Regulated non-quarantine pest Project

An EU funded project for the benefit of the whole EPPO region




NAME OF THE ORGANISM: Citrus exocortis viroid (CEVD00)


GENERAL INFORMATION ON THE PEST

Name as submitted in the project specification (if different to the preferred name):
 
exocortis

Pest category:
 
Viruses and viroids


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: Ornamental sector
Is it justified that the pest is listed at a taxonomic rank below species level?
 
Not relevant

Conclusion:
 
  • Candidate: Ornamental sector
Justification (if necessary):
 
Overall, methods for reliable detection and identification/discrimination of pospiviroids are available, although their high sensitivity implies the risk of false-positive reactions because of cross-contamination. These techniques are already widely used by EU MS as indicated by the answers received to the questionnaire sent by EFSA (EFSA PLH, 2011).

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 (2010); Belgium (2014); Cyprus (2011); Czech Republic (2010); France (1979); France/Corse (1994); Germany (2008); Greece (2013); Italy (2011); Italy/Sicilia (1994); Italy/Sardegna (1994); Netherlands (2008); Portugal (2006); Slovenia (2011); Spain (1979)

Conclusion:
 
candidate

Justification (if necessary):
 
Data of the presence of this pest on the EU territory are available in EPPO Global Database (https://gd.eppo.int/).

HOST PLANT N°1: Citrus (1CIDG) for the Ornamental sector.


Origin of the listing:
 
Commission Directive 93/49/EEC

Plants for planting:
 
Plants intended for planting


3 - Is the pest already listed in a PM4 standard on the concerned host plant?
 
Yes
 
Conclusion:
 
Qualified

 
Justification (if necessary):
 
It is not specified in EPPO PM 4/12 Standard that the certification scheme does not apply for ornamental Citrus.


CONCLUSION ON THE STATUS:
 
Recommended for listing as an RNQP, based on EPPO PM 4 Standard.


8 - Tolerance level:

Is there a need to change the Tolerance level:
 
Yes

Proposed Tolerance levels:
 
Zero tolerance, based on visual examination (Experts recommended extrapolating the measures from the fruit Marketing Directive).

9 - Risk management measures:

Is there a need to change the Risk management measure:
 
Yes

Proposed Risk management measure:
 
(A) Derived from mother plants which have been inspected and found free from the pest;
AND
(B) Site of production found free from the pest over the last complete growing season by visual inspection of the plants at the appropriate time.

Justification (if necessary):
 
Experts considered that the Pest free area option is not reliable because of the risk linked to ornamentals sold all year long in the area.

REFERENCES:
  • EFSA Panel on Plant Health (PLH) (2011) Scientific Opinion on the assessment of the risk of solanaceous pospiviroids for the EU territory and the identification and evaluation of risk management options. EFSA Journal 9, 2330. Available online: www.efsa.europa.eu/efsajournal.htm;
  • EFSA Panel on Plant Health (PLH) (2008) Scientific Opinion of the Panel on Plant Heath on a request from the European Commission on Pest risk assessment made by France on Citrus exocortis viroid (CEVd) considered by France as harmful in French overseas department of Réunion. The EFSA Journal 685, 1-17;