2338
Kenis M, Bacher S, Baker RHA, Branquart E, Brunel S, Holt J, Hulme PE, MacLeod A, Pergl J, Petter F, Pyšek P, Schrader G, Sissons A, Starfinger U ; ;Schaffner U (2012) New protocols to assess the environmental impact of pests in the EPPO decision-support scheme for pest risk analysis. Bulletin OEPP/EPPO Bulletin 42(1), 21–27. http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/10.1111/(ISSN)1365-2338