Category: E

One of the international SPS standard-setting organizations that develops plant health standards, guidelines and recommendations (e.g., to prevent transfer of a plant disease or plant pest from one country to another). Its secretariat is in Paris, France. EPPO is one of the organizations within the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC), and it covers the countries…

The Munich, Germany based agency of the European Union (EU)—established in 1977—that is responsible for common patent protection matters for all of the (EU) member countries, plus the non-EU countries of Switzerland and Liechtenstein. The European Patent Office originally did not allow a “plant or animal breed” to be patented, whereas its American counterpart—the U.S.…

An international patent treaty signed in 1973, by which the countries of Europe agreed to recognize and honor the patents granted by each country, plus those patents granted by the European Patent Office (EPO). Plant varieties or animal breeds were initially excluded from patentability by the European Patent Convention. In 1997, the European Parliament removed…

A London-based agency of the European Union (EU) that began operation in 1 995. It coordinates drug licensing and safety matters throughout the nations of the EU. Its licensing/approval process is compulsory throughout the EU.  

Also known as pyralis. Latin name Ostrinia nubialis, it is an insect whose larvae eat and bore into the corn/maize plant (Zea mays L). In doing so, they can act as vectors (i.e., carriers) of the fungi known diS Aspergillusflavus (source of aflatoxin) or Fusarium moniliforme (source of fumonisin). ECB control can be effected via…

A cell carrying an exact multiple of the haploid chromosome number. For example, a diploid possesses twice the haploid number of chromosomes. An organism or cell having a chromosome number that is an exact multiple of the monoploid or haploid number, heteroploid.  

First formulated by Francis Galton, who was a contemporary of Gregor Mendel in the 1 9th century, eugenics is the concept that a species can be “improved” by encouraging reproduction of only those organisms in that species that possess “desired” traits. This belief became popular in a number of countries during the early 20th century.…

Also spelled eukaryote. A cell characterized by compartmentalization (by membranes) of its extensive internal structures; or an organism made up of such cells. For example, eucaryotes possess a distinct membrane-surrounded nucleus containing the DNA. Eucaryotic cells (e.g., human cells) are much larger and more complex than procaryotic cells (e.g., bacteria). The cells of all higher…

The microorganism (or other agent) that causes the disease.  

Chemical compounds in foods that are required for (consuming organism’s) life, growth, or tissue repair, and cannot be synthesized by that organism. Specific nutrients that cannot be synthesized by the body and must be obtained through food. Nutrients needed by the body that must be provided in the diet. There are species and age differences…