Are the Present European Phytosanitary Regulations in Forestry Satisfactory ?

The pathogens which present the greatest potential dangers to European and Mediterranean forest trees are mainly to be found in remote areas such as those parts of the American continent and East Asia where the climate and tree species are similar to those in Europe. In general, inspections are not sufficient to guarantee that a consignment is free from known, and especially from unknown, pathogens. Phytosanitary regulations should therefore be based on the prohibition of the importation of living plants (not seeds). The prohibition of the importation of all conifers (not seeds) from all countries outside Europe and the Mediterranean area is proposed. All European and Mediterranean countries should agree upon effective and co-ordinated phytosanitary regulations.