A 50% EU funded project to seek alternatives to Methyl Bromide should be reaching its final conclusions at the Central Science Laboratories in England.  The project aims are to provide a range of post-harvest plant quarantine treatments for timber and horticultural products in general to prevent the spread of non indigenous pests and diseases in and around Europe. Amongst the insects being looked at are: Liromyza huidobrensis, Bemisia tabaci, Thrips palmi, Frankliniella occidentalis, Meloidogyne spp. and Pratylenchus spp. Alternative treatments being evaluated are: heat treatment, composting, extreme controlled atmosphere (increased CO2/reduced O2) and alternative fumigants. With regard to ornamentals, hot water dipping (flowers of Chrysanthemum, roses, and Anthurium, Yucca stems, Chrysanthemum and rose cuttings) were evaluated along with extreme controlled atmosphere and alternative chemicals. The chemical Phosphine already widely used in Europe gave good control over both larvae and adults of Bemisia on Poinsettia and Chrysanthemum crops in 8 hours without phytotoxicity.  Where effective treatments are developed they will be submitted to appropriate international organizations such as the European and Mediterranean Plant Protection Organization (EPPO) for adoption.  www.csl.gov.uk, E-mail: n.price@csl.gov.uk