Search results

The European Commission DG SANTE requested EFSA in December 2016 to carry out a horizon scanning exercise on emerging plant pests of interest for the European Union territory. To answer this request, EFSA extended the automated monitoring system based on the MEDISYS platform that was set up in collaboration with the JRC in the period 2014-2016. MEDISYS is part of the Europe Media Monitor (EMM) system, fully automatic public health surveillance platform, able to retrieve articles from the internet, categorise them, identify entities (organisations, persons and locations), extract events, cluster articles, and calculate statistics in order to detect emerging threats. Searches are automatically carried out by the system using keywords corresponding to scientific and common names of the pests and associated diseases. The results are collected in monthly newsletters. Articles on pests regulated in the EU, listed by EPPO and more than 500 newly discovered and emerging plant pests are searched by the platform in more than 12,000 media and scientific literature sources from around 200 countries. Xylella fastidiosa is the pest most covered by media. Time series of articles are reported to illustrate the media relevance of certain plant health issues related to this pest. The situations in Italy and Spain have been largely covered by media that also reported news about the outbreaks in France, Portugal and the first findings of the pest in Israel. Many additional information about vectors, subspecies and hosts have also been reported by media. Xylella fastidiosa is also one of the most recurrent pests subject of scientific articles on control measures, surveillance, detection methods and pest epidemiology. Some articles, providing information on new findings, new vectors and new host plants, may be of interest in the context of the regulation of this quarantine pest. ; IT; PPT; Caterina.CAMPESE@ext.efsa.europa.eu

Following a request from the European Commission, in this scientific opinion the EFSA Panel on Plant Health evaluates the risk of entry into the European Union of harmful organisms associated with soil or growing medium attached to plants for planting, as commodities, and as contaminants on imported consignments. The Panel compared several definitions of soil and growing media and used, in this opinion, the current definition for growing media of the International Plant Protection Convention. In Council Directive 2000/29/EC, no specific definition of soil and growing media is provided but growing media are described in two different ways. From the soil and growing media and/or components thereof identified through extensive literature searches, the Panel distinguished eight groups of soil and growing media and assessed the probability of association of these groups with harmful organisms. A total of 207 scientific publications were reviewed by the Panel in order to identify and rate the effectiveness of options that could reduce the risk of entry of pests posed by the import of soil and growing media. A detailed description and evaluation of the requirements for soil and growing media laid down in current EU legislation on plant health and in a few other regions of the world is provided. The Panel found that the 'prohibition of import' is the only phytosanitary measure with a very high effectiveness and a low uncertainty. The effectiveness of the phytosanitary measures 'pest free production site and preparation of consignment' is rated as moderate to high with an uncertainty rated as medium to high. Although several phytosanitary measures in these categories of risk reduction options could be highly effective, EU legislation does not provide clear formulation and guidance on their implementation.

The EFSA Panel on Plant Health was requested by the European Commission to assess the risk to plant health in 8the European Union if the Australian bud-galling wasp Trichilogaster acaciaelongifoliae was released for the 9control of the invasive alien plant Acacia longifolia in Portugal. T. acaciaelongifoliae feeds on A. longifolia and 10A. floribunda. In South Africa, following its intentional introduction in 1982 and 1983, the wasp is now present 11throughout the range of A. longifolia in that country, with most plants showing galls and seed set reductions of, 12initially, up to 95 %. Climatic conditions in the EU are largely suitable for establishment wherever A. longifolia13and A. floribunda are present. T. acaciaelongifoliae is moderately likely to establish and spread in the EU, by 14natural means, but particularly if it is intentionally moved to control populations of A. longifolia other than those 15present in Portugal. The effects on native biodiversity and ecosystems resulting from invasive populations of 16A. longifolia are likely to be reduced by the wasp. A. longifolia is grown as an ornamental plant in some EU 17countries. A. floribunda is not an invasive plant in the EU and is cultivated as an ornamental plant on a small 18scale in France, Greece and Italy. Any effects on cultivated ornamental A. longifolia and A. floribunda a re rated 19as moderate, although likely to be transient, as the industry could switch to the cultivation of other Acacia spp. 20For plant species other than A. longifolia and A. floribunda, consequences are expected to be minor, with low 21uncertainty except for A. retinodes and Cytisus striatus, where further investigation is required. No risk-reducing 22options in the plant health context are considered necessary, except for monitoring, sentinel planting, and care 23with regard to quarantine facilities and release protocols to prevent accidental release in situations and locations 24other than those intended

