Suchergebnisse

Following a request from the European Commission, the EFSA Plant Health Panel performed a pest categorisation of Pantoea stewartii subsp. stewartii (hereafter P. s. subsp. stewartii). P. s. subsp. stewartii is a Gram-negative bacterium that causes Stewart's vascular wilt and leaf blight of sweet corn and maize, a disease responsible for serious crop losses throughout the world. The bacterium is endemic to the USA and is now present in Africa, North, Central and South America, Asia and Ukraine. In the EU, it is reported from Italy with a restricted distribution and under eradication. The bacterium is regulated according to Council Directive 2000/29/EC (Annex IIAI) as a harmful organism whose introduction and spread in the EU is banned on seeds of Zea mays. Other reported potential host plants include various species of the family Poaceae, including weeds, rice (Oryza sativa), oat (Avena sativa) and common wheat (Triticum aestivum), as well as jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus), the ornamental Dracaena sanderiana and the palm Bactris gasipaes, but there is uncertainty about whether these are hosts of P. s. subsp. stewartii or of the other subspecies. The pest could enter the EU via host plants for planting (including seed) and via insect vectors from neighbouring countries. Host plants are widely distributed and climatic conditions are conducive in the EU. P. s. subsp. stewartii could spread by movement of host plants for planting (including seeds) and insect vectors. Impacts could occur on maize and rice. Methods to certify pest freedom of maize seeds are available. The main knowledge gaps concern the availability of vectors in the EU, the level of susceptibility of the maize cultivars grown in the EU, the virulence of strains in recent outbreaks, and the host range of the bacterium. The criteria assessed by the Panel for consideration as a potential quarantine pest are met.

The Panel on Plant Health performed a pest categorisation of the citrus snow scale, Unaspis citri (Comstock) (Hemiptera: Diaspididae), for the European Union (EU). This is a well‐defined and distinguishable species, native to south‐eastern Asia, which has spread to many tropical and subtropical regions. U. citri can be a pest of citrus and has been cited on over 28 different species in 16 plant families. In the EU, U. citri occurs in the Azores. There is uncertainty as to whether it occurs in continental Portugal. Reports of it occurring in Greece and Spain are likely to be invalid and based on interception records from these countries. An old Italian record is a misidentification. U. citri is listed in Annex IIAI of 2000/29/EC as a harmful organism. The international trade of hosts, as either plants for planting, fruit or cut flowers, provide potential pathways into the EU. However, current EU legislation prohibits the import of citrus plants for planting from third countries. U. citri is mostly confined to coastal humid tropical areas and does not occur in semi‐arid areas that are irrigated. Nevertheless, given that it occurs in the Azores and that there are regional climatic similarities between places where U. citri occurs and climates within the EU, and taking EU host distribution into account, U. citri has the potential to establish in the EU, especially in citrus‐growing regions around the Mediterranean where losses in quality and yield of citrus could occur. Phytosanitary measures are available to inhibit the likelihood of introduction of U. citri. Considering the criteria within the remit of EFSA to assess the status as a potential Union quarantine pest (QP), or as a potential regulated non‐quarantine pest (RNQP), U. citri meets the criteria assessed by EFSA for consideration as a potential Union QP.

