The Panel on Plant Health assessed the risk to plant health of Strawberry crinkle virus (SCV) for the European Union (EU) territory, and evaluated the current EU legislation and possible risk reduction options. This virus is widely distributed both within and outside Europe and the same applies to its main vector, the strawberry aphid, Chaetosiphon fragaefolii. At-risk hosts (Fragaria spp.) occur widely in Europe. Plants for planting were identified as the most significant entry pathway and the probability of entry is rated as unlikely to moderately likely with high uncertainty. The probability of establishment is rated as very likely with low uncertainty. The probability of local spread by natural means is moderately likely, with high uncertainty, whereas that of humanassisted long-distance spread is unlikely, with medium uncertainty. The potential consequences are rated as minimal to minor with medium uncertainty. Prohibition and restricting import or intra-EU trade to certified materials or to materials originating from pest-free areas or pest-free places of production are the options with highest effectiveness against the risks of introduction or against the risks of further spread. Prohibition and certification are also among the options of high or very high feasibility. In addition, it should be noted that the combination of options (cultural practices, certification, exclusion conditions, tolerant varieties) has an overall high to very high level of effectiveness and feasibility. The current legislation has few weaknesses: the reliance on visual inspection, as well as the exceptions or derogations offered to some countries in which SCV is present. If the current legislation were removed, no major consequences would be expected unless the industry simultaneously ceased its widely adopted certification activity, which seems unlikely given the potential consequences.
SUMMARYFollowing a request from the European Commission (EC), the EFSA Panel on Plant Health (PLH) was asked to deliver a scientific opinion on the pest risk of Strawberry crinkle virus (SCV) for the European Union (EU) territory and to identify risk reduction options and evaluate their effectiveness in reducing the risk to plant health posed by the organism. In particular, the Panel was asked to provide an opinion on the effectiveness of the current EU requirements against this organism, which are laid down in Council Directive 2000/29/EC, in reducing the risk of introduction of the pest into, and its spread within, the EU territory.The Panel conducted the pest risk assessment following the general principles of the 'Guidance on a harmonised framework for pest risk assessment and the identification and evaluation of pest risk management options' (EFSA PLH Panel, 2010) and of the 'Guidance on evaluation of risk reduction options' (EFSA PLH Panel, 2012). As SCV is already present in some EU Member States and has been regulated by the EU for many years, the Panel conducted the pest risk assessment taking into account the current EU plant ...