Pests and diseases
Plant diseases and pests threaten agriculture and forests. The presence of quarantine organisms is therefore subject to mandatory reporting and control.
Quarantine organisms
Outbreaks of plant diseases and pests can have a massive impact on agriculture, horticulture, forests and local recreation areas. One such example is fire blight (Erwinia amylovora), which has caused considerable damage to fruit growing in Switzerland over the past 30 years. In recent years, outbreaks of the Asian longhorn beetle (Anoplophora glabripennis) have posed a particular threat to forests.
It is therefore important to take effective measures as quickly as possible to prevent these harmful organisms from entering Switzerland or to destroy them immediately if they are discovered here.
Quarantine organisms are plant diseases or pests of potential economic importance that are not present in Switzerland or are only present locally. They are subject to general mandatory reporting and control.
In order for a country to classify a harmful organism as a quarantine organism, a risk analysis must be carried out in accordance with international standards and specific criteria must be met. For example, feasible and effective measures must be available to prevent the introduction and spread of the organism and to mitigate the damage it causes.
In Switzerland, quarantine organisms are regulated in Annex 1 to the Ordinance of the EAER and DETEC on the Plant Health Ordinance (PHO-EAER-DETEC; SR 916.201) (de, fr, it).
Priority quarantine organisms
Quarantine organisms that are expected to cause the most damage and require the most urgent control are classified as priority quarantine organisms. In Switzerland, the following quarantine organisms must currently be treated as a priority in terms of information, monitoring and emergency planning:
Potential quarantine organisms
Potential quarantine organisms are organisms that are known to be particularly harmful, but it has not yet been determined whether they fulfil the criteria for a quarantine organism. Until this has been determined, they are treated similarly to quarantine organisms. Potential quarantine organisms and the temporary measures applicable to them are specified in the FOAG Ordinance on Phytosanitary Measures for Agriculture and Horticulture (PhyMO-FOAG; SR 916.202.1) and the FOEN Ordinance on Phytosanitary Measures for the Forest (PhyMO-FOEN; SR 916.202.2).
Mandatory reporting and control
If a quarantine organism is detected in Switzerland, every effort must be made to eradicate it and prevent it from spreading. For this reason, quarantine organisms are subject to mandatory reporting (Article 8 of the Plant Health Ordinance, PHO; SR 916.20) (de, fr, it).
Businesses authorised to issue plant passports must contact the Swiss Federal Plant Protection Service (SPPS; phyto@blw.admin.ch) as soon as possible if they suspect the presence of a harmful organism. Non-authorised businesses and private individuals must report any suspected cases to the relevant cantonal plant protection service or cantonal forest protection service.
Regulated non-quarantine organisms
Regulated non-quarantine organisms (RNQO) are pathogens or pests that are widespread in Switzerland. They are mainly spread via specific host plants intended for planting. Because they are widespread, they do not (or no longer) meet the criteria for a quarantine organism. However, as an infestation of these organisms would have unacceptable economic consequences, phytosanitary measures must be taken when handling their propagating material. Examples of RNQO include fire blight in pome fruits, the plum pox virus in stone fruits, red band needle blight in pines and apple proliferation disease.
Emergency planning
Outbreaks of quarantine organisms can usually be controlled efficiently – provided that the relevant authorities are well prepared for such an event and the control procedures are well coordinated in advance. New plant health legislation introduced new instruments for emergency planning starting in 2020. Contingency plans, action plans and simulation exercises will enable better preparation, training and coordination of the responses to such events in future. This will make it easier to prevent quarantine organisms from being introduced and spreading, thereby also preventing major damage to agriculture, horticulture and forests.
Frequently asked questions
Further information
Index
Related topics
Importing plants
If you are planning on importing plants or plant products such as fruit, seeds, cut flowers or wood into Switzerland from another country, you need to observe the applicable provisions. Imports carry the risk of spreading dangerous diseases and pests.
Exporting plants
Exporting plants or plant products such as fruit, seeds, cut flowers or wood from Switzerland to another country.
Trade in plants and plant material
Plants can be contaminated by dangerous diseases and pests, which is why there are regulations to be aware of when trading in plants.
Contact for questions
Swiss Federal Plant Protection Service SPPS
Schwarzenburgstrasse 165
Switzerland - 3003 Bern