The Panel on Plant Health performed a pest categorisation of the South African citrus thrips, Scirtothrips aurantii Faure (Thysanoptera: Thripidae), for the European Union (EU). This is a well‐defined and distinguishable species, recognised as a pest of citrus and mangoes in South Africa, which has been cited on more than 70 different plants, including woody and herbaceous species. It feeds exclusively on young actively growing foliage and fruit. S. aurantii is not known to occur in the EU and is listed in Annex IIAI of 2000/29/EC as a harmful organism presenting a risk to EU plant health. The international trade of hosts as either plants for planting or cut flowers provide potential pathways into the EU. However, current EU legislation prohibits the import of citrus plants. Furthermore, measures aimed at the import of plants for planting in a dormant stage (no young foliage or fruits present) with no soil/growing medium attached, decreases the likelihood of the pest entry with such plants. Interceptions have occurred on Eustoma grandiflorum cut flowers. Considering climatic similarities between some of the countries where S. aurantii occurs (South Africa, Australia) and the EU, its thermal biology and host distribution in the EU, S. aurantii has the potential to establish, especially in citrus‐growing regions of the EU. S. aurantii would most probably breed all year long around the Mediterranean and could cause crop losses in citrus, especially oranges. Phytosanitary measures are available to inhibit the introduction of S. aurantii. Considering the criteria within the remit of EFSA to assess its status as a potential Union quarantine pest (QP) or as a potential regulated non‐quarantine pest (RNQP), S. aurantii meets with no uncertainties the criteria assessed by EFSA for consideration as a potential Union QP.

The Panel on Plant Health performed a pest categorisation of the citrus thrips, Scirtothrips citri (Moulton) (Thysanoptera: Thripidae), for the European Union (EU). This is a well‐defined and distinguishable species, occurring in North America and Asia. Its precise distribution in Asia is uncertain. S. citri is a pest of citrus and blueberries and has been cited on over 50 different host species in 33 plant families. Whether all plants reported as hosts are true hosts, allowing population development of S. citri, is uncertain. S. citri feeds exclusively on young actively growing foliage and fruit. It is not known to occur in the EU and is listed in Annex IIAI of 2000/29/EC as a harmful organism. The international trade of hosts, as either plants for planting or cut flowers, provide potential pathways into the EU. However, current EU legislation prohibits the import of citrus plants for planting. Furthermore, measures aimed at the import of plants for planting in a dormant stage (no young foliage or fruits present) with no soil/growing medium attached, decreases the likelihood of the pest's entry via other hosts. Considering that there are regional climatic similarities where S. citri occurs in the USA with climates in the EU, and taking EU host distribution into account, S. citri has the potential to establish in the EU, especially in citrus and blueberry growing regions around the Mediterranean where quality losses in citrus and yield losses in blueberry could occur. Phytosanitary measures are available to inhibit the likelihood of introduction of S. citri from infested countries. Considering the criteria within the remit of EFSA to assess its status as a potential Union quarantine pest (QP) or as a potential regulated non‐quarantine pest (RNQP), S. citri meets with no uncertainties the criteria assessed by EFSA for consideration as a potential Union QP.

Following a request from the European Commission, the EFSA Plant Health Panel performed a pest categorisation of Lopholeucaspis japonica (Hemiptera: Diaspididae), an armoured scale which preferentially feeds on smooth barked woody trees and shrubs. The pest occurs in Asia, North America and non‐EU Europe (Caucasus region and Ukraine). The pest is regulated in Council Directive 2000/29/EC as Leucaspis japonica, a junior synonym. Its introduction into the EU is banned on plants of Citrus, Fortunella, Poncirus and their hybrids, other than fruit and seeds. Additional host plants comprise 60 species in 35 botanical families, including deciduous fruit trees, ornamental and forest plants. L. japonica could enter the EU via host plants for planting (excluding seeds) and cut branches. It has been intercepted on plants for planting from China, including artificially dwarfed plants. Spread is most likely via plants for planting, rather than via natural spread as most diaspidid life stages are sessile. Impacts could occur in citrus, other fruit crops, ornamentals and forest trees. Sourcing plants from pest‐free areas, pest‐free places of production or pest‐free production sites would decrease the likelihood of introduction. Because suitable hosts occur across the EU in climatic areas matching those where the pest is known to occur, biotic and abiotic conditions are conducive to establishment. The main uncertainty concerns its current distribution in the EU. L. japonica was found in Greece in 1983, but there have been no other reports since then. L japonica satisfies the criteria assessed by EFSA that enable it to be considered a potential quarantine pest. L. japonica does not satisfy the criteria assessed by EFSA for it to be considered a potential regulated non‐quarantine pest (RNQP).

