Leveraging Cybersecurity and NGS Protocols for the Detection of Illegal Vegetable Varieties and Microbiological Hazards to Strengthen EU Customs Securitycore
CUSTOMICS · Horizon Europe grant · 2026-09-01–2029-08-31
EC contribution
Total cost
Beneficiaries
About the data
Source: CORDIS (official EU open data), Horizon Europe. Framework HORIZON · call HORIZON-CL3-2025-01 · scheme HORIZON-IA · topic HORIZON-CL3-2025-01-BM-03. CORDIS record →
Objective
CUSTOMICS addresses the growing threat of illegal vegetable seed flows and associated microbiological risks to EU supply chains. Illicit seed trade undermines phytosanitary security, agricultural innovation, and market integrity, while climate change increases the likelihood of novel pathogens entering the EU through seeds. To respond to these challenges, CUSTOMICS will develop a rapid and scalable inspection platform that integrates next-generation sequencing (NGS), portable genomic devices, and secure data systems to support real-time customs decision-making. Using tomato seeds as a proof-of-concept crop of high economic value, CUSTOMICS will establish fast genomic workflows for seed variety authentication, ensuring traceability and protection of intellectual property rights. In parallel, the project will create a metagenomic pipeline capable of detecting a broad spectrum of microbial contaminants—including viruses, bacteria, and fungi—within a One Health framework, strengthening EU capacity to identify emerging phytosanitary threats at borders. To ensure operational relevance, CUSTOMICS will co-develop procedures with EU customs laboratories and prototype a cybersecurity-enabled fraud-reporting database that links customs, phytosanitary authorities, and law-enforcement agencies. This will enable real-time case cross-referencing, harmonised workflows, and evidence-based interventions across Member States. By combining plant genomics, metagenomics, cybersecurity, bioinformatics, and regulatory expertise, CUSTOMICS will deliver a field-adapted, interoperable, and legally compliant solution that enhances EU border security, accelerates inspections, and protects agricultural resources and consumer trust. The project will lay the foundation for a scalable model applicable to additional crop species, reinforcing EU resilience against biological and economic threats.
Beneficiaries (10)
| Organisation | Country | Role | EC contribution | SME |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UNIVERSITA CAMPUS BIO MEDICO DI ROMA | IT | coordinator | €910,030 | |
| UNIVERSIDAD DE NAVARRA | ES | participant | €440,225 | |
| RESEARCH AND INNOVATION SERVICES DOO ZA USLUGE | HR | participant | €300,212 | |
| GENECHRON S.R.L. | IT | participant | €228,865 | |
| SEQUENTIA BIOTECH SL | ES | participant | €217,700 | Yes |
| AGENZIA DELLE DOGANE E DEI MONOPOLI | IT | participant | €217,500 | |
| CENTRE DE RECERCA EN AGRIGENOMICA CSIC-IRTA-UAB-UB | ES | participant | €172,232 | |
| MINISTERE DE L ECONOMIE, DES FINANCES ET DE LA SOUVERAINETE INDUSTRIELLE ET NUMERIQUE | FR | participant | €153,825 | |
| ASSOCIATION GROUPE ESSEC | FR | participant | €151,412 | |
| COMMUNITY PLANT VARIETY OFFICE | FR | associatedPartner | — |
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