233 research outputs found

    Pest categorisation of Anthonomus quadrigibbus

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    The Panel on Plant Health performed a pest categorisation of the weevil Anthonomus quadrigibbus Say, (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), for the EU. A. quadrigibbus is a well-de fi ned and distinguishable species, recognised as an occasional pest of apples, pears and sour cherries in North America where it also feeds on a range of wild rosaceous plants such as Crataegus and Amelanchier . Adults feed on leaves, fl owers and fruit. Feeding damage to fruit reduces quality. Females oviposit into young fruit, causing surface blemishes and resulting in distortion as the fruit develops. Marketability is subsequently reduced. Larvae and pupae develop within host fruit. Most infested fruit fall prematurely, reducing yield. A. quadrigibbus was regarded as a more serious pest in the early 20th century. A. quadrigibbus is not known to occur in the EU and is listed in Annex IIAI of Council Directive 2000/29/EC under the synonym Tachypterellus quadrigibbus . Host plants for planting and infested fruit could potentially provide a pathway into the EU. Considering the climatic similarities between North America and Europe, and that wild and commercial hosts occur widely within the EU, A. quadrigibbus has the potential to establish within the EU. There would be one generation per year, as in North America. Impacts could be expected in apple, pear and perhaps sour cherry orchards. The level of impacts would be uncertain. There is also uncertainty regarding whether A. quadrigibbus would extend its host range to include other Rosaceae within the EU. Phytosanitary measures are available to reduce the likelihood of introduction of A. quadrigibbus . All criteria assessed by EFSA for consideration as a potential Union quarantine pest are met. As A. quadrigibbus is not known to occur in the EU, this criterion assessed by EFSA to consider it as a Union regulated non-quarantine pest is not met

    Pest categorisation of Gymnosporangium spp. (non-EU)

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    Following a request from the European Commission, the EFSA Panel on Plant Health performed a pest categorisation of Gymnosporangium spp. (non-EU), a well-defined and distinguishable group of fungal plant pathogens of the family Pucciniaceae affecting woody species. Many different Gymnosporangium species are recognised, of which at least 14 species are considered not to be native in the European Union. All the non-EU Gymnosporangium species are not known to be present in the EU and are regulated in Council Directive 2000/29/EC (Annex IAI) as harmful organisms whose introduction into the EU is banned. Gymnosporangium spp. are biotrophic obligate plant pathogens. These rust fungi are heteroecious as they require Juniperus, Libocedrus, Callitropsis, Chamaecyparis or Cupressus (telial hosts) and rosaceous plants of subfamily Pomoideae (aecial hosts) to complete their life cycle. The pathogens could enter the EU via host plants for planting (including artificially dwarfed woody plants) and cut branches. They could establish in the EU, as climatic conditions are favourable and hosts are common. They would be able to spread following establishment by movement of host plants for planting and cut branches, as well as by natural dispersal. Should Gymnosporangium spp. (non-EU) be introduced in the EU, impacts can be expected in orchards, ornamental trees and nurseries. On telial hosts, these pathogens cause galls on stems, twigs and branches, and fusiform swellings on stems. Foliar infections on aecial hosts may lead to severe defoliations. The main knowledge gap concerns the limited available information on the biology, distribution range and impact of several non-EU Gymnosporangium spp. The criteria assessed by the Panel for consideration of Gymnosporangium spp. (non-EU) as potential quarantine pests are met, while, for regulated non-quarantine pests, the criterion on the pest presence in the EU is not met

    Scientific Opinion on the risk to plant health posed by <em>Parasaissetia nigra</em> (Nietner) in the EU territory, with the identification and evaluation of risk reduction options

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    The Panel on Plant Health conducted a pest risk assessment for Parasaissetia nigra in the European Union (EU) and identified and evaluated the phytosanitary measures listed in Council Directive 2000/29/EC. Entry through the principal pathways is assessed as moderately likely for plants for planting and very unlikely for living parts of plants, such as fruit and cut flowers with foliage, the discrepancy being mainly due to the difference in probability of transfer to a suitable host. Establishment is rated as very likely outdoors in Mediterranean areas and indoors in the whole risk assessment area (where the pest has been present for a long time), and unlikely outdoors in non-Mediterranean areas. Spread within the EU is considered to be moderately likely because the pest can readily be moved with plant material but is limited by climatic conditions. The magnitude of the potential consequences is rated as minor. The Panel evaluated the effectiveness of current EU phytosanitary measures and concluded that the removal of P. nigra from Annex IIAII would not affect its probability of entry, because the importation from Third countries of some host plants regulated for P. nigra (Citrus, Fortunella, Poncirus species and their hybrids) is prohibited in Annex III. However, spread could be affected since there would no longer be a requirement to inspect for this pest before issuing a plant passport (Annex V). However, since the regulated Rutaceae species constitute only a very small proportion of the potential host plants of P. nigra,the current phytosanitary measures are mostly ineffective in preventing the further introduction and spread of P. nigra in the EU. The Panel identified surveillance at the production site and treatment of the consignment as the most effective and technically feasible risk reduction options, particularly when in combination

