by Dr Anastasia Kannavou | Policy expert at Green & Digital
The European Commission develops policies firmly rooted in robust scientific evidence. To achieve effective policymaking, the Commission focuses on three key areas: delivering tangible outcomes, leveraging scientific knowledge more effectively, and enhancing strategic capabilities and foresight. A crucial component of this approach is the Feedback to Policy mechanism, which ensures optimal utilisation of results and insights derived from research supported by the EU’s framework programme and beyond.
STELLA aligns with the Commission’s commitment to evidence-based policymaking by providing tangible outcomes and effectively leveraging scientific knowledge in the plant health sector. The project aims to develop a holistic digital system, the STELLA Pest Surveillance System (PSS), to aid in the early warning and detection of regulated pests. This digital system will leverage AI, IoT, proximal and remote sensing technologies to enable real-time monitoring and provide data-driven recommendations. Six real-life Use Case Pilots (UCPs) across Europe and New Zealand will test and validate the STELLA PSS, covering diverse crops and forestry ecosystems.
STELLA will also deliver evidence-based, actionable policy recommendations and a comprehensive policy roadmap to promote the implementation of digital technologies in plant health policies. These outputs will be based on data collected from the UCPs, policy analysis, and stakeholder consultations. During the project, a policy toolkit will be developed, featuring policy briefs and practice abstracts targeting policymakers, farmers, and advisors. This will ensure the practical application of research findings and support informed decision-making. Moreover, the project will engage stakeholders throughout its lifecycle, strengthening their capacity to adopt digital technologies for early detection, monitoring, and pest prevention through capacity-building workshops, surveys, and a dedicated online platform. This approach ensures that research activities align with stakeholder needs and priorities and that policy recommendations are well-informed and practical.
In a recent “Feedback to Policy Cluster Event” on Digitalisation for Farmers and Rural Communities, organised in Brussels by DG REA and DG AGRI, STELLA representatives – project manager Ioannis Zafeiriou and policy expert Anastasia Kannavou – had the opportunity to network with colleagues from STELLA’s sister projects CERBERUS and FORSAID. The event facilitated discussions on potential synergies, shared valuable insights on policy aspects related to plant health and digitalisation, and engaged participants in discussions on future policy recommendations.
During the Feedback to Policy Cluster Event, several barriers to the adoption of digital technologies in plant health were identified through discussions with stakeholders and sister projects. These barriers highlight the challenges that need to be addressed to fully integrate innovative solutions like STELLA’s Pest Surveillance System into current frameworks. Key barriers include:
- Policy Gaps: While recent amendments to the EU framework for plant health (Regulation (EU) 2016/2031) introduce important steps toward digitalisation, significant gaps remain. The framework does not yet fully incorporate specific provisions for leveraging advanced digital technologies for early pest detection, real-time pest tracking, or automated reporting systems. These gaps limit the opportunities for innovative solutions that projects like STELLA aim to develop. Strengthening synergies with institutions like the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) to better understand and address their needs will be crucial in overcoming these challenges.
- Data Standardization: The lack of standardised protocols for data sharing among Member States, hampers effective cross-border pest monitoring and response.
- Infrastructure limitations: Another important gap towards digitalisation in agriculture is that many rural regions lack reliable internet access, limiting competent authorities’ and farmers’ ability to adopt digital tools for plant health monitoring.
- Funding Gaps: Targeted funding and incentives are necessary to encourage the adoption of digital technologies in plant health management. Existing financial instruments may not adequately support the transition to digital solutions.
- Training and Skills Development: An insufficient focus on training programs to equip farmers and plant health professionals with the necessary digital skills will result in the adoption of digital technologies remaining limited.
- Stakeholder Engagement: Finally, the policymaking processes often overlook the input from farmers and local agricultural stakeholders who are crucial for implementing digital solutions effectively. Engaging these groups is essential for ensuring that policies meet practical needs on the ground.
However, it is important to highlight that the European Commission is making strides towards digitalisation in plant health regulation, following its commitment to rationalise the reporting obligations of Member States and professional operators based on its communication on the “Long-term competitiveness of the EU: Looking beyond 2030”. Moreover, οn 18 November 2024, the Council of the European Union adopted amendments to the current Plant Health Law (Regulation (EU) 2016/2031). These amendments introduced several key improvements to better protect plant health.
One of the major changes is the establishment of a Union plant health emergency team composed of specialised experts. This team can assist in addressing new pest outbreaks within the EU and provide urgent support to neighbouring non-EU countries to prevent harmful pests from entering EU territory. Additionally, the revised regulation reduces the administrative burden for competent authorities by extending the duration of multiannual survey programmes from five to seven years to five to ten years, while ensuring timely detection through regular updates based on phytosanitary needs. Lastly, the amendments further enhance digitalisation, cutting red tape for both professional operators and national authorities, streamlining processes, and fostering a more efficient and responsive regulatory framework.
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