The Panel on Plant Health performed a pest categorisation of Circulifer tenellus (Ct) and C. haematoceps (Ch) (Hemiptera, Cicadellidae) for the European Union (EU) territory. They are well‐defined insect species that can be identified on the basis of external morphology and male genitalia. Ch and Ct are considered to originate from the Old World; Ct is also present in North America and the Caribbean. In the EU, Ch is reported in 11 Member States, mostly in southern or central Europe, and Ct is reported in Spain, France, Italy and Greece. Neither species is harmful by itself, but they are vectors of Spiroplasma citri, the causal agent of, for example, citrus stubborn disease. The major impact of Ct in North America results from the transmission of Beet curly top virus to sugarbeet. Ct also transmits 'Candidatus Phytoplasma trifolii' and Ch transmits 'Ca P. asteris'. There is no transovarial transmission of the pathogens. Ch and Ct are regulated harmful organisms in the EU and listed in Annex II, Part A, Section II, of Council Directive 2000/29/EC together with Spiroplasma citri and with respect to plants of Citrus Fortunella Poncirus and their hybrids, other than fruit and seeds, despite the fact that Ct and Ch have a larger host range. Ch and Ct are likely to be disseminated by plants for planting (the eggs are laid into the leaf veins and petioles), they have also been observed to hitch‐hike on terrestrial vehicles, and Ct is known for its very high flight capacity. Both species have many hosts, in particular in the Chenopodiaceae, Brassicaceae and Asteraceae. Ecological conditions in the risk assessment area are suitable for the establishment and spread of S. citri, at least where citrus is currently grown.

Following a request from the European Commission, the EFSA Panel on Plant Health (EFSA PLH Panel) was asked to react to a document entitled "Comments on the European Union Food Safety Authority's Pest Risk Assessment for Phyllosticta citricarpa", authored by Hattingh et al., which was posted online in August 2014 on the website of Citrus Research International (Pty) Ltd, South Africa. Citrus black spot (CBS), caused by the fungus Phyllosticta citricarpa (McAlpine) Van der Aa, is a fruit-blemishing and leaf-spotting disease affecting citrus. P. citricarpa is not known to occur in the EU territory and is regulated as a quarantine organism in citrus (Council Directive 2000/29/EC). The Panel assessed the comments by Hattingh et al. in the light of the content of the EFSA PLH Panel Scientific Opinion on CBS and the EFSA report detailing responses to comments received during the public consultation on the draft opinion. The Panel stands by the EFSA PLH Panel Scientific Opinion on CBS and considers that the comments by Hattingh et al. have been thoroughly addressed in the EFSA report on the public consultation on the EFSA PLH Panel Scientific Opinion on CBS. A detailed point by point reply to the comments by Hattingh et al. is provided in an Appendix of this Panel statement. Since September 2014, EFSA has written to the lead author of the comments trying to engage in a scientific dialogue concerning the sources of uncertainty related to the risks posed by P. citricarpa to plant health in the EU, so as to identify ways to reduce such uncertainties (e.g. with further research and/or data exchange). The EFSA PLH Panel also remains open to such constructive dialogue in the future.

The Panel on Plant Health undertook a pest categorisation for the scale insect Aonidiella citrina for the European Union. A. citrina is a distinct species, but examination with a microscope is required to distinguish it from A. aurantii, which is also a citrus pest originating from Asia, but is much more widespread in southern Europe and far more damaging than A. citrina. A. citrina was first found in Europe in 1994 but has been recorded only in Italy, France and Greece. It is primarily a citrus pest, but has been found in association with a variety of other plant genera. Southern areas of the EU, where citrus plants are cultivated, are potentially suitable for outdoor establishment of A. citrina. The pest has not been recorded in protected cultivation. No serious impacts of A. citrina have been recorded in Europe, and an integrated pest management programme, combining chemical and biological controls, is considered to be effective. A. citrina is an insect listed in Annex IIAI of Council Directive 2000/29/EC in relation to its main hosts: Citrus, Fortunella and Poncirus plants. These hosts are also regulated in Annex III and Annex V and are explicitly mentioned in Council Directive 2008/90/EC.

The European Commission requested the EFSA Panel on Plant Health to perform a pest categorisation of Atropellis spp., the fungal pathogens responsible for causing cankers in several Pinus species. The pathogens are listed in Annex IIAI of Directive 2000/29/EC. The pathogens have been identified as A. apiculata, A. pinicola, A. piniphila and A. tingens. Detection, identification and differentiation of Atropellis species is based on their morphological and cultural characteristics. A. apiculata is present in North Carolina and Virginia (USA), and A. pinicola, A. piniphila and A. tingens are present in Canada and the USA. Atropellis spp. are not known to occur in the EU Member States so far. Several Pinus species have been reported to be hosts of Atropellis spp., with some of them being present in the EU Member States. However, the susceptibility to infection with these pathogens of pine species native to Europe and Eurasia, such as Pinus brutia, P. cembra, P. mugo, P. peuce, P. pinaster and P. sibiricais not yet known. There are no obvious eco-climatic factors limiting the potential establishment and spread of the pathogens in the risk assessment area. The pathogens can spread over short distances by ascospores that are dispersed primarily by wind and secondarily by rain. Spread of Atropellis spp. over long distances may occur by means of movement of infected host plants for planting (especially asymptomatic), cut branches, and wood or isolated bark. Control methods used against Atropellis spp. include cultural practices and sanitary measures. No chemical control measures, resistant host genotypes or biological control measures exist. Potential consequences of the damage caused by Atropellis spp. include malformation of the trees resulting in lower wood quality or tree marketability.

The Panel on Plant Health performed a pest categorisation of potato stolbur mycoplasma, recently renamed Candidatus Phytoplasma solani (CPs), for the European Union (EU) territory. CPs is a well-defined species of the genus Candidatus Phytoplasma, for which molecular detection assays are available. It is a regulated harmful organism in the EU, and is listed as potato stolbur mycoplasma in Annex II, Part A, Section II of Council Directive 2000/29/EC. Although CPs can infect a wide range of host plants, this listing concerns only Solanaceae plants for planting. CPs is transmitted by grafting and vegetative propagation of infected hosts, and by several insect vector species including Hyalesthes obsoletus, Reptalus panzeri, Pentastiridius leporinus and possibly others. The geographical distributions and population densities of these vectors govern the spread of CPs. CPs can infect a wide range of host plants and has been reported in 14 EU Member States (MSs). CPs can cause yield losses in potato and other solanaceous crops, in grapevine, strawberry, maize and lavender. Because host plants, wild or cultivated, are widely distributed throughout the EU, the distribution of vector populations is the main determinant of CPs establishment and spread; therefore, CPs has the potential to establish and spread in unaffected parts of the EU with the extension of the distribution range of its vectors. There are high annual fluctuations in the impact of CPs, and this is mostly affected by the prevalence of plant reservoirs for CPs and by the size of local vector populations, which cannot easily be controlled. There are uncertainties regarding the precise distribution of CPs and its vectors, the evolution of vector distribution, the long-term impact of emerging CPs genotypes and the extent of impact on the various susceptible crops grown in the EU.

The Panel on Plant Health undertook a pest categorisation of Rhagoletis cingulata for the European Union (EU). This pest is a member of a complex of five North American species, of which Rhagoletis indifferens is the only other crop pest. The two pest species have morphologically distinct adults, but similar larvae and both attack cherries. R. cingulata is currently present in eight Member States but its presence in eastern North America from Mexico to Canada implies that all the risk assessment area where its hosts occur is suitable for establishment. Adults have a limited capacity for flight, and spread is mainly by larvae present in traded fruit and pupae in soil. R. cingulata attacks all cultivated and wild cherries but is particularly damaging to late-maturing varieties, especially sour cherries. Even small infestations can cause losses because the quality requirements for marketing of cherry fruits indicate a threshold below 4 % for "worm-eaten" fruit in accordance with Commission Regulation 214/2004. The limited control measures available are similar to those for the native cherry fruit fly, R. cerasi, and are primarily based on insecticide sprays timed to kill adults, along with some cultural methods (e.g. netting and trapping). R. cingulata is listed in Annex IAI of Council Directive 2000/29/EC and its hosts are regulated in Annex IIIA with prohibitions for introduction in the Member States, in Annex IVAI with special requirements on soil and dwarfed plants that need to be considered and in Annex V indicating that host plants intended for planting are subject to plant health inspection before entry or movement within the EU.

The European Commission requested the EFSA Panel on Plant Health to perform a pest categorisation for Ceratocystis fimbriata f. sp. platani Walter, the fungal pathogen responsible for the "canker stain" disease of plane trees. C. fimbriata f. sp. platani is listed in Annex IIAII of Directive 2000/29/EC. Recently, the pathogen has been reclassified as Ceratocystis platani (Walter) Engelbrecht et Harrington, based on intersterility studies, progeny analysis and the morphology of isolates from different hosts. C. platani is a single taxonomic entity and sensitive and reliable methods are available for its detection and differentiation from other related fungal species. The only known hosts are Platanus occidentalis, Platanus orientalis and Platanus × acerifolia. The last two plane species are the most susceptible to C. platani and are widely grown in most of the European Union Member States. C. platani is a wound pathogen causing canker and wilt and eventually death of plane trees. It is currently present in part of the risk assessment area (Greece, France, Italy), where it causes serious consequences on P. orientalis and P. × acerifolia trees grown in natural stands, coppices, and public and private gardens in both rural and urban environments. There are no obvious ecological/climatic factors limiting the potential establishment and spread of the pathogen in the non-infested part of the risk assessment area where hosts are present. C. platani has multiple natural and human-assisted means of spread, including waterways, root anastomosis, contaminated pruning tools, insects, contaminated insect frass and sawdust. The movement of infected host plants for planting and wood is considered to be responsible for the introduction of the pathogen into new areas. Cultural practices and sanitary and chemical measures applied in the infested areas may reduce inoculum sources but they cannot eliminate the pathogen. Plane accessions resistant to C. platani are available in the European market.