Abstract: A screening element (10) comprises an open-mesh fabric (11) made up of interwoven threads to form warp threads (12) and weft threads (13). A strip element (14) is held fast between, and is parallel to two warp threads. The strip element (14) is flexible along its length parallel to the warp threads and basically rigid in the plane of the fabric transversally to the warp threads. This strip element acts as a hooking connection for support elements (16, 17) of the screening element. The strip element is tensioned longitudinally at its ends and the fabric is transversally tensioned by means of transversal actions on the strip element itself.