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Potatoes: A Vital Crop Supporting Europe's Economies and Food Supplies
Potatoes stand as a pivotal agricultural crop within Europe, supporting economies and food supplies. Nonetheless, the potato crop confronts significant vulnerability to a diverse array of pests and soil-borne pathogen diseases. The consequences of these threats can be severe, leading to substantial economic losses in the potato industry and causing food waste. In response to this critical situation, organizations like the European and Mediterranean Plant Protection Organization (EPPO) have set phytosanitary requirements for international trade, aimed at preventing the introduction and spread of quarantine pests with a focus on seed and ware potatoes. Despite these controls, the increasing forces of globalization, climate change, and economic factors pose a threat, potentially facilitating the entry of emerging or new potato pests into the EU.
