Hidden Danger – Travelling pests

Plant health is an important issue for all of us, as it is crucial for our agriculture, cultural landscape, food security, and economy.

Each year, up to 40% of food crops are lost due to pests and plant diseases (FAO). To raise awareness about the dangers that quarantine diseases and pests pose to agriculture, viticulture, and horticulture, the Ministry of Agriculture, Viticulture, and Rural Development supports an international awareness campaign and informs the public. Given the risk of spreading additional harmful organisms due to extensive global trade and climate change, it is of utmost importance to prevent the introduction of non-native pests into the EU territory.

The Plant Protection Service of the Administration of Technical Agricultural Services (ASTA) is the competent authority to prevent the introduction and spread of quarantine pests such as insects, nematodes, bacteria, fungi, viruses, and others. These organisms could impair biodiversity in our natural habitats and cause severe damage to agricultural crops, viticulture, and horticulture. The Plant Protection Service monitors the national territory and combats quarantine pests that have a potentially harmful effect on plants in an area where they are not yet present or widespread.

Protective measures are thus an important contribution to sustainable plant production, a diverse cultural landscape, the protection of native plants, and thereby the protection of the environment and residents in Luxembourg. Once pests and plant diseases have established themselves, it is difficult, if not impossible, to eradicate or contain them.

Practical Information

Dates and Times: June 5 – 15, 2025, from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM

Location: Science Hub – Pétrusse Valley

Admission: Free