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Pest categorisation of Guignardia laricina

2018; Wiley; Volume: 16; Issue: 6 Linguagem: Inglês

10.2903/j.efsa.2018.5303

1831-4732

Michael Jeger, Claude Bragard, David Caffier, Thierry Candresse, Elisavet Chatzivassiliou, Katharina Dehnen‐Schmutz, Gianni Gilioli, Jean‐Claude Grégoire, Josep Anton Jaques Miret, Alan MacLeod, María Navajas Navarro, Björn Niere, Stephen Parnell, Roel Potting, Trond Rafoss, Vittorio Rossi, Gregor Urek, Ariena Van Bruggen, Wopke Van der Werf, J. S. West, Stephan Winter, Johanna Boberg, Paolo Gonthier, Marco Pautasso,

Yeasts and Rust Fungi Studies

EFSA JournalVolume 16, Issue 6 e05303 Scientific OpinionOpen Access Pest categorisation of Guignardia laricina EFSA Panel on Plant Health (PLH), EFSA Panel on Plant Health (PLH)Search for more papers by this authorMichael Jeger, Michael JegerSearch for more papers by this authorClaude Bragard, Claude BragardSearch for more papers by this authorDavid Caffier, David CaffierSearch for more papers by this authorThierry Candresse, Thierry CandresseSearch for more papers by this authorElisavet Chatzivassiliou, Elisavet ChatzivassiliouSearch for more papers by this authorKatharina Dehnen-Schmutz, Katharina Dehnen-SchmutzSearch for more papers by this authorGianni Gilioli, Gianni GilioliSearch for more papers by this authorJean-Claude Grégoire, Jean-Claude GrégoireSearch for more papers by this authorJosep Anton Jaques Miret, Josep Anton Jaques MiretSearch for more papers by this authorAlan MacLeod, Alan MacLeodSearch for more papers by this authorMaria Navajas Navarro, Maria Navajas NavarroSearch for more papers by this authorBjörn Niere, Björn NiereSearch for more papers by this authorStephen Parnell, Stephen ParnellSearch for more papers by this authorRoel Potting, Roel PottingSearch for more papers by this authorTrond Rafoss, Trond RafossSearch for more papers by this authorVittorio Rossi, Vittorio RossiSearch for more papers by this authorGregor Urek, Gregor UrekSearch for more papers by this authorAriena Van Bruggen, Ariena Van BruggenSearch for more papers by this authorWopke Van der Werf, Wopke Van der WerfSearch for more papers by this authorJonathan West, Jonathan WestSearch for more papers by this authorStephan Winter, Stephan WinterSearch for more papers by this authorJohanna Boberg, Johanna BobergSearch for more papers by this authorPaolo Gonthier, Paolo GonthierSearch for more papers by this authorMarco Pautasso, Marco PautassoSearch for more papers by this author EFSA Panel on Plant Health (PLH), EFSA Panel on Plant Health (PLH)Search for more papers by this authorMichael Jeger, Michael JegerSearch for more papers by this authorClaude Bragard, Claude BragardSearch for more papers by this authorDavid Caffier, David CaffierSearch for more papers by this authorThierry Candresse, Thierry CandresseSearch for more papers by this authorElisavet Chatzivassiliou, Elisavet ChatzivassiliouSearch for more papers by this authorKatharina Dehnen-Schmutz, Katharina Dehnen-SchmutzSearch for more papers by this authorGianni Gilioli, Gianni GilioliSearch for more papers by this authorJean-Claude Grégoire, Jean-Claude GrégoireSearch for more papers by this authorJosep Anton Jaques Miret, Josep Anton Jaques MiretSearch for more papers by this authorAlan MacLeod, Alan MacLeodSearch for more papers by this authorMaria Navajas Navarro, Maria Navajas NavarroSearch for more papers by this authorBjörn Niere, Björn NiereSearch for more papers by this authorStephen Parnell, Stephen ParnellSearch for more papers by this authorRoel Potting, Roel PottingSearch for more papers by this authorTrond Rafoss, Trond RafossSearch for more papers by this authorVittorio Rossi, Vittorio RossiSearch for more papers by this authorGregor Urek, Gregor UrekSearch for more papers by this authorAriena Van Bruggen, Ariena Van BruggenSearch for more papers by this authorWopke Van der Werf, Wopke Van der WerfSearch for more papers by this authorJonathan West, Jonathan WestSearch for more papers by this authorStephan Winter, Stephan WinterSearch for more papers by this authorJohanna Boberg, Johanna BobergSearch for more papers by this authorPaolo Gonthier, Paolo GonthierSearch for more papers by this authorMarco