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TOPIC: EFSA opinion: X.fastidiosa risk on plant health

EFSA opinion: X.fastidiosa risk on plant health 21 Jan 2015 15:10 #115

  • kFotia
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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 presents a major risk to the EU territory because it has the potential to cause disease in the risk assessment area once it establishes, as hosts (eg. Prunus cerasifera, Prunus dulcis, Nerium oleander, Acacia saligna, Polygala myrtifolia, Westringia fruticosa, Spartium junceum and Vinca spp etc) are present and the environmental conditions are favourable. All xylem fluid-feeding insects in Europe are considered to be potential vectors. (eg members of the families Cicadellidae, Aphrophoridae and Cercopidae as well as Cicadidae and Tibicinidae)

Probability of entry:

1)The association with the pathway at origin is rated as very likely for plants for planting because:
  • plants for planting have been found to be a source of the bacterium for outbreaks,
  • host plants can be asymptomatic and often remain undetected,
  • a very large number of plant species are recorded as hosts and
  • very high quantities of plants for planting are imported from countries where X. fastidiosa is reported.

    2)The ability of the bacteria surviving during transport is very likely.

    3)The probability of the pest surviving any existing management procedure is very likely.

    4)Additionally, the probability of transfer to a suitable host is rated as very likely, based on the intended use of the plant material for planting (rootstocks) or grafting (scions, budwood) and because host plants are extensively present in the risk assessment area. Insect vectors are also distributed throughout the risk assessment area.

    While entry of infectious insects risk is moderate because:

    1) is often associated with the pathway at the origin

    2) is moderately able to survive during transport or storage

    3) is affected by the current pest management procedures existing in the risk assessment area

    4)has some limitations for transfer to a suitable host in the risk assessment area.

    Probability of establishment: is very likely since:

    1) there is very high probability that the pathogen will find a suitable host (very large range of host plants and potential host plants),

    2) there is a wide distribution and polyphagy of known and potential vectors.

    3) there is also high probability of finding a climatically suitable environment with few adverse abiotic factors and no known effective natural enemies of X. fastidiosa.

    4) there is lack of effective cultural practices or control measures.

    There is also a high probability of spread of established infestations since:

    1) there is a large number of confirmed potential host plants

    2) there is a large number of known or potential vectors

    The overall potential consequences of X. fastidiosa in the European territory are rated as major considering the severe losses on olive in the Apulian outbreak, on citrus in South America and on grapes in North America. In commercial crops, when conditions are suitable for symptom expression and efficient insect vectors are present, yield losses and damage would be high and imply costly control measures. The disease also has a negative social impact since it is not readily controllable in smallholdings and family gardens. Depending on the host range of the X. fastidiosa subspecies introduced, major crops, ornamental plants or forest trees could be affected, as in other areas of the world. In addition to these elements, the use of insecticide may have environmental impacts. Breeding and nursery activities might also be affected.

    Since eradication has not been proved successful in other cases (Taiwan, Brazil) the priority should be to prevent introduction. Strategies for preventing the introduction from areas where the pathogen is present and for the containment of outbreaks should focus on the two main pathways (plants for planting and infectious insects) and be based on an integrated system approach, combining, when applicable, the most effective options (e.g. pest-free areas, surveillance, certification, screen house production, control of vectors and testing for plant propagation material, preparation, treatment and inspection of consignments for the pathway of the infectious vectors).

    The European Union adopted initially an implementing decision (2014/87/EU) substituded later by (2014/497/EU) in order to control infestation spread.

    You can read the whole article here:
    http://www.efsa.europa.eu/de/efsajournal/doc/3989.pdf
  • Last Edit: 21 Jan 2015 16:01 by kFotia.
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