Pest categorisation of the non‐EU phytoplasmas of Cydonia Mill., Fragaria L., Malus Mill., Prunus L., Pyrus L., Ribes L., Rubus L. and Vitis L.
Résumé
Following a request from the European Commission, the EFSA Panel on Plant Health performed a pest
categorisation of nine phytoplasmas of Cydonia Mill., Fragaria L., Malus Mill., Prunus L., Pyrus L., Ribes L.,
Rubus L. and Vitis L. (hereafter “host plants”) known to occur only outside the EU or having a limited
presence in the EU. This opinion covers the (i) reference strains of ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma australiense’,
‘Ca. P. fraxini’, ‘Ca. P. hispanicum’, ‘Ca. P. trifolii’, ‘Ca. P. ziziphi’, (ii) related strains infecting the host plants
of ‘Ca. P. aurantifolia’, ‘Ca. P. pruni’, and ‘Ca. P. pyri’, and (iii) an unclassified phytoplasma causing
Buckland valley grapevine yellows. Phytoplasmas can be detected by available methods and are
efficiently transmitted by vegetative propagation, with plants for planting acting as a major entry
pathway and a long-distance spread mechanism. Phytoplasmas are also transmitted in a persistent and
propagative manner by some insect families of the Fulgoromorpha, Cicadomorpha and Sternorrhyncha
(order Hemiptera). No transovarial, pollen or seed transmission has been reported. The natural host
range of the categorised phytoplasmas varies from one to more than 90 plant species, thus increasing
the possible entry pathways. The host plants are 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 qualify as potential
regulated non-quarantine pests, because they are non-EU phytoplasmas.
