Pest categorisation of non-EU viruses and viroids of potato

Invasive potential of tropical fruit flies in temperate regions under climate change

Tropical fruit flies are considered among the most economically important invasive species detected in temperate areas of the United States and the European Union. Detections often trigger quarantine and eradication programs that are conducted without a holistic understanding of the threat posed. Weather-driven physiologically-based demographic models are used to estimate the geographic range, relative abundance, and threat posed by four tropical tephritid fruit flies (Mediterranean fruit fly, melon fly, oriental fruit fly, and Mexican fruit fly) in North and Central America, and the European-Mediterranean region under extant and climate change weather (RCP8.5 and A1B scenarios). Most temperate areas under tropical fruit fly propagule pressure have not been suitable for establishment, but suitability is predicted to increase in some areas with climate change. To meet this ongoing challenge, investments are needed to collect sound biological data to develop mechanistic models to predict the geographic range and relative abundance of these and other invasive species, and to put eradication policies on a scientific basis.

Pest categorisation of the non-EU phytoplasmas of tuber-forming Solanum spp

Following a request from the European Commission, the EFSA Panel on Plant Health performed a pest categorisation of four phytoplasmas of tuber-forming Solanum spp. known to occur only outside the EU or having a limited presence in the EU. The only tuber-forming species of Solanum reported to be phytoplasma infected is S. tuberosum. This opinion covers 'Candidatus Phytoplasma americanum', 'Ca. P. aurantifolia'-related strains (GD32; St_JO_10, 14, 17; PPT-SA; Rus-343F; PPT-GTO29, -GTO30, -SINTV; Potato Huayao Survey 2; Potato hair sprouts), 'Ca. P. fragariae'-related strains (YN-169, YN-10G) and 'Ca. P. pruni'-related strains (Clover yellow edge; Potato purple top AKpot7, MT117, AKpot6; PPT-COAHP, -GTOP). Phytoplasmas can be detected by molecular methods and are efficiently transmitted by vegetative propagation. Phytoplasmas are also transmitted in a persistent and propagative manner by some insects belonging to families within Cicadomorpha, Fulgoromorpha and Sternorrhyncha (order Hemiptera). No transovarial, pollen or seed transmission has been reported. The reported natural host range of the phytoplasmas categorised here varies from restricted ('Ca. P. americanum', and 'Ca. P. fragariae'-related strains) to wide ('Ca. P. aurantifolia'-related strains and 'Ca. P. pruni'-related strains), thus increasing the possible entry pathways in the latter case. S. tuberosum is widely cultivated in the EU. All the categorised phytoplasmas can enter and spread through the trade of host plants for planting, and by vectors. Establishment of these phytoplasmas is not expected to be limited by EU environmental conditions. The introduction of these phytoplasmas in the EU would have an economic impact. There are measures to reduce the risk of entry, establishment, spread and impact. Uncertainties result from limited information on distribution, biology and epidemiology. All the phytoplasmas categorised here meet the criteria evaluated by EFSA to qualify as potential Union quarantine pests, and they do not meet all the criteria to qualify as potential regulated non-quarantine pests, because they do not occur or are not known to be widespread in the EU.

Pest categorisation of potato virus S (non-EU isolates)

Following a request from the EU Commission, the Panel on Plant Health has addressed the pest categorisation of non‐EU isolates of potato virus S (PVS). The information currently available on geographical distribution, biology, epidemiology, potential entry pathways, potential additional impact compared to the current situation in the EU, and availability of control measures of non‐EU isolates of PVS has been evaluated with regard to the criteria to qualify as potential Union quarantine pest. Because non‐EU isolates of PVS are absent from the EU, they do not meet one of the requirements to be regulated as an RNQP (presence in the EU); as a consequence, the Panel decided not to evaluate the other RNQP criteria for these isolates. Populations of PVS can be subdivided into two strains: the ordinary strain (PVS‐O) with a worldwide distribution (including the EU), and the Andean strain (PVS‐A) which is absent from the EU or considered to have at most a limited distribution in the EU. Two additional divergent isolates (PVS‐A/PVS‐O recombinants and PVS‐arracacha) have also been categorised. Non‐EU isolates of PVS‐A are expected to have an additional impact as compared to the PVS isolates currently present in the EU, and therefore meet all the criteria to qualify as potential Union quarantine pests; the magnitude of the additional impact is, however, unknown. Non‐EU isolates of PVS‐A/PVS‐O recombinants and of PVS‐arracacha also meet these criteria, with the exception of the criterion regarding the potential additional consequences in the EU territory for which the Panel was unable to conclude. Non‐EU PVS‐O isolates are not expected to have an additional impact in the EU as compared to EU isolates and therefore do not meet the corresponding criterion.