Pautasso, Marco PautassoSearch for more papers by this author First published: 01 June 2018 https://doi.org/10.2903/j.efsa.2018.5303 Correspondence: alpha@efsa.europa.eu Requestor: European Commission Question number: EFSA-Q-2018-00032 Panel members: Claude Bragard, David Caffier, Thierry Candresse, Elisavet Chatzivassiliou, Katharina Dehnen-Schmutz, Gianni Gilioli, Jean-Claude Grégoire, Josep Anton Jaques Miret, Michael Jeger, Alan MacLeod, Maria Navajas Navarro, Björn Niere, Stephen Parnell, Roel Potting, Trond Rafoss, Vittorio Rossi, Gregor Urek, Ariena Van Bruggen, Wopke Van der Werf, Jonathan West and Stephan Winter. Adopted: 17 May 2018 Reproduction of the images listed below is authorised, provide the source is acknowledged: Figures 1 and 5: © European and Mediterranean Plant Protection Organization (EPPO); Figures 2–4: © European Union. AboutSectionsPDF ToolsExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditWechat Abstract Following a request from the European Commission, the EFSA Panel on Plant Health performed a pest categorisation of Guignardia laricina, a well-defined and distinguishable fungal species of the family Phyllostictaceae. The pathogen is regulated in Council Directive 2000/29/EC (Annex IAI) as a harmful organism whose introduction into the EU is banned. G. laricina is native to East Asia and causes a shoot blight disease of Larix spp. Major hosts of G. laricina are European larch (Larix decidua) and two North American larch species (Larix laricina (tamarack) and Larix occidentalis (Western larch)). Larix kaempferi (Japanese larch) is reported as susceptible. The only other host in nature is Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii), which is reported as an incidental host, but various other conifers have been reported as susceptible following artificial inoculation, including Picea abies. The fungus is not known to occur in the EU but could enter via plants for planting (including artificially dwarfed plants) and cut branches of Larix spp. It could establish in the EU, as hosts are present and climatic conditions are favourable. The pathogen would be able to spread following establishment by natural dissemination of ascospores and pycnospores and by human movement of infected plants for planting. Should the pathogen be introduced in the EU, impacts can be expected in larch forests, plantations and nurseries, leading to reduced tree growth and ecosystem service provision. The key uncertainties concern the current distribution and level of impacts in the native range of the pathogen. The criteria assessed by the Panel for consideration as a potential quarantine pest are met. As the pest is not present in the EU, not all criteria for consideration as a regulated non-quarantine pest are met. 1 Introduction 1.1 Background and Terms of Reference as provided by the requestor 1.1.1 Background Council Directive 2000/29/EC1 on protective measures against the introduction into the Community of organisms harmful to plants or plant products and against their spread within the Community establishes the present European Union plant health regime. The Directive lays down the phytosanitary provisions and the control checks to be carried out at the place of origin on plants and plant products destined for the Union or to be moved within the Union. In the Directive's 2000/29/EC annexes, the list of harmful organisms (pests) whose introduction into or spread within the Union is prohibited, is detailed together with specific requirements for import or internal movement. Following the evaluation of the plant health regime, the new basic plant health law, Regulation (EU) 2016/20312 on protective measures against pests of plants, was adopted on 26 October 2016 and will apply from 14 December 2019 onwards, repealing Directive 2000/29/EC. In line with the principles of the above mentioned legislation and the follow-up work of the secondary legislation for the listing of EU regulated pests, EFSA is requested to provide pest categorizations of the harmful organisms included in the annexes of Directive 2000/29/EC, in the cases where recent pest risk assessment/pest categorisation is not available. 