Development of a system for awareness, early detection and notification of organisms harmful to plants in Belgium (BEWARE&NOTE) (BEWARE&NOTE)

ILVO, PCS and Natuurpunt have joined forces to set up a web platform for awareness, early detection and notification of 'alien' quarantine organisms harmful to plants in Belgium. The focus is on quarantine or Q organisms that are relatively easy to identify (insects) or whose damage symptoms (fungi, bacteria and viruses) are very typical and clearly recognisable. Since these organisms can cause great economic and ecological damage, it is of great importance that as many people as possible look out for these Q species. This includes not only nature volunteers, but also gardeners, students, scientists and professionals in agriculture, horticulture and forestry; in short: every citizen. 

A web platform was developed based on an analysis of existing warning systems from home and abroad. This system is integrated into the existing reporting platforms waarnemingen.be/observations.be. On this new platform, you can enter, consult or register reports of Q organisms in the alert system. It is also possible to be informed by e-mail when one of the quarantine organisms appears that has an impact on the plants you are interested in. Through this portal, you will also find identification sheets for the target species in 3 languages : NL, FR and EN. 

To publicize the platform's existence, we have organized courses for professionals and made online teaching materials available. 

Through this warning system, notifications of Q organisms quickly reach the competent authorities and managers of forest and nature areas, agricultural and horticultural plots and public green spaces. However, professional growers are obliged to contact the FASFC immediately if they suspect a quarantine organism (M.D. of 22/01/2004).

A notification via this warning system may lead to the enforcement of emergency measures, such as felling of trees or destruction of crops within a certain perimeter. Therefore, it is crucial that every report of a Q organism is verified for authenticity. Therefore, alerts are only sent after verification by experts and after approval by the competent authorities.

Visit https://waarnemingen.be/species/Q-organismen.