PurPest Project meeting in Portugal

With great enthusiasm, we share highlights from the successful PurPest Project meeting, held in Portugal from June 11–13, 2025. Around 40 participants from over 12 countries gathered for a dynamic program that included technical sessions at the University of Évora, a field visit to a pine forest affected by the pinewood nematode in Tróia, and a tour of PALSER, a wood and pallet treatment facility in Palmela, compliant with ISPM-15. The meeting concluded at INIAV in Oeiras with presentations on dissemination activities, upcoming project goals, and closing remarks by project coordinator Andrea Ficke. This engaging event strengthened scientific and institutional ties and underscored PurPest’s active role in combating pests in Europe through the development of innovative detection technologies.