Pest categorisation of non‐EU viruses and viroids of Cydonia Mill., Malus Mill. and Pyrus L.

Abstract

Following a request from the EU Commission, the Panel on Plant Health performed a pest categorisation of 17 viruses and viroids, herein called viruses, of Cydonia Mill., Malus Mill. and Pyrus L. determined as being either non‐EU or of undetermined standing in a previous EFSA opinion. These viruses belong to different genera and are heterogeneous in their biology. They can be detected by available methods and are efficiently transmitted by vegetative propagation techniques, with plants for planting representing a major long‐distance spread mechanism and, potentially, a major entry pathway. Depending on the viruses, additional pathway(s) can also be seed, pollen and/or vector transmission. Most of the viruses categorised here are known to infect only one of few related plant genera, but some of them have a wider host range, thus extending the possible entry pathways. Three viruses (apple necrotic mosaic virus, cherry rasp leaf virus, temperate fruit decay‐associated virus) and one viroid (apple fruit crinkle viroid) satisfy all the criteria to be considered as Union quarantine pests. Five viruses (apple green crinkle‐associated virus, blackberry chlorotic ringspot virus, eggplant mottled crinkle virus, tobacco ringspot virus and tomato ringspot virus) and one viroid (apple scar skin viroid), satisfy the criteria to be considered as Union quarantine pests with the possible exception of being absent from the EU territory or having a restricted presence and being under official control. The remaining six viruses (apple geminivirus, apple latent spherical virus, apple‐associated luteovirus, Pyrus pyrifolia cryptic virus, Pyrus pyrifolia partitivirus 2 and Tulare apple mosaic virus) and one viroid (apple hammerhead viroid) were not found to satisfy one or more of these criteria. The Panel highlights that for several viruses, especially those recently discovered, the categorisation is associated with high uncertainties mainly linked to the absence of data on biology and distribution. Since this opinion addresses specifically the non‐EU viruses, in general these viruses do not meet the criteria assessed by EFSA to qualify as a potential Union regulated non‐quarantine pests.

Pest categorisation of non‐EU viruses of Rubus L.

“…With regard to TRSV and ToRSV, as discussed in a previous EFSA opinion (EFSA PLH Panel, ) ’the viruses have been sporadically detected in some MSs, but the reports, generally old, have not been followed by extensive spread, thus suggesting that the virus remains restricted. Moreover, identification of these viruses has been followed by eradication efforts therefore TRSV and ToRSV detected in MSs are generally under eradication or have been already eradicated (e.g.…”

“…Five of the viruses of Rubus addressed here (CRLV, GRBV, SNSV, ToRSV, TRSV) are also able to infect Malus, Pyrus, Cydonia, Fragaria, Prunus , Ribes and/or Vitis and have therefore also been addressed previously in the pest categorisation on non‐EU viruses and viroids of Cydonia, Malus and Pyrus (EFSA PHL Panel, ), Vitis (EFSA PHL Panel, ), Prunus (EFSA PHL Panel, ), Fragaria (EFSA PHL Panel, ) and Ribes (EFSA PHL Panel, ).…”

Pest categorisation of non‐EU viruses and viroids of potato

“…The following viruses and viroids have been addressed by EFSA in previous scientific opinions: beet curly top virus (EFSA PLH Panel, 2017), capsicum chlorosis virus (EFSA PLH Panel, 2012a), cherry rasp leaf virus (EFSA PLH Panel, 2013a,b, 2019a, chrysanthemum stunt viroid (EFSA PLH Panel, 2011, 2012b, groundnut bud necrosis virus (EFSA PLH Panel, 2012a), groundnut ringspot virus (EFSA PLH Panel, 2012a), tomato chlorotic spot virus (EFSA PLH Panel, 2012a), tomato planta macho viroid (EFSA PLH Panel, 2011), tomato ringspot virus (EFSA PLH Panel, 2013a, 2019a, tomato yellow leaf curl virus (EFSA PLH Panel, 2013b, 2014, tomato yellow ring virus (EFSA PLH Panel, 2012a), tomato zonate spot virus (EFSA PLH Panel, 2012a). Following exchange with the European Commission, it was decided that they will not be further considered in the present categorisation.…”

Pest categorisation of non‐EU viruses of Ribes L.

“…With regard to ToRSV, as discussed in a previous EFSA opinion (EFSA PLH Panel, 2019b) ‘the viruses have been sporadically detected in some MSs, but the reports, generally old, have not been followed by extensive spread, thus suggesting that the virus remains restricted. Moreover, identification of these viruses has been followed by eradication efforts therefore (…) ToRSV detected in MSs are generally under eradication or have been already eradicated (e.g.…”

“…One of the viruses of Ribes addressed here (ToRSV) is also able to infect Malus, Pyrus, Cydonia, Fragaria, Prunus and/or Vitis and has therefore also been addressed previously in the pest categorisation on non‐EU viruses and viroids of Cydonia, Malus and Pyrus (EFSA PLH Panel, 2019b), Vitis (EFSA PLH Panel, 2019c), Prunus (EFSA PLH Panel, 2019d) and Fragaria (EFSA PLH Panel, 2019e). Non‐EU viruses of Rubus L. will be addressed in another opinion.…”