Pest categorisation of potato virus V (non-EU isolates)

Following a request from the EU Commission, the Panel on Plant Health has addressed the pest categorisation of non‐EU isolates of potato virus V (PVV). The information currently available on geographical distribution, biology, epidemiology, potential entry pathways, potential additional impact and availability of control measures of non‐EU isolates of PVV has been evaluated with regard to the criteria to qualify as a potential Union quarantine pest. Because non‐EU isolates of PVV are absent from the EU, they do not meet one of the requirements to be regulated as a regulated non‐quarantine pest (RNQP) (presence in the EU); as a consequence, the Panel decided not to evaluate the other RNQP criteria for these isolates. This categorisation was performed considering two lineages, PVV‐I (present in and outside the EU) and PVV‐II (not reported in the EU), and isolate PVV‐PA4 (unknown distribution). Non‐EU isolates of PVV‐I and PVV‐PA4 do not meet one of the criteria evaluated by EFSA to be regarded as a potential Union quarantine pest, since they are not expected to have an additional impact in the EU. With the exception of the criterion regarding the potential consequences in the EU territory, for which the Panel is unable to conclude, non‐EU isolates of PVV‐II meet all the other criteria to qualify as a potential Union quarantine pest.

Pest categorisation of potato virus A (non-EU isolates)

Following a request from the EU Commission, the Panel on Plant Health has addressed the pest categorisation of non‐EU isolates of potato virus A (PVA). The information currently available on geographical distribution, biology, epidemiology, potential entry pathways, potential additional impact over the current situation and availability of control measures of non‐EU isolates of PVA has been evaluated with regard to the criteria to qualify as potential Union quarantine pest. Because non‐EU isolates of PVA are absent from the EU, they do not meet one of the requirements to be regulated as a regulated non‐quarantine pest (RNQP) (presence in the EU); as a consequence, the Panel decided not to evaluate the other RNQP criteria for these isolates. This categorisation was performed considering two groups of isolates: those reported in Solanum betaceum (PVA‐TamMV, not reported from the EU) and all other isolates (hereafter referred to as PVA, worldwide distribution). Non‐EU isolates of PVA and of PVA‐TamMV do not meet one of the criteria evaluated by EFSA to be regarded as a potential Union quarantine pest, since they are not expected to have an additional impact in the EU.

Pest categorisation of potato virus X (non-EU isolates)

Following a request from the EU Commission, the Panel on Plant Health has addressed the pest categorisation of non‐EU isolates of potato virus X (PVX). The information currently available on geographical distribution, biology, epidemiology, potential entry pathways, potential additional impact and availability of control measures of non‐EU isolates of PVX has been evaluated with regard to the criteria to qualify as a potential Union quarantine pest. Because non‐EU isolates of PVX are absent from the EU, they do not meet one of the requirements to be regulated as a regulated non‐quarantine pest (RNQP) (presence in the EU); as a consequence, the Panel decided not to evaluate the other RNQP criteria for these isolates. On the basis of their ability to overcome potato resistance genes, PVX isolates can be divided into several pathotypes. PVX isolates that are not able to overcome resistance genes and PVX isolates that are able to overcome the Nb and/or Nx resistance genes are already present in the EU. Isolates able to overcome the Rx resistance gene have only been reported from South America. These Rx breaking isolates could potentially have an additional impact over the current situation in the EU and therefore meet all the criteria to qualify as a potential Union quarantine pest. All other non‐EU isolates, should they be introduced, are not expected to have additional impact and therefore do not meet this criterion to qualify as a potential Union quarantine pest.

