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EFSA updates Xylella host plant database
Source: EFSA. EFSA has released an update of its Xylella species host plant database, which tracks plant species affected by the plant pathogen Xylella fastidiosa. The latest update, covering research published between January and June 2024, includes data from 27 scientific publications and recent outbreak notifications.
Key findings:
- A new host plant was identified: the Cantabrian mountain oak (Quercus orocantabrica) was naturally infected in Portugal.
- For the first time, natural infections of the Pierce’s disease strain – a strain of Xylella fastidiosa that causes disease in vineyards in North America – have been found in grapes, almonds and other plants in Italy’s Apulia region.
- The total number of confirmed host species has increased to 452 species (from 70 different botanical families) when using the most stringent detection methods.
- No new sequence types (STs) of Xylella were identified worldwide.
Background
Xylella fastidiosa is a bacterial pathogen that causes severe diseases in a wide range of plants, including olive trees, citrus fruits, grapevines and various ornamental plants. EFSA developed the Xylella spp. host plant database following a request from the European Commission to support risk assessment and management efforts to control Xylella fastidiosa. The database, which has been continuously updated since 2016, serves as an important resource for policy makers, researchers, and plant health authorities.
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This week, the EUDA hosted the Belgian National Drug Commissioner, Ine Van Wymersch, during her two-day visit to Lisbon. Ms Van Wymersch was accompanied by Deputy Commissioner Fabien Gerard and other members of the Belgian National Drug Commission.
During the visit, on 3 June, the delegation received an in-depth overview of the agency’s work. EUDA Executive Director Alexis Goosdeel presented the agency’s new mandate and its current state of implementation. EUDA experts followed, with briefings on key areas of the agency’s activity, including drug markets, crime and precursors, prison-related…
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Building Better Government Software at Scale – Agile, DevSecOps and Software Factories
The next edition of the Industry Roundtable, titled ‘Building Better Government Software at Scale – Agile, DevSecOps and Software Factories’, will take place on 11-12 June 2025 in Warsaw, Poland, under the patronage of the Polish Presidency of the Council of the EU. The event will be organised in a hybrid format allowing for in-person and online participation. This iteration will focus on the benefits that new technology trends such as Software Factories – built upon the principles of Agile approaches and DevSecOps methodologies – can bring to the EU public sector organisations (both at MS and EU levels). The event will also feature presentations and discussions on new technological solutions that can help to achieve those benefits while addressing some of the pending challenges.
EU institutions are increasingly relying on digital solutions, which are often complex and require significant investment in IT and software development. To meet the fast pace of delivery, public sector authorities are adopting cutting-edge methodologies like Agile, DevSecOps, and Software Factories, as well as technologies such as cloud computing, automation, and AI.
Registrations for the eu-LISA Industry Roundtable are now closed.
Agile methodologies
Agile methodologies provide a structured yet flexible approach to managing complex IT projects, enabling institutions to deliver services and applications faster while adapting to evolving needs. Agile allows public institutions to prioritise user-centric development, iteratively improving systems to meet high standards of accessibility and inclusivity. Furthermore, Agile fosters collaboration across departments, breaking down silos and ensuring that IT projects align with broader organizational goals. For EU institutions managing diverse and cross-border initiatives, this collaborative and adaptive framework is essential for driving cohesion and innovation.
DevSecOps
DevSecOps integrates software development and IT operations and further strengthens security and data protection by design, integrating security and data protection into every phase of the software development lifecycle, a critical need in today’s heightened cybersecurity landscape. As EU public sector institutions handle vast amounts of sensitive data, embedding security and data protection by design, reduces vulnerabilities and enhances compliance with regulations like the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), EUDPR, Regulation for Cybersecurity of EU Institutions or the NIS2 Directive.
Software Factories
Coupled with the concept of Software Factories — highly automated environments for rapid and scalable software development — these methodologies provide EU institutions with the ability to respond swiftly to new legislative mandates, security threats, or societal challenges. The Software Factory approach is also a powerful tool that can be used by public institutions to become more independent in their software design and development, and less reliant on outsourcing to external contractors for the fulfilment of IT projects. The increased level of IT self-sufficiency and technical ownership brought by the implementation of Software Factories can be key to improve performance in areas such as:
- Improved control over the products and systems offered which, in turn, will result in faster and more economically efficient ways to adapt such services to changing demands and regulations,
- Better management and more efficient use of resources (both human and financial),
- Lowering of potential risks related to guaranteeing long-term services (e.g., vendor lock-in situations, market discontinuity of products), and
- Shorter time-to-market.
Together, Agile, DevSecOps, and Software Factories, combined as well with other innovative IT practices such as cloud computing or AI-based tools, empower public institutions to build secure, efficient, and citizen-focused digital ecosystems while fostering trust and resilience across the Union.
About the Industry Roundtable
The eu-LISA Industry Roundtable is a collaborative platform that convenes representatives from the industry, Member States’ authorities, and EU institutions to facilitate an open dialogue on the latest technological advancements and innovations in the migration and home affairs domain. This forum enables eu-LISA stakeholders to share knowledge, exchange best practices, and discuss the potential applications and implications of emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence, biometrics, and data analytics, in supporting the Agency’s mission to manage EU’s large-scale IT systems for migration, asylum, and border management. By fostering a spirit of cooperation and information-sharing, the eu-LISA Industry Roundtable helps to identify opportunities, address challenges, and shape the future of technology-enabled solutions in the field of migration and home affairs.
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Politics
Joint Statement by EU High Representative Kaja Kallas and Chile’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Alberto van Klaveren on the provisional application of the EU-Chile Advanced Framework Agreement
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