1.1.2 Terms of reference EFSA is requested, pursuant to Article 22(5.b) and Article 29(1) of Regulation (EC) No 178/20023, to provide scientific opinion in the field of plant health. EFSA is requested to prepare and deliver a pest categorisation (step 1 analysis) for each of the regulated pests included in the appendices of the annex to this mandate. The methodology and template of pest categorisation have already been developed in past mandates for the organisms listed in Annex II Part A Section II of Directive 2000/29/EC. The same methodology and outcome is expected for this work as well. The list of the harmful organisms included in the annex to this mandate comprises 133 harmful organisms or groups. A pest categorisation is expected for these 133 pests or groups and the delivery of the work would be stepwise at regular intervals through the year as detailed below. First priority covers the harmful organisms included in Appendix 1, comprising pests from Annex II Part A Section I and Annex II Part B of Directive 2000/29/EC. The delivery deadline of all pest categorisations for the pests included in Appendix 1 is June 2018. The second priority is the pests included in Appendix 2, comprising the group of Cicadellidae (non-EU) known to be vector of Pierce's disease (caused by Xylella fastidiosa), the group of Tephritidae (non-EU), the group of potato viruses and virus-like organisms, the group of viruses and virus-like organisms of Cydonia Mill., Fragaria L., Malus Mill., Prunus L., Pyrus L., Ribes L., Rubus L. and Vitis L. and the group of Margarodes (non-EU species). The delivery deadline of all pest categorisations for the pests included in Appendix 2 is end 2019. The pests included in Appendix 3 cover pests of Annex I part A section I and all pests categorisations should be delivered by end 2020. For the above mentioned groups, each covering a large number of pests, the pest categorisation will be performed for the group and not the individual harmful organisms listed under "such as" notation in the Annexes of the Directive 2000/29/EC. The criterion to be taken particularly under consideration for these cases, is the analysis of host pest combination, investigation of pathways, the damages occurring and the relevant impact. Finally, as indicated in the text above, all references to 'non-European' should be avoided and replaced by 'non-EU' and refer to all territories with exception of the Union territories as defined in Article 1 point 3 of Regulation (EU) 2016/2031. 1.1.2.1 Terms of Reference: Appendix 1 List of harmful organisms for which pest categorisation is requested. The list below follows the annexes of Directive 2000/29/EC. Annex IIAI (a) Insects, mites and nematodes, at all stages of their development Aleurocantus spp. Numonia pyrivorella (Matsumura) Anthonomus bisignifer (Schenkling) Oligonychus perditus Pritchard and Baker Anthonomus signatus (Say) Pissodes spp. (non-EU) Aschistonyx eppoi Inouye Scirtothrips aurantii Faure Carposina niponensis Walsingham Scirtothrips citri (Moultex) Enarmonia packardi (Zeller) Scolytidae spp. (non-EU) Enarmonia prunivora Walsh Scrobipalpopsis solanivora Povolny Grapholita inopinata Heinrich Tachypterellus quadrigibbus Say Hishomonus phycitis Toxoptera citricida Kirk. Leucaspis japonica Ckll. Unaspis citri Comstock Listronotus bonariensis (Kuschel) (b) Bacteria Citrus variegated chlorosis Xanthomonas campestris pv. oryzae (Ishiyama) Dye and pv. oryzicola (Fang. et al.) Dye Erwinia stewartii (Smith) Dye (c) Fungi Alternaria alternata (Fr.) Keissler (non-EU pathogenic isolates) Elsinoe spp. Bitanc. and Jenk. Mendes Anisogramma anomala (Peck) E. Müller Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. albedinis (Kilian and Maire) Gordon Apiosporina morbosa (Schwein.) v. Arx Guignardia piricola (Nosa) Yamamoto Ceratocystis virescens (Davidson) Moreau Puccinia pittieriana Hennings Cercoseptoria pini-densiflorae (Hori and Nambu) Deighton Stegophora ulmea (Schweinitz: Fries) Sydow & Sydow Cercospora angolensis Carv. and Mendes Venturia nashicola Tanaka and Yamamoto (d) Virus and virus-like organisms Beet curly top virus (non-EU isolates) Little cherry pathogen (non- EU isolates) Black raspberry latent virus Naturally spreading psorosis Blight and blight-like Palm lethal yellowing mycoplasm Cadang-Cadang viroid Satsuma