Baker, R., Caffier, D., Choiseul, J.W., De Clercq, P., Dormannsne-Simon, E., Gerowitt, B., Karadjova, O.E., Lövei, G., Oude Lansink, A., Makowski, David, Manceau, Charles, Manici, L., Perdikis, D., Porta Puglia, A., Schans, J., Schrader, G., Steffek, R., Strömberg, A., Tiilikkala, K., Van Lanteren, J.C., Vloutoglou, I., Central Science Laboratory, Laboratoire National de Protection des Végétaux (LNPV), Plant Health Division, Department of Agriculture and Food, Department of Crop Protection, Universiteit Gent = Ghent University [Belgium] (UGENT), Agricultural Office - Csongrad County Plant Health and Soil Conservation, Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. Institute for Land Use, University of Rostock, Plant Protection Institute [Budapest] (ATK NOVI), Centre for Agricultural Research [Budapest] (ATK), Hungarian Academy of Sciences (MTA)-Hungarian Academy of Sciences (MTA), Department of Integrated Pest Management. Flakkebjerg Research Centre, Danish Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Wageningen University and Research [Wageningen] (WUR), Agronomie, Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique (INRA)-AgroParisTech, Pathologie Végétale (PaVé), Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique (INRA)-AGROCAMPUS OUEST, Institut national d'enseignement supérieur pour l'agriculture, l'alimentation et l'environnement (Institut Agro)-Institut national d'enseignement supérieur pour l'agriculture, l'alimentation et l'environnement (Institut Agro), Research Institute for Industrial Crops (ISCI), Agricultural Research Council (CRA), Laboratory of Agricultural Zoology and Entomology, Agricultural University of Athens, Auteur indépendant, Dutch Plant Protection service, Department for Plant Health, Federal Biological Research Center, Austrian Agency for Health and Food Safety, Toxicology Division, Swedish National Food Administration, Agrifood Research Finland, Laboratory of Entomology, Plant Pathology Department, Benaki Phytopathological Institute, European Commission, Absent, Commanditaire : European Commission (Belgium), ProdInra, Archive Ouverte, Ghent University [Belgium] (UGENT), University of Rostock [Germany], Wageningen University and Research Centre [Wageningen] (WUR), and AgroParisTech-Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique (INRA)
Following a request from the European Commission, the Scientific Panel on Plant Health was asked to deliver a scientific opinion on 30 pest risk assessments made by France on organisms which are considered by France as harmful in four French overseas departments, i.e. French Guiana, Guadeloupe, Martinique and Réunion. In particular, the Panel was asked whether these organisms can be considered as harmful organisms for the endangered area of the above departments, in the meaning of the definition mentioned in Article 2.1.(e) of Directive 2000/29/EC and thus potentially eligible for addition to the list of harmful organisms in Directive 2000/29/EC.This document presents the opinion of the Panel on Plant Health on the full[1] pest risk assessment conducted by France on Brevipalpus californicus (Banks, 1904), Brevipalpus phoenicis (Geijskes, 1939) and Brevipalpus obovatus (Donnadieu, 1875)(Acari: Tenuipalpidae) with Guadeloupe and Martinique considered as endangered area.B. californicus, B. phoenicis and B. obovatus occur in tropical and subtropical climates. They also survive in greenhouse conditions beyond their natural range. These mites are polyphagous and their host range comprises over 900 plant species, including citrus. These three Brevipalpus species are considered to be the most economically important within the genus.B. californicus, B. phoenicis and B. obovatus cause chlorosis, blistering, bronzing or necrotic areas on leaves, fruits, stems, twigs and bud tissues of the infested host. However, mites of the genus Brevipalpus are of primary concern as virus vectors, particularly of citrus leprosis virus. Citrus leprosis virus (CiLV) causes one of the most serious virus diseases of citrus, associated with premature fruit drop, defoliation, and death of the twigs or branches. The damage caused by CiLV on citrus crops may lead to 100% yield loss.The Panel examined in detail the risk assessment provided, and considered the accuracy and quality of the information provided and methods applied for pest risk assessment purposes. The review was based on the principles of the International Standard on Phytosanitary Measures ISPM No. 11: Pest risk analysis for quarantine pests including analysis of environmental risks and living modified organisms (2004) by the International Plant Protection Convention (FAO, 2007b).Many statements in the French document are not referenced or supported by verifiable scientific data. Many referenced sources are quoted incorrectly which creates doubt about the accuracy of the information presented in the assessment. Transmission of CiLV by B. californicus, B. phoenicis and B. obovatus is highlighted as important, but information on the virus is not clearly presented nor taken fully into account in the analysis of entry pathways and assessment of the economic impact.The Panel agrees that the B. californicus, B. phoenicis and B. obovatus may enter, and can establish in the PRA area[2]. However, the Panel considers the ratings of “moderate” for the probability of entry and establishment in the PRA area to be higher, as additional ornamental and passenger pathways have not been investigated in the risk assessment and due to the cosmopolitan distribution of the species including areas of similar climate to the PRA area.The Panel agrees that the economic impact of the three Brevipalpus mites can be considered “moderate”, due to the importance of these species in transmission of CiLV and the presence of susceptible citrus species in the PRA area, particularly in Martinique where sweet orange represents a high proportion of the citrus produced. However, a high level of uncertainty is noted by the Panel with regard to whether these species are absent from the PRA area. Since the time the French assessment was undertaken, B. phoenicis has been reported from Guadeloupe. A survey is recommended to determine the extent to which Brevipalpus species may be present in the PRA area.On the basis that B. californicus, B. phoenicis and B. obovatus are not present in the PRA area, or are present but not widely distributed and under official control, the Panel concludes that the evaluation of pest risk management options are appropriate for Guadeloupe and Martinique and thus B. californicus, B. phoenicis and B. obovatus are potentially eligible for addition to the list of harmful organisms in Directive 2000/29/EC