Following a request from the European Commission, the EFSA Plant Health Panel performed a pest categorisation of Pantoea stewartii subsp. stewartii (hereafter P. s. subsp. stewartii). P. s. subsp. stewartii is a Gram‐negative bacterium that causes Stewart's vascular wilt and leaf blight of sweet corn and maize, a disease responsible for serious crop losses throughout the world. The bacterium is endemic to the USA and is now present in Africa, North, Central and South America, Asia and Ukraine. In the EU, it is reported from Italy with a restricted distribution and under eradication. The bacterium is regulated according to Council Directive 2000/29/EC (Annex IIAI) as a harmful organism whose introduction and spread in the EU is banned on seeds of Zea mays. Other reported potential host plants include various species of the family Poaceae, including weeds, rice (Oryza sativa), oat (Avena sativa) and common wheat (Triticum aestivum), as well as jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus), the ornamental Dracaena sanderiana and the palm Bactris gasipaes, but there is uncertainty about whether these are hosts of P. s. subsp. stewartii or of the other subspecies. The pest could enter the EU via host plants for planting (including seed) and via insect vectors from neighbouring countries. Host plants are widely distributed and climatic conditions are conducive in the EU. P. s. subsp. stewartii could spread by movement of host plants for planting (including seeds) and insect vectors. Impacts could occur on maize and rice. Methods to certify pest freedom of maize seeds are available. The main knowledge gaps concern the availability of vectors in the EU, the level of susceptibility of the maize cultivars grown in the EU, the virulence of strains in recent outbreaks, and the host range of the bacterium. The criteria assessed by the Panel for consideration as a potential quarantine pest are met.

The Panelon Plant Health performed a pest categorisation of nematodes belonging to the genus Hirschmanniella (Nematoda: Pratylenchidae). Twenty-nine species in this genus have been considered of which five species are present in the EU (Hirschmanniellabehningi, Hirschmanniellagracilis, Hirschmanniellahalophila, Hirschmanniellaloofi and Hirschmanniellazostericola). The whole genus except H.gracilis is regulated by Council Directive2000/29/EC (Annex IAI). Hirschmanniella species are root endoparasites uniquely adapted to aquatic environments. Most species are reported from tropical regions. Monocotyledons including aquatic plants are main hosts and some Hirschmanniella species are important pests of rice. Plants for planting are potential pathways for entry. Hirschmanniella species are frequently intercepted on imported aquarium plants. Measures are available to avoid entry. Environmental conditions in greenhouses and potentially in rice production areas of the EU are suitable for establishment. The nematode may be spread with irrigation, tools or plants for planting. Hirschmanniella species were categorised into four groups. The first group includes species reported as pests of crop plants; those satisfy all the criteria that are within the remit of EFSA to assess to be regarded as Union quarantine pests. The second group includes species that are not reported to cause economic damage to crop plants; those species do not satisfy all the criteria to be regarded as Union quarantine pests. Uncertainty exists whether species in this group can cause damage once introduced into the EU. The third group includes species that are known to be present in the EU and do not cause damage; they do not satisfy the criteria to be regarded as Union quarantine pests or regulated non-quarantine pests. The fourth group consists of H.gracilis only. This worldwide occurring species is present in the EU where it does not cause economic damage. It does not satisfy all the criteria to be regarded as a Union quarantine pest.

