The disastrous results of the accidental introduction of exotic pest organisms into new environments have been documented on many occasions throughout the world. Surveillance and detection of Xylella fastidiosa (Xf) through the area of potential establishment in the EU are keys for early identification of further outbreaks and a prerequisite to effective containment and control of the bacterium and its vector.

Both Xf susceptible host mapping and the early detections of Xf infections, have the potential to greatly improve pest spread models, which will specifically address the need to “establish more effective mechanisms and tools for risk assessment and prevention.

The development of methodologies for rapid and sensitive bacterial detection is one of the main project task, whose outcomes will support field surveys and inspections at the point of entry, and that coupled with the use of remote sensing technologies for discovering Xf-associated symptoms at the early stage aims to provide efficient and innovative tools for prevention.