Pest categorisation of potato virus Y (non-EU isolates)

Following a request from the EU Commission, the Panel on Plant Health has addressed the pest categorisation of non‐EU isolates of potato virus Y (PVY). The information currently available on geographical distribution, biology, epidemiology, potential entry pathways and potential additional impact of non‐EU isolates of PVY, has been evaluated with regard to the criteria to qualify as a potential Union quarantine pest. Because non‐EU isolates of PVY are absent from the EU, they do not meet one of the requirements to be regulated as a regulated non‐quarantine pest (RNQP) (presence in the EU); as a consequence, the Panel decided not to evaluate the other RNQP criteria for these isolates. Populations of PVY can be subdivided into several strains and groups of isolates: strain C (PVY‐C), strain N (PVY‐N), strain O (PVY‐O) and a wide range of recombinant isolates (PVY‐recombinants) which have a worldwide distribution (including the EU). Two groups of isolates, i.e. the Brazilian (PVY‐Br) and Chilean (PVY‐Ch) isolates, are considered absent from the EU. Non‐EU isolates of PVY‐C, PVY‐N, PVY‐O and PVY‐recombinants identified so far are not expected to have an additional impact in the EU compared to the PVY isolates already present and, therefore, do not meet the corresponding criterion to qualify as a potential Union quarantine pest. The Panel is unable to conclude on the potential additional impact of isolates of PVY‐Br and PVY‐Ch in the EU territory, but these isolates meet all the other criteria to qualify as potential Union quarantine pests.

Pest categorisation of potato leafroll virus (non-EU isolates)

Following a request from the EU Commission, the Panel on Plant Health has addressed the pest categorisation of non-EU isolates of potato leafroll virus (PLRV). The information currently available on geographical distribution, biology, epidemiology, potential entry pathways, potential additional impact and availability of control measures of non-EU isolates of PLRV has been evaluated with regard to the criteria to qualify as a potential Union quarantine pest. Because non-EU isolates of PLRV are absent from the EU, they do not meet one of the requirements to be regulated as a regulated non-quarantine pest (RNQP) (presence in the EU); as a consequence, the Panel decided not to evaluate the other RNQP criteria for these isolates. This categorisation was performed considering two groups of PLRV isolates: those associated with the tomato yellow top disease (PLRV-TYTV), not reported from the EU, and all other isolates (hereafter referred to as PLRV), with a worldwide distribution. Isolates of PLRV-TYTV could potentially have an additional impact over the current situation in the EU and therefore meet all the criteria to qualify as a potential Union quarantine pest. All other non-EU PLRV isolates, should they be introduced, are not expected to have additional impact and therefore do not meet this criterion to qualify as a potential Union quarantine pest.

Pest categorisation of potato virus M (non-EU isolates)

Following a request from the EU Commission, the Panel on Plant Health has addressed the pest categorisation of non-EU isolates of potato virus M (PVM). The information currently available on geographical distribution, biology, epidemiology, potential entry pathways, potential additional impact compared to the current situation in the EU and availability of control measures of non-EU isolates of PVM has been evaluated with regard to the criteria to qualify as a potential Union quarantine pest. Because non-EU isolates of PVM are absent from the EU, they do not meet one of the requirements to be regulated as a regulated non-quarantine pest (RNQP) (presence in the EU); as a consequence, the Panel decided not to evaluate the other RNQP criteria for these isolates. Populations of PVM can be subdivided into two strains: the ordinary strain (PVM-O) is present in the EU, while the divergent strain (PVM-D) is absent from the EU or considered to have at most a limited distribution in the EU. Non-EU isolates of PVM-O are not expected to have an additional impact in the EU compared to EU isolates and therefore do not meet the corresponding criterion to qualify as a potential Union quarantine pest. The Panel is unable to conclude on the potential impact of non-EU PVM-D isolates in the EU territory, but PVM-D isolates meet all the other criteria to qualify as a potential Union quarantine pest.