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EMPHASIS · Project

Smarter Pest Detection and Control Tools for Farms and Forests

foodTestedTRL 6
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Imagine your crops or forests are being attacked by bugs or diseases you've never seen before — species that hitched a ride from another continent. EMPHASIS built a toolkit to deal with exactly that: quick-test kits that identify pest species on the spot, pheromone-based traps that confuse insects without spraying chemicals, and early-warning sentinel plots that catch outbreaks before they spread. Think of it as a security system for agriculture — predict what's coming, detect it early, and stop it with targeted solutions instead of blanket pesticides.

By the numbers
24
consortium partners
10
countries in the consortium
20+
validated LAMP assay kits for species-level pest detection
3+
target pests covered by sentinel early-detection plots
10
SMEs in the consortium
32
total project deliverables
50%
industry ratio in consortium
The business problem

What needed solving

Invasive alien pests and diseases are causing billions in crop and forestry losses across Europe, and current detection methods are too slow — by the time lab results come back, an outbreak has already spread. At the same time, tightening EU regulations are restricting broad-spectrum pesticide use, leaving farmers and foresters with fewer options to fight pests. Companies need rapid field-level detection tools and targeted biological controls that actually comply with regulations.

The solution

What was built

The project delivered a pheromone puffer device for chemical-free insect pest management using semiochemicals, at least 20 validated LAMP assay kits for rapid species-level pest identification (beta-tested by end users and national plant protection organizations), and an early detector sentinel network deployed in arable fields, protected crops, and intensive horticultural production for at least 3 target pests including fungal pathogens. In total, 32 deliverables were produced across prediction, prevention, and protection workstreams.

Audience

Who needs this

Crop protection companies developing biological pest management alternativesForestry management operators facing invasive species threatsAgriTech manufacturers building field diagnostic equipmentNational plant protection organizations upgrading surveillance systemsLarge-scale greenhouse and horticultural producers needing IPM solutions
Business applications

Who can put this to work

Crop Protection & Agrochemicals
mid-size
Target: Companies developing biological or integrated pest management products

If you are a crop protection company looking for alternatives to broad-spectrum pesticides — this project developed a pheromone puffer device for semiochemical-based insect management and validated at least 20 LAMP assay kits for rapid species-level pest identification. These tools let you offer targeted, chemical-free pest control products that meet tightening EU pesticide regulations.

Forestry & Timber
enterprise
Target: Forestry management companies and national plant protection organizations

If you are a forestry operator dealing with alien invasive species threatening timber stocks — this project created an 'early detector' sentinel network tested across arable, protected crop, and horticultural environments for at least 3 target pests including fungal pathogens. This gives you a surveillance system that catches outbreaks before they destroy entire forest stands.

Diagnostic Equipment & AgriTech
SME
Target: Companies manufacturing field diagnostic kits for agriculture

If you are a diagnostics manufacturer wanting to enter the plant health market — EMPHASIS produced at least 20 validated LAMP assay kits that were beta-tested by partners and national plant protection organizations. These kits provide species-level detection in the field without lab equipment, opening a product line for rapid on-farm pest identification.

Frequently asked

Quick answers

What would it cost to license or adopt these pest detection kits?

The project does not publish specific pricing for the LAMP kits or pheromone puffer. Since at least 20 LAMP assay kits were beta-tested with end users and national plant protection organizations, licensing terms would need to be negotiated directly with the consortium partners who developed them.

Can these tools work at industrial scale across large farming operations?

The sentinel plot network was tested in arable fields, protected crop environments, and intensive horticultural production for at least 3 target pests. The LAMP kits were designed for field use and beta-tested by multiple partners across 10 countries, suggesting they are built for practical deployment rather than lab-only use.

Who owns the intellectual property for these tools?

IP is distributed across the 24-partner consortium led by Università degli Studi di Torino. With 12 industry partners and 10 SMEs in the consortium, commercial licensing arrangements likely exist. Specific IP terms would need to be discussed with individual tool developers.

Do these solutions comply with current EU pesticide and plant health regulations?

The project was explicitly designed to align with EU Directive 2000/29/EC on plant health, Directive 2009/128/EC on sustainable pesticide use, and the EU Biodiversity Strategy to 2020. The pheromone-based approach and biological detection tools support integrated pest management as required by EU regulation.

How long would it take to deploy these tools in our operations?

The project ended in February 2019, meaning the tools have had several years of post-project maturation. The LAMP kits were already beta-tested with end users during the project. Based on available project data, deployment timelines would depend on which specific tools you need and regulatory approvals in your country.

Can these tools integrate with our existing crop monitoring systems?

The early detector sentinel network was designed for multiple production environments — arable fields, protected crops, and intensive horticulture. The modular approach covering prediction, prevention, and protection suggests the tools can complement existing monitoring infrastructure rather than replace it entirely.

Consortium

Who built it

The EMPHASIS consortium is unusually strong for commercialization: 24 partners from 10 countries with a 50% industry ratio and 10 SMEs involved. This means half the consortium consists of companies that need to turn research into revenue. The 12 industry partners alongside 4 universities and 3 research organizations provide both scientific depth and commercial drive. Partners span Belgium, Canada, Czech Republic, Spain, France, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Netherlands, and the UK — covering major European agricultural markets. The coordinator is Università degli Studi di Torino in Italy, a strong agricultural research university. This consortium composition suggests that multiple commercialization pathways were built into the project from the start.

How to reach the team

Università degli Studi di Torino, Italy — reach out via their plant protection or agriculture department

Order a report on this consortiumSee UNIVERSITA DEGLI STUDI DI TORINO profile →
Next steps

Talk to the team behind this work.

Want to connect with the EMPHASIS team about licensing the LAMP kits or pheromone puffer technology? SciTransfer can arrange an introduction and help you evaluate the commercial fit for your operations.

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