Q-bank, a database with information for identification of plant quarantine plant pest and diseases

This paper describes the database Q-bank (www.q-bank.eu). This freely accessible database contains data on plant pathogenic quarantine organisms to allow fast and reliable identification. Development of accurate identification tools for plant pests is vital to support European Plant Health Policies. Council Directive 2000 / 29 /EC lists approximately 300 entries representing a large number of species (e.g. non-European Tephritids contains approximately 3500 species) for which protective measures, against introduction and their spread within the European Community, need to be taken. The risk of introduction of pests into the European Union is increasing because of the increase in the volumes, commodity types and origins of trade, the introduction of new crops, the continued expansion of the EU, the numbers of international travellers and the impact of climate change. Identifying pests (in particular new emerging pests) requires staff with specialised skills in all disciplines (mycology, bacteriology etc.), which is only possible within large centralised laboratory facilities. Expertise in taxonomy, phytopathology and other fields in plant health, which are vital for sustaining sound public policy on phytosanitary issues, are under threat. Sharing knowledge on regulated and non-regulated pests is necessary to manage a cost-effective and efficient plant health system in the context of expanding globalisation of trade in plant materia