NAME OF THE ORGANISM: Ditylenchus destructor (DITYDE)
GENERAL INFORMATION ON THE PEST
Name as submitted in the project specification (if different to the preferred name):
Pest category:
Nematoda
1- Identity of the pest/Level of taxonomic listing:
Is the organism clearly a single taxonomic entity and can it be adequately distinguished from other entities of the same rank?
Yes
Is the pest defined at the species level or lower?:
Yes
Can listing of the pest at a taxonomic level higher than species be supported by scientific reasons or can species be identified within the taxonomic rank which are the (main) pests of concern?
- Not relevant: Seed potato sector
Is it justified that the pest is listed at a taxonomic rank below species level?
Not relevant
Conclusion:
- Not evaluated: Seed potato sector
2 – Status in the EU:
Is this pest already a quarantine pest for the whole EU?
No
Presence in the EU:
Yes
List of countries (EPPO Global Database):
Austria (2014); Belgium (2007); Bulgaria (2001); Czech Republic (2001); Estonia (2008); France (2001); Germany (2014); Greece (2001); Hungary (1992); Ireland (1998); Latvia (1998); Luxembourg (2001); Netherlands (2015); Poland (2012); Romania (2011); Slovakia (1996); Sweden (1992); United Kingdom (2001); United Kingdom/England (2014); United Kingdom/Scotland (2014)
Conclusion:
candidate
Justification (if necessary):
The Standing Committee agreed in February 2015 to request EFSA for a complete Pest Risk Assessment before taking a decision about the future regulatory status of this pest in the EU (EU COM, 2015). This complete PRA was published in 2016 (EFSA-PLH 2016). Data of the presence of this pest on the EU territory are available in EPPO Global Database (https://gd.eppo.int/). The nematode is sporadically present in the majority of EU Member States (EFSA, 2014).
HOST PLANT N°1: Solanum tuberosum (SOLTU) for the Seed potato sector.
Origin of the listing:
IIA2AWG
Plants for planting:
Plants intended for planting, other than [true] seeds
3 - Is the pest already listed in a PM4 standard on the concerned host plant?
Yes
Conclusion:
Qualified
CONCLUSION ON THE STATUS:
Recommended for listing as an RNQP - based on EPPO PM 4 Standard. The Seed potato SEWG supported RNQP status also based on potential impact and the effectiveness of current measures.
8 - Tolerance level:
Is there a need to change the Tolerance level:
No
Proposed Tolerance levels:
Zero tolerance, on the basis of visual inspection of the tubers.
Justification (if necessary):
The SEWG considered whether to apply a zero tolerance or count the pest in with other dry rot causing organisms. It was noted that symptoms may be seen in the crop in some circumstances and that there are some specific symptoms which can be seen in the tubers.
9 - Risk management measures:
Is there a need to change the Risk management measure:
Yes
Proposed Risk management measure:
Post harvest tuber inspection for each lot with no symptoms seen. Any lots in which Ditylenchus destructor is found may not be marketed as seed potatoes.
Justification (if necessary):
PM 4/28 recommended that the crop should be planted in a plot not known to be infected with D. destructor. The SEWG concluded that the criteria ‘not known to be infected with’ doesn’t give enough guaranties.
REFERENCES:
- EFSA Panel on Plant Health (PLH) (2014) Scientific Opinion on the pest categorisation of Ditylenchus destructor Thorne. EFSA Journal 2014;12(9):3834. 31 pp. doi:10.2903/j.efsa.2014.3834
- EU COM (2015) Recommendation of the Working Group on the Annexes of the Council Directive 2000/29/EC – Section II – Listing of Harmful Organisms as regards the future listing of Ditylenchus destructor Thorne;