HORIZON-CL6-2026-02-FARM2FORK-01 NAT-FUMICON – Natural Fumigation Solutions for Safe Containerized Trade

Global agri-food supply chains face increasing pressure from invasive plant pathogens, post-harvest spoilage, and tightened phytosanitary regulations, particularly along Africa–EU trade routes. Products such as cocoa, citrus fruits and horticultural crops are especially vulnerable during transport, where long transit times, high humidity and repeated handling create favourable conditions for pathogen persistence, fungal growth and contamination of logistics environments.

At the same time, the progressive restriction of hazardous chemical fumigants in the European Union has created an urgent need for effective, non-chemical alternatives that ensure plant health biosecurity while remaining compatible with food safety, worker protection and environmental sustainability, in line with the Farm to Fork Strategy.

This project aims to develop and validate an integrated, non-chemical systems approach for the prevention and control of invasive plant pathogens and post-harvest spoilage, with a specific focus on container-level interventions during international transport. The approach is based on natural fumigation solutions designed to replace conventional chemical fumigants in both empty and loaded containers.

The project targets two major risk categories. First, mechanically transmitted and highly persistent plant viruses, with particular attention to Tomato brown rugose fruit virus (ToBRFV), which poses a serious threat to EU horticulture and can survive for extended periods on surfaces, packaging and logistics materials. Second, invasive and post-harvest fungi, including Botrytis, Penicillium and Aspergillus species, responsible for significant food losses, quality degradation and, in some cases, mycotoxin contamination, notably in products such as cocoa and citrus originating from Africa.

The project adopts a systems approach, addressing multiple critical control points along the supply chain rather than relying on single-point interventions. Activities will include risk assessment of contamination pathways, development and optimisation of natural fumigation formulations, controlled-release strategies adapted to container environments, and validation through laboratory, semi-field and real-route container trials. Regulatory, biosecurity and operational perspectives will be integrated throughout to ensure feasibility and acceptance.

By delivering validated non-chemical solutions and a transferable systems framework, the project will contribute directly to EU plant health biosecurity, reduction of hazardous chemical use, and improved resilience and sustainability of food supply chains, fully aligning with the objectives of Horizon Europe Cluster 6 and the Farm to Fork Strategy.

Partnership Sought

To ensure scientific excellence, regulatory relevance and real-world impact, the consortium seeks the following types of partners:

Research Centres and Universities

• Research centres specialised in ToBRFV and plant virology, with expertise in virus persistence, transmission and inactivation on surfaces and packaging.

• Institutes specialised in invasive and post-harvest fungi, mycotoxins and non-chemical control strategies relevant to cocoa, citrus and horticultural products.

Port Authorities and Logistics Institutions

• Port authorities, terminal operators or phytosanitary inspection bodies involved in EU border controls and biosecurity implementation, interested in piloting container-level preventive measures.

Consumer and Civil Society Organisations

• Consumer associations or food safety organisations interested in:

  • Reduction of chemical residues,

  • Improved safety of imported food products,

  • Alignment with Farm to Fork sustainability objectives.

Exporting Companies (Citrus and Horticultural Products)

• Citrus exporters and horticultural producers/exporters operating on Africa–EU or Mediterranean–EU routes, willing to:

  • Participate in pilot trials,

  • Provide operational data and feedback,

  • Support validation of impacts on quality, losses and regulatory compliance.