“The CoNEF Project (National Coordination
for Phytosanitary Emergency):
a Network of Agronomists and Foresters Expert in Plant
Defense All Together to Form an " Emergency Agency " for
Phytosanitary Problems.
Enrico Antignati, dottore agronomo
Consiglio dell’Ordine Nazionale dei dottori Agronomi e dei dottori Forestali (C.O.N.A.F.)
Extra areal distribution
International trade development and increasing of
touristic flows led to the spread of many pests outside
their area of origin.
During last decades, in Europe and in Italy, we have
seen the introduction and diffusion of exotic pests, due
to favorable environmental conditions, especially due to
the absence of natural enemies.
Those kind of pests has generated a veritable explosion
causing a lot of economical and environmental
damages.
Examples: Anoplophora spp.
Their potential impact on urban areas was
estimated at approximately 96 million of euro
per/every major city in Europe (source EPPO).
Examples: Tuta absoluta
It was estimated that the introduction of Tuta
absoluta in many EPPO member countries has a
cost of between 1.4 and 3.4 billion Euros per
year (source EPPO).
Potential phytosanitary emergency
Are only examples of a phenomenon of larger dimensions that in
some cases assumes the contours of a real emergency
phytosanitary.
In Europe today 364 potentially harmful organisms are present (
bacteria, fungi, insects, mites, invasive alien plants, nematodes
and viruses). This organisms are included in Lists of pests
recommended for regulation as quarantine pests .
European and Mediterranean Plant
Protection Organization
In Europe the cooperation
in plant protection is
entrusted to Eppo
(European and
Mediterranean Plant
Protection Organization)
that act on the FAO
International Plant
Protection Convention.
Italian phytosanitary authority
In Italy, the protection against
introduction and spread of
organisms harmful to plants or
plant products, is entrusted to the
National Plant Protection Service
(SFN):
•Central Plant Protection Service,
which operates within the Ministry
of Agriculture and Forestry
•21 plant protection services of the
Italian Regions (SFR)
Vulnerability of Italy
Population dynamics
The infestations are characterized by an initial lag phase, in which
the expansion of the parasite / pathogen on the territory is
relatively slow, followed by a phase of explosion, in which the
rhythm of growth of colonization process is exponential.
It is imperative the continuous monitoring of the area in
order to make possible early detection of the first outbreaks of
infection, prior to their dissemination.
“The CoNEF project”
The National Council of Agronomists and Foresters of Italy
(CONAF), with the aim of providing practical help dealing with the
serious situation of pest risk in our country, started in 2012
“The CoNEF project”
(National Coordination for Phytosanitary Emergency)
CoNEF: what is it?
The Co.N.E.F. is a network of Agronomist and Forester
specialized in Phytoiatry that, during the activities of their usual
profession in the field of plant protection, in the forests,
nurseries, farms, urban, voluntarily make their skills and
competences available to the community….
……. an "Emergency Agency " against phytosanitary
emergency.
The main objectives of CoNEF (1)
• Support Services phytosanitary monitoring on the territory of
the presence of parasites / pathogens in order to prevent its
spread, promptly reporting attendance, pre-proposals and actions
to be taken.
• To provide its support to the creation of a Geographic
Information System contains information on the presence of
parasites / pathogens associated with emergency phytosanitary
measures, in order to have a tool for monitoring and evaluation of
the geographical distribution of emergency situations.
The main objectives of CoNEF (2)
• Providing collaboration on plant protection services for the
development and delivery of information activities, training
and communication.
•Facilitating exchange of ideas, experiences and knowledge
among the members of the Coordination, Plant Protection
Services and other actors involved in the phytoiatric defense
•Provide collaboration in plant protection services, public bodies
and private research institutions in the field phytoiatric for design,
application, analysis and evaluation of experimental
protocols designed to test the efficacy of different therapeutic
procedures..
Web portal
http://servizioconef.conaf.it.
Web portal areas
About us EmergenciesRegional
News and
events
in progresscontacts
Forum
Submit a
report
Submit a report
Last name/first name
email
Submit a
report
Reporting date
Site
Coordinates
Type of pest
Plant species affected
Plant organs affected
Attach images
Submit
Web portal
Georeferenced Map
In this way we can have a nearly real-time
mapping of reports on the presence of
phytosanitary emergencies in the country
Sustainable use of pesticides
CoNEF, as a means of prevention, is a tool for a
sustainable use of pesticides
Thanks for your attention