NAME OF THE ORGANISM: Pectobacterium* (Wet rot) 1PECBG*

GENERAL INFORMATION ON THE PEST

Name as submitted in the project specification (if different):

Wet rot

Pest category:

Bacteria

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?:

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?

Yes: Seed potato sector

If necessary, please list the species:

Is it justified that the pest is listed at a taxonomic rank below species level?

Not relevant

Conclusion:

Not evaluated: Seed potato sector

Justification (if necessary):

As wet rot symptoms (caused by Pectobacterium and Dickeya) are associated to a bacterial species complex, as these bacteria cause similar damage, as the work on species identification is still in progress, experts concluded that a listing at the Genus level (Pectobacterium and Dickeya) is more appropriate.

2 – Status in the EU:

Is this pest already a quarantine pest for the whole EU?

Presence in the EU:

Yes

List of countries (EPPO Global Database):

Conclusion:

candidate

Justification (if necessary):

Pectobacterium carotovorum subsp. carotovorum is present in Finland, Netherlands, Scotland and France (Euphresco, 2015) and in lots of other EU Member States (CABI, 2016). Pectobacterium atrosepticum is present in Scotland, Finland and France (Euphresco, 2015) and in lots of other EU Member States (CABI, 2016). P. wasabiae is present in Scotland, Finland and France (Euphresco, 2015). P. carotovorum subsp. brasiliense is present in Scotland (limited), Switzerland and France.

HOST PLANT N°1: Solanum tuberosum (SOLTU) for the Seed potato sector.

Origin of the listing:

5 - Seed potato sector: Council Directive 2002/56/EC

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

Justification (if necessary):

Pest already listed in the EPPO PM 4 Standard under the dry/wet rot symptoms. See Blackleg for a complete evaluation of the RNQP Status.

4 - Are the listed plants for planting the main* pathway for the "pest/host/intended use" combination? (*: significant compared to others):

Conclusion:

Justification:

5 - Economic impact:

Are there documented reports of any economic impact on the host?

Justification:

What is the likely economic impact of the pest irrespective of its infestation source in the absence of phytosanitary measures? (= official measures)

Is the economic impact due to the presence of the pest on the named host plant for planting, acceptable to the propagation and end user sectors concerned?

Is there unacceptable economic impact caused to other hosts (or the same host with a different intended use) produced at the same place of production due to the transfer of the pest from the named host plant for planting?

Conclusion:

Justification:

6 - Are there feasible and effective measures available to prevent the presence of the pest on the plants for planting at an incidence above a certain threshold (including zero) to avoid an unacceptable economic impact as regards the relevant host plants?

Conclusion:

Justification:

7- Is the quality of the data sufficient to recommend the pest to be listed as a RNQP?

Conclusion:

Justification:

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:

Proposed Tolerance levels:

9 - Risk management measures:

Is there a need to change the Risk management measure:

Proposed Risk management measure:

REFERENCES:

UNECE (2014) UNECE Standard S-1 concerning the marketing and commercial quality control of Seed Potatoes. UNECE Guide to Seed Potato Diseases, Pests and Defects. Available at http://www.unece.org/tradewelcome/steering-committee-on-trade-capacity-and-standards/tradeagr/brochures-and-publications/potato-diseases-and-pests.html;