The Panelon Plant Health performed a pest categorisation of Nacobbusaberrans (Nematoda: Pratylenchidae), the false root-knot nematode, for the EU. The nematode was originally described from the American continent. Due to differences in host range as well as molecular variability among populations, N. aberrans should be regarded as a species complex (N.aberrans sensu lato). All populations belonging to this species complex are pests of important host plants in the EU. N.aberrans had been detected indoors in the EU in the 1950s and 1960s but is no longer reported to be present in the EU. It is regulated by Council Directive 2000/29/EC, listed in Annex IAI as N.aberrans (Thorne) Thorne and Allen. Species within the N.aberrans complex are endoparasitic with migratory and sedentary stages. They are highly polyphagous attacking many plant species. They are also found in soil where they can survive dry conditions and freezing temperatures. Plants for planting and soil are potential pathways for this nematode. Climatic conditions in the EU are similar to those found in the countries where the pest is present. Hosts of the nematode from which high-yield losses have been reported include potato, sugar beet, tomato and beans. The nematode only moves short distances (around 1m) but may be spread with plants and soil moving activities. Measures are available to inhibit EU entry via potatoes and soil as such but not all host plants are covered by current legislation. Entry of the nematode with plants and soil attached to plants for planting that are not regulated is therefore possible. N.aberrans does satisfy all the criteria that are within the remit of EFSA to assess to be regarded as a Union quarantine pest.

The Panel on Plant Health performed a pest categorisation of Xiphinema americanum sensu lato (Nematoda: Longidoridae) for the EU. Sixty-one species in this group are recognised. They are polyphagous pests found in soil associated with a number of plant species. As a migratory ectoparasitic species, it punctures cells of plant roots. Nematodes were classified in four categories based on their distribution and ability to transmit viruses. Category I contains the seven virus vector species present outside the EU: X. americanum sensu stricto, X. bricolense, X. californicum, X. inaequale, X. intermedium, X. rivesi (non-EU populations) and X. tarjanense. Category II contains the 28 species not present in the EU and not known to transmit any virus. Twenty-six species are present in the EU and are not known to be virus vectors (category III). Category IV contains the species present in the EU, which is a virus vector (EU populations of X. rivesi). All nematodes known to be virus vectors occurring outside the EU (category I) satisfy all the criteria that are within the remit of EFSA to assess to be regarded as Union quarantine pests. This is mainly due to their association with non-EU virus isolates. Categories II and III contain species that are not reported to transmit viruses or cause economic damage to crop plants. Although uncertainty concerning their ability to transmit viruses exists, those species do not satisfy all the criteria to be regarded as Union quarantine pests. Category IV contains the EU populations of X. rivesi. The species is a virus vector but current EU populations of X. rivesi have not been reported to be associated with any of the EU viruses or their non-EU isolates under field conditions. Xiphinema rivesi (EU populations) is widespread in some Member States and does not satisfy all the criteria to be regarded as a Union quarantine. None of the species can be regarded as a regulated non-quarantine pest. (C) 2018 European Food Safety Authority. EFSA Journal published by John Wiley and Sons Ltd on behalf of European Food Safety Authority.

Following a request from the European Commission, the EFSA Panel on Plant Health performed a pest categorisation of Cronartium harknessii, Cronartium kurilense and Cronartium sahoanum, which are well-defined and distinguishable tree fungal pathogens of the family Cronartiaceae. In 2018, these species were moved from the genus Endocronartium to the genus Cronartium. These pathogens are not known to be present in the EU and are regulated in Council Directive 2000/29/EC (Annex IAI) (as non-European Endocronartium spp.) as harmful organisms whose introduction into the EU is banned. These three fungi are autoecious rusts completing their life cycle on Pinus spp. C. harknessii is known as the western gall rust or pine-pine gall rust in North America (Canada, the USA and Mexico). C. kurilense and C. sahoanum are reported from Russia (North Kuril Islands) and Japan. The pathogens could enter the EU via host plants for planting and cut branches. The pathogens could establish in the EU, as climatic conditions are favourable and Pinus spp. are common. The pathogens would be able to spread following establishment by movement of host plants for planting and cut branches, as well as natural spread. Should these pathogens be introduced in the EU, impacts can be expected on pine forests, plantations, ornamental trees and nurseries. The pathogens cause formation of stem galls, which kill young trees and result in stem defect in older trees. The main knowledge gap concerns the limited available information on C. kurilense and C. sahoanum compared to C. harknessii. The criteria assessed by the Panel for consideration of C. harknessii, C. kurilense and C. sahoanum as potential quarantine pests are met, whilst, for regulated non-quarantine pests, the criterion on the pest presence in the EU is not met.

The Panel on Plant Health performed a pest categorisation of the citrus snow scale, Unaspis citri (Comstock) (Hemiptera: Diaspididae), for the European Union (EU). This is a well‐defined and distinguishable species, native to south‐eastern Asia, which has spread to many tropical and subtropical regions. U. citri can be a pest of citrus and has been cited on over 28 different species in 16 plant families. In the EU, U. citri occurs in the Azores. There is uncertainty as to whether it occurs in continental Portugal. Reports of it occurring in Greece and Spain are likely to be invalid and based on interception records from these countries. An old Italian record is a misidentification. U. citri is listed in Annex IIAI of 2000/29/EC as a harmful organism. The international trade of hosts, as either plants for planting, fruit or cut flowers, provide potential pathways into the EU. However, current EU legislation prohibits the import of citrus plants for planting from third countries. U. citri is mostly confined to coastal humid tropical areas and does not occur in semi‐arid areas that are irrigated. Nevertheless, given that it occurs in the Azores and that there are regional climatic similarities between places where U. citri occurs and climates within the EU, and taking EU host distribution into account, U. citri has the potential to establish in the EU, especially in citrus‐growing regions around the Mediterranean where losses in quality and yield of citrus could occur. Phytosanitary measures are available to inhibit the likelihood of introduction of U. citri. Considering the criteria within the remit of EFSA to assess the status as a potential Union quarantine pest (QP), or as a potential regulated non‐quarantine pest (RNQP), U. citri meets the criteria assessed by EFSA for consideration as a potential Union QP.

The Panel on Plant Health performed a pest categorisation of the fungus Synchytrium endobioticum, the causal agent of potato wart disease, for the European Union (EU). The identity of the pest is well established and reliable methods exist for its detection and identification. S. endobioticum is present in most continents. The pest is listed in Annex IAII of Directive 2000/29/EC and is present with a restricted and fragmentary distribution in the EU. The major host is Solanum tuberosum (potato), but in Mexico, the pest also affects wild Solanum spp. S. endobioticum could potentially enter the EU through multiple pathways associated with soil as substrate for non‐host plants, contaminant or commodity. The presence of the pest in 16 EU Member States characterised by different climatic conditions suggests that it could establish in the rest of the EU. The disease induces the formation of warts on potato tubers, stolons and stem bases reducing plant growth and yield and making tubers unmarketable. Additional losses may occur during storage. The only available strategy to control the disease and prevent it from spreading is the application of strict phytosanitary measures and the cultivation of potato varieties resistant to the pathotype(s) present in the infested field(s). Specific phytosanitary measures exist (Council Directive 69/464/EEC) for the control of potato wart disease in the EU. The main uncertainties refer to the distribution and host range of the pest, and the importance of some pathways of entry. S. endobioticum meets all the criteria assessed by EFSA for consideration as potential Union quarantine pest. The criteria for considering S. endobioticum as a potential Union regulated non‐quarantine pest are not met since, in addition to potato seed tubers, soil (as commodity, substrate or contaminant) and ware potato tubers are major means of spread.

