Leveraging Cybersecurity and NGS Protocols for the Detection of Illegal Vegetable Varieties and Microbiological Hazards to Strengthen EU Customs Security

CUSTOMICS plans to address these challenges by developing a scalable, rapid inspection platform that combines next-generation sequencing (NGS), portable technologies and secure data management. The project will use tomato seeds as a proof-of-concept crop before exploring how the approach can be extended to other vegetable species relevant to European agriculture. CUSTOMICS brings together expertise from plant science, molecular biology, genomics, bioinformatics, plant breeding, cybersecurity, law enforcement and regulatory frameworks. A key element of the project will be the development of standardized approaches that improve interoperability between customs, authorities and law enforcement agencies.By connecting cutting-edge genomics with portable technologies, cybersecurity and the expertise of European enforcement authorities, CUSTOMICS aims to build a new generation of intelligent border inspection capabilities, helping Europe tackle illicit seed trade while protecting the health, integrity and resilience of its food and agricultural systems.