Workshop held in Madrid regarding the collection of experiences and expectations of interested parties

Abstract This report provides an overview of the first workshop held under the GP/EFSA/PLANTS/2023/02, titled “Support to urgent authorizations on Plant Health and Pesticides” project, which took place in Madrid, Spain. The objective of the workshop was to provide information on the objectives of the project and to present the outcomes of the preparatory work conducted by the implementation team to the representatives of various Member states. The meeting included an introductory session with inaugural speeches from EFSA and the project leader, followed by the main event comprising four breakout and one plenary session. All breakout groups covered the same topics, and participants exchanged views and provided valuable insights. The outcomes derived from these discussions was subsequently presented and deliberated in the plenary session. Key topics addressed during the workshop included sharing experiences related to existing protocols and expectations for future protocols, the evaluating criteria for effectiveness and feasibility of alternative control methods, as well as considerations pertinent to developing evaluation methodologies. It was noted that the emergency authorization process differs among Member States. Representatives shared their experiences on Article 4(7) Derogation protocol and EPPO Standard PP1/271, highlighting challenges encountered in their use. There was a consensus among Member States regarding the necessity for protocols on emergency authorisation that are user‐friendly, practical, and adaptable to local conditions. Furthermore, Member States expressed support for creating a decision‐making flowchart to facilitate emergency authorization processes and ensure uniform evaluations across all Member States.