70th Meeting of the Panel on Phytosanitary Measures
Budapest, 2023-10-05/07
The Panel met on 2023-10-05/07 in Budapest. The main task of this Panel is to evaluate risks presented by specific pests and design phytosanitary measures to avoid their introduction and spread.
Group photo of the Panel on Phytosanitary Measures
EPPO Lists of pests recommended for regulation
Recommendations for regulation by EPPO are made either based on EPPO pest risk analyses (PRAs) or non-EPPO PRA reports.
The Panel reviewed in detail an EPPO PRA prepared by an Expert Working Group (EWG) on Agrilus mali (Coleoptera, Buprestidae) and recommended to the Working Party the addition of this pest to the EPPO A2 List.
Recent information received on the situation for Chrysanthemum stem necrosis virus, Saperda candida (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae), Unaspis citri (Hemiptera: Diaspididae), Ripersiella hibisci (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae), Diaphorina citri (Hemiptera: Psyllidae; vector of ‘Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus’) and Scirtothrips aurantii (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) was shared with the Panel: contacts will be established to ask for information on surveillance of R. hibisci under outdoor conditions before deciding whether the pest should be moved or not to the EPPO A2 List. The other pests are maintained on the EPPO A1 List.
Pest Risk Analysis
During the Panel, the following national/EU PRAs were discussed:
- EFSA pest categorization
, EFSA quantitative risk assessment , DROPSA datasheet and Quickscan from the Netherlands on Resseliella citrifrugis (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) - EFSA pest categorization on Toumeyella parvicornis (Hemiptera: Coccidae)
- EFSA pest categorization on Oligonychus mangiferus (Acarida: Tetranychidae): after a review of all these documents, the Panel decided that PRA reports should be prepared on these pests.
- EFSA pest categorization , DEFRA PRA and Quickscan from the Netherlands on Phenacoccus solenopsis (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae): after a review of these documents, the Panel decided that more information about importance of the pest locally should be gathered before deciding whether a PRA report should be prepared.
- EFSA pest categorization and ANSES PRA on Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense Tropical race 4: even though these documents were not reviewed in detail following the usual process, the Panel considered that this information, along with the IPPC Prevention, preparedness and response guidelines justify that a PRA report should be prepared.
As requested by the Working Party in 2023, an update on new literature and scientific data available for tomato brown rugose fruit virus (ToBRFV) was given. The Panel decided that the EPPO PRA on ToBRFV should be updated, in particular with the new information available on resistance, efficacy of seed treatments, and on eradication.
Following the recommendations in 2022 by the Working Party that more surveys and a better understanding of the current situation for tomato mottle mosaic virus in the EPPO region should be sought, the surveillance data collected so far was shared with the Panel. Although the new data collected was quite limited, it seemed to indicate a not very widespread distribution in the EPPO region.
The Panel had an exchange of views on how to better use the EPPO Study on bark and ambrosia beetles of non-coniferous wood . Considering the recent introductions of such species in the region, the Panel suggested to rediscuss at its next meeting priorities for PRA of species coming from this Study.
‘Mosses and lichens’ was identified as an emerging pathway when the Panel reviewed the DEFRA PRA for Lambdina fiscellaria at a previous meeting. Some preliminary information collected on import volumes, type of commodity and origin was shared. The Panel recommended that an alert is given about the risk, that more information is collected from EPPO member countries, and suggested to ask, if possible, that inspections are performed.
The Panel discussed the establishment of a database of PRA experts and concluded that such a database was not necessary. If specific needs for expertise are identified in advance, this will be notified in advance to the EPPO member countries so that countries can propose related nominations.
A revision of the guidance document on PM 5/5 Decision-support scheme for an express Pest Risk Analysis was presented to the Panel. Additional needs for revision were identified during the meeting.
The Panel was in favour that once a year a document is prepared highlighting the EPPO PRAs over 10 years old, to promote discussion on their need for revision. In addition, Panel members are asked to regularly check whether any new information which affects the conclusions of EPPO PRAs is available and trigger revision of such documents.
Risk management measures
Following the analysis of deviations between EPPO PRA decisions and PM 8 Standards for the forestry sector, the Panel recommended that some PRA documents are revised i.e. on Oemona hirta (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae), Euwallacea fornicatus sensu lato (Coleoptera: Scolytinae) & Fusarium euwallaceae, and Megaplatypus mutatus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae). The other deviations noted need further discussion within or together with the Panel on Quarantine Pests for Forestry.
Update on projects
An update on discussions with the European Commission on a follow-up of the EU Quality Pest Project (RNQP Project) as well as information on Euphresco projects of interest for the Panel were given. The Panel was also made aware of the new project ´Strengthening phytosanitary research programming and collaboration: from European to global phytosanitary research coordination´ (EUPHRESCO III) (2023-2026) which was positively evaluated in the context of the EU Horizon Europe Topic WIDERA-2023-ERA-01-01.
The next Panel meetings are planned in 2024-03 and, in 2024-10 with a joint session with the Panel on Quarantine Pests for Forestry.