dwarf virus Citrus tristeza virus (non-EU isolates) Tatter leaf virus Leprosis Witches' broom (MLO) Annex IIB (a) Insect mites and nematodes, at all stages of their development Anthonomus grandis (Boh.) Ips cembrae Heer Cephalcia lariciphila (Klug) Ips duplicatus Sahlberg Dendroctonus micans Kugelan Ips sexdentatus Börner Gilphinia hercyniae (Hartig) Ips typographus Heer Gonipterus scutellatus Gyll. Sternochetus mangiferae Fabricius Ips amitinus Eichhof (b) Bacteria Curtobacterium flaccumfaciens pv. flaccumfaciens (Hedges) Collins and Jones (c) Fungi Glomerella gossypii Edgerton Hypoxylon mammatum (Wahl.) J. Miller Gremmeniella abietina (Lag.) Morelet 1.1.2.2 Terms of Reference: Appendix 2 List of harmful organisms for which pest categorisation is requested per group. The list below follows the categorisation included in the annexes of Directive 2000/29/EC. Annex IAI (a) Insects, mites and nematodes, at all stages of their development Group of Cicadellidae (non-EU) known to be vector of Pierce's disease (caused by Xylella fastidiosa), such as: 1) Carneocephala fulgida Nottingham 3) Graphocephala atropunctata (Signoret) 2) Draeculacephala minerva Ball Group of Tephritidae (non-EU) such as: 1) Anastrepha fraterculus (Wiedemann) 12) Pardalaspis cyanescens Bezzi 2) Anastrepha ludens (Loew) 13) Pardalaspis quinaria Bezzi 3) Anastrepha obliqua Macquart 14) Pterandrus rosa (Karsch) 4) Anastrepha suspensa (Loew) 15) Rhacochlaena japonica Ito 5) Dacus ciliatus Loew 16) Rhagoletis completa Cresson 6) Dacus curcurbitae Coquillet 17) Rhagoletis fausta (Osten-Sacken) 7) Dacus dorsalis Hendel 18) Rhagoletis indifferens Curran 8) Dacus tryoni (Froggatt) 19) Rhagoletis mendax Curran 9) Dacus tsuneonis Miyake 20) Rhagoletis pomonella Walsh 10) Dacus zonatus Saund. 21) Rhagoletis suavis (Loew) 11) Epochra canadensis (Loew) (c) Viruses and virus-like organisms Group of potato viruses and virus-like organisms such as: 1) Andean potato latent virus 4) Potato black ringspot virus 2) Andean potato mottle virus 5) Potato virus T 3) Arracacha virus B, oca strain 6) non-EU isolates of potato viruses A, M, S, V, X and Y (including Yo, Yn and Yc) and Potato leafroll virus Group of viruses and virus-like organisms of Cydonia Mill., Fragaria L., Malus Mill., Prunus L., Pyrus L., Ribes L., Rubus L. and Vitis L., such as: 1) Blueberry leaf mottle virus 8) Peach yellows mycoplasm 2) Cherry rasp leaf virus (American) 9) Plum line pattern virus (American) 3) Peach mosaic virus (American) 10) Raspberry leaf curl virus (American) 4) Peach phony rickettsia 11) Strawberry witches' broom mycoplasma 5) Peach rosette mosaic virus 12) Non-EU viruses and virus-like organisms of Cydonia Mill., Fragaria L., Malus Mill., Prunus L., Pyrus L., Ribes L., Rubus L. and Vitis L. 6) Peach rosette mycoplasm 7) Peach X-disease mycoplasm Annex IIAI (a) Insects, mites and nematodes, at all stages of their development Group of Margarodes (non-EU species) such as: 1) Margarodes vitis (Phillipi) 3) Margarodes prieskaensis Jakubski 2) Margarodes vredendalensis de Klerk 1.1.2.3 Terms of Reference: Appendix 3 List of harmful organisms for which pest categorisation is requested. The list below follows the annexes of Directive 2000/29/EC. Annex IAI (a) Insects, mites and nematodes, at all stages of their development Acleris spp. (non-EU) Longidorus diadecturus Eveleigh and Allen Amauromyza maculosa (Malloch) Monochamus spp. (non-EU) Anomala orientalis Waterhouse Myndus crudus Van Duzee Arrhenodes minutus Drury Nacobbus aberrans (Thorne) Thorne and Allen Choristoneura spp. (non-EU) Naupactus leucoloma Boheman Conotrachelus nenuphar (Herbst) Premnotrypes spp. (non-EU) Dendrolimus sibiricus Tschetverikov Pseudopityophthorus minutissimus (Zimmermann) Diabrotica barberi Smith and Lawrence Pseudopityophthorus pruinosus (Eichhoff) Diabrotica undecimpunctata howardi Barber Scaphoideus luteolus (Van Duzee) Diabrotica undecimpunctata undecimpunctata Mannerheim Spodoptera eridania (Cramer) Diabrotica virgifera zeae Krysan & Smith Spodoptera frugiperda (Smith) Diaphorina citri Kuway Spodoptera litura (Fabricus) Heliothis zea (Boddie) Thrips palmi Karny Hirschmanniella spp., other than Hirschmanniella gracilis (de Man) Luc and Goodey Xiphinema americanum Cobb sensