EU emergency measures to avoid introduction and spread of Phytophthora ramorum
Since November 2002, emergency measures have been taken by the EU Member States to avoid introduction and spread of Phytophthora ramorum (EPPO Alert List).
- All Member States must carry surveys for the presence of P. ramorum.
- Within the EU: plant passports are required for the movement of plants and cut foliage of Viburnum and Rhododendron (except R. simsii) and the following requirements must be met:
Host plants should come from areas free from the disease, or no signs of P. ramorum must have been observed since the beginning of the last complete cycle of vegetation (inspections, including appropriate testing if necessary).
In cases where infections are found, plants can be moved only if the following conditions are fulfilled: all infected plants must be destroyed (as well as susceptible hosts within a radius of 2 m), additional inspections must be carried out twice within the following 3 months on all susceptible plants (within a radius of 10 m from the original findings) and these plants must be found free. All other susceptible plants at the place of production must be subject to intensive re-inspection and found free.
- For imports from USA: susceptible plants (Acer macrophyllum, Aesculus californica, Arbutus menziesii, Arctostaphylos, Heteromeles arbutifolia, Lithocarpus densiflorus, Lonicera hispidula, Quercus spp., Rhamnus californica, Rhododendron spp. (except R. simsii), Umbellularia californica, Vaccinium ovatum, Viburnum spp.) must originate from a pest-free area or from a place of production inspected and found free from P. ramorum.
Susceptible wood (Acer macrophyllum, Aesculus californica, Lithocarpus densiflorus, Quercus) must originate from a pest-free area or must have been debarked and treated (squared so as to remove completely the rounded surface, or water content is < 20%, or disinfected by a heat treatment). Sawn wood must have been kiln-dried.
Sources
Commission Decision (2002/757/EC) of 19 September 2002 on provisional emergency phytosanitary measures to prevent the introduction into and the spread within the Community of Phytophthora ramorum Werres, De Cock & Man in ‘t Veld sp. nov.
Official Journal of the European Communities, 2002-09-20, L. 252, 3739.