EUROPEAN AND MEDITERRANEAN PLANT PROTECTION ORGANIZATION

05-12104

Rhizoecus hibisci

Extracts of reports of EPPO Meetings

As mentioned on the introductory section of the Web page on PRA documents, PRA documents are working documents which have usually been produced by an assessor whose opinion may have been commented during Panel meetings and comments have usually not been included in the PRA documents but are found in Panel meeting reports. This document consists of extracts of EPPO Meetings’ discussions on Pest Risk Analysis documents on the relevant pest. Discussions on Pest Specific Phytosanitary Requirements (PSPR)[1], have also been reported when relevant as they include elements on possible risk management options.

Report of the 32nd meeting of the Panel on Phytosanitary Measures (Paris, 2000-01-18/21)

5 Potential EPPO quarantine pests

5.2 Remaining pests in the Annexes of EU Directive 77/93

Dr Smith (Chairman) recalled that EPPO had studied all the pests from the Annexes of EU Directive 77/93 to decide which pests should be added to EPPO quarantine lists. The final decision, to add or not to add, had now been taken for most pests. However, some cases had been studied at previous meetings and no decisions had been taken. These were: Aonidiella citrina, citrus ringspot 'virus', Eotetranychus lewisi, lime witches' broom phytoplasma, Phaeoramularia angolensis, Rhizoecus hibisci, "Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. citrumelo". Mr Finelli reported that A. citrina was still present in a few outbreaks in Calabria (southern Italy) and that citrus ringspot virus was widespread. However, P. angolensis could be very important and could be spread by fruit. Moreover, little knowledge was available on lime witches' broom, which should be better studied. Mr Unger reported that R. hibisci had been intercepted in the Netherlands.

Mrs Petter reported that the Panel had decided at the last meeting that these pests would not be studied further unless new information was available at this meeting. Dr Smith (Chairman) noted that P. angolensis had been held over by the Secretariat that should have sought further information and had not done so. Moreover, no documentation had ever been presented for R. hibisci, and an analysis should be done. Dr Smith (Chairman) wondered whether data sheets should be prepared for the pests recently added in EU Directive 77/93, although EPPO had decided not to add them.

The Panel decided that Aonidiella citrina, citrus ringspot 'virus', Eotetranychus lewisi, lime witches' broom phytoplasma, "Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. citrumelo" should not be added to the EPPO lists. The Secretariat should investigate further the cases of Phaeoramularia angolensis and Rhizoecus hibisci.

Dr Smith (Chairman) suggested that the EU-listed pests which have not been accepted by EPPO could be indicated in an item in the Reporting Service, alongside those which had; this would mark the end of the "harmonization" operation. Mr Pemberton disagreed and thought that it would be sufficient to inform the EU Commission. Mr Unger supported this view, arguing that this was a strictly European matter.

The Panel concluded that a report on completion of the harmonization operation should be made to the Working Party.

33rd Meeting of the Panel on Phytosanitary Measures (Paris, OIE, 2001-01-23/26)

8.2 Remaining pests listed in the Annexes of EU Directive 77/93

8.2.2 Rhizoecus hibisci

Dr Smith (Chairman) reported that this was the last pest listed on the EU Directive for which no decision had been taken in EPPO. The Secretariat had not been able to document it, and he wondered whether there was any documentation. Mr Pemberton noted that UK had performed a simple pest risk assessment and that this pest had always been considered as having a serious potential for northern Europe. Dr Smith (Chairman) was inclined to propose addition in order to finish comparison of EU and EPPO lists.

The Panel recommends to the Working Party the addition of this pest to the A1 list.

39th Meeting of the Working Party on Phytosanitary Regulations (Irkutsk, Russia, 2001-06-25/28)

13.  EPPO lists of quarantine pests

13.1  Additions

13.1.4 from EU Directive: Phaeoramularia angolensis, Rhizoecus hibisci

Phaeoramularia angolensis and Rhizoecus hibisci were the last two pests remaining in the comparison of EPPO lists with the EU Directive. In view of the documentation presented to it, the Working Party favoured to the addition of Phaeoramularia angolensis and Rhizoecus hibisci to the A1 list. Suitable quarantine requirements have already been defined in the EU Directive. The comparison of EPPO lists with EU Directive 2000/29 is now complete.

The Working Party recommended to Executive Committee and Council the addition of Phaeoramularia angolensis and Rhizoecus hibisci to EPPO A1 quarantine list.

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[1] formerly called Specific Quarantine Requirements (SQR)