The Panel on Plant Health performed a pest categorisation of the South African citrus thrips, Scirtothrips aurantii Faure (Thysanoptera: Thripidae), for the European Union (EU). This is a well‐defined and distinguishable species, recognised as a pest of citrus and mangoes in South Africa, which has been cited on more than 70 different plants, including woody and herbaceous species. It feeds exclusively on young actively growing foliage and fruit. S. aurantii is not known to occur in the EU and is listed in Annex IIAI of 2000/29/EC as a harmful organism presenting a risk to EU plant health. The international trade of hosts as either plants for planting or cut flowers provide potential pathways into the EU. However, current EU legislation prohibits the import of citrus plants. Furthermore, measures aimed at the import of plants for planting in a dormant stage (no young foliage or fruits present) with no soil/growing medium attached, decreases the likelihood of the pest entry with such plants. Interceptions have occurred on Eustoma grandiflorum cut flowers. Considering climatic similarities between some of the countries where S. aurantii occurs (South Africa, Australia) and the EU, its thermal biology and host distribution in the EU, S. aurantii has the potential to establish, especially in citrus‐growing regions of the EU. S. aurantii would most probably breed all year long around the Mediterranean and could cause crop losses in citrus, especially oranges. Phytosanitary measures are available to inhibit the introduction of S. aurantii. Considering the criteria within the remit of EFSA to assess its status as a potential Union quarantine pest (QP) or as a potential regulated non‐quarantine pest (RNQP), S. aurantii meets with no uncertainties the criteria assessed by EFSA for consideration as a potential Union QP.

The Panel on Plant Health performed a pest categorisation of the citrus thrips, Scirtothrips citri (Moulton) (Thysanoptera: Thripidae), for the European Union (EU). This is a well‐defined and distinguishable species, occurring in North America and Asia. Its precise distribution in Asia is uncertain. S. citri is a pest of citrus and blueberries and has been cited on over 50 different host species in 33 plant families. Whether all plants reported as hosts are true hosts, allowing population development of S. citri, is uncertain. S. citri feeds exclusively on young actively growing foliage and fruit. It is not known to occur in the EU and is listed in Annex IIAI of 2000/29/EC as a harmful organism. The international trade of hosts, as either plants for planting or cut flowers, provide potential pathways into the EU. However, current EU legislation prohibits the import of citrus plants for planting. Furthermore, measures aimed at the import of plants for planting in a dormant stage (no young foliage or fruits present) with no soil/growing medium attached, decreases the likelihood of the pest's entry via other hosts. Considering that there are regional climatic similarities where S. citri occurs in the USA with climates in the EU, and taking EU host distribution into account, S. citri has the potential to establish in the EU, especially in citrus and blueberry growing regions around the Mediterranean where quality losses in citrus and yield losses in blueberry could occur. Phytosanitary measures are available to inhibit the likelihood of introduction of S. citri from infested countries. Considering the criteria within the remit of EFSA to assess its status as a potential Union quarantine pest (QP) or as a potential regulated non‐quarantine pest (RNQP), S. citri meets with no uncertainties the criteria assessed by EFSA for consideration as a potential Union QP.

The Panel on Plant Health performed a pest categorisation of Nacobbus aberrans (Nematoda: Pratylenchidae), the false root‐knot nematode, for the EU. The nematode was originally described from the American continent. Due to differences in host range as well as molecular variability among populations, N. aberrans should be regarded as a species complex (N. aberrans sensu lato). All populations belonging to this species complex are pests of important host plants in the EU. N. aberrans had been detected indoors in the EU in the 1950s and 1960s but is no longer reported to be present in the EU. It is regulated by Council Directive 2000/29/EC, listed in Annex IAI as N. aberrans (Thorne) Thorne and Allen. Species within the N. aberrans complex are endoparasitic with migratory and sedentary stages. They are highly polyphagous attacking many plant species. They are also found in soil where they can survive dry conditions and freezing temperatures. Plants for planting and soil are potential pathways for this nematode. Climatic conditions in the EU are similar to those found in the countries where the pest is present. Hosts of the nematode from which high‐yield losses have been reported include potato, sugar beet, tomato and beans. The nematode only moves short distances (around 1m) but may be spread with plants and soil moving activities. Measures are available to inhibit EU entry via potatoes and soil as such but not all host plants are covered by current legislation. Entry of the nematode with plants and soil attached to plants for planting that are not regulated is therefore possible. N. aberrans does satisfy all the criteria that are within the remit of EFSA to assess to be regarded as a Union quarantine pest.