    Scientific Opinion on the risks to plant health posed by &lt;em&gt;Liriomyza huidobrensis&lt;/em&gt; (Blanchard) and &lt;em&gt;Liriomyza trifolii&lt;/em&gt; (Burgess) in the EU territory, with the identification and evaluation of risk reduction options

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    The Panel on Plant Health conducted a pest risk assessment for Liriomyza huidobrensis and Liriomyza trifolii in the European Union and identified and evaluated the phytosanitary measures listed in Council Directive 2000/29/EC. Entry on the principal pathways (plants for planting, cut flowers and leafy vegetables) is assessed as likely as the pests are regularly associated with the pathways at origin, survival during transport or storage is high and only partially affected by current pest management procedures, and transfer to a suitable host is likely as their hosts are so widespread. Establishment is rated as very likely because both species have established populations in most countries of the EU, with transient populations occurring outdoors in non-Mediterranean areas. Spread within the EU is considered to be likely because the pests can readily be moved with plant material. The magnitude of the potential consequences is rated as minor for both species in Mediterranean areas. In non-Mediterranean countries it is moderate for both species in protected crops but, outdoors, impacts are minor for L. huidobrensis and minimal for L. trifolii. The current regulations to prevent entry and spread were found to be only partially effective as interceptions are still being made, cut branches with foliage and leafy vegetables other than celery are excluded, and the methods for inspection and the treatments required to confirm pest free areas, places of production and consignments are not clearly specified. Removal of the legislation would have some advantages and disadvantages but may not have a major effect. The regulations could be tightened by including additional commodities, clearly prescribing the inspection procedures and the appropriate treatments to be used and combining these with other measures, e.g. screening. The application of protected zones to areas where the pests are not yet present can be applied to help prevent further spread

    Scientific Opinion on the pest categorisation of <em>Spodoptera littoralis</em>

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    The Panel on Plant Health undertook a pest categorisation of Spodoptera littoralis (Boisduval) for the territory of the European Union (EU). This insect is morphologically very similar to S. litura but the two species occupy very distinct geographical distributions, with only S. littoralis found in Europe and Africa. S. littoralis is established only in the southernmost parts of Europe where winters are not too cold. Long-distance northward migrations occur and the pest can also be transported throughout the EU with plants for planting. S. littoralis is highly polyphagous and it is an important pest of a very wide variety of outdoor vegetable, salad and ornamental crops in southern Europe. Field crops, such as lucerne, can also be affected, and even football pitches can be damaged. Population densities and damage vary considerably from year to year. Outbreaks also occur in protected crops, particularly ornamentals, throughout the EU. A very large number of insecticides are deployed to control this pest, which is resistant to many compounds. Resistance management and successful control of the pest can be obtained with mass trapping, mating disruption and attract-and-kill methods. S. littoralis is listed in Annex IAII and special requirements for S. littoralisare formulated in Annexes IVAI and IVAII of Council Directive 2000/29/EC to regulate the movement of plants for planting of three ornamental genera (Dendranthema, Dianthus and Pelargonium)

    Statement on the comments by Hattingh et al. (2014) on the EFSA PLH Panel (2014) Scientific Opinion on Citrus Black Spot

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    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

    Scientific Opinion on the pest categorisation of <em>Circulifer haematoceps</em> and <em>C. tenellus</em>

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    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

    Scientific Opinion on the risks to plant health posed by <em>Xylella fastidiosa</em> in the EU territory, with the identification and evaluation of risk reduction options

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    The EFSA Panel on Plant Health conducted a pest risk assessment and an evaluation of risk reduction options for Xylella fastidiosa. X. fastidiosa has been detected in olive in the EU with a distribution restricted to the region of Apulia in Italy and is under official control. X. fastidiosa has a very broad host range, including many common cultivated and wild plants. All xylem fluid-feeding insects in Europe are considered to be potential vectors. Philaenus spumarius (Hemiptera: Aphrophoridae), a polyphagous spittlebug widespread in the whole risk assessment area, has been identified as a vector in Apulia. The probability of entry of X. fastidiosa from countries where X. fastidiosa is reported is very high with plants for planting and moderate with infectious insect vectors carried with plant commodities or travelling as stowaways. Establishment and spread in the EU is very likely. The consequences are considered to be major because yield losses and other damage would be high and require costly control measures. The systematic use of insecticides for vector control may create environmental impacts. With regard to risk reduction options, strategies for the prevention of introduction and for the containment of outbreaks should focus on the two main pathways (plants for planting and infectious insect vectors) and combine the most effective options in an integrated approach. For plants for planting, these could be pest-free production areas, surveillance, certification, screened greenhouse production, vector control and testing for infection and, for some plant species, treatments (e.g. thermotherapy). To prevent entry of the infectious vectors, insecticide treatments and inspection of consignments and production sites are required. The Panel has also reviewed the effectiveness of risk reduction options for X. fastidiosa and its vectors listed in Directive 2000/29/EC and in the EU emergency measures. The Panel recommends the continuation and intensification of research on the host range, epidemiology and control of the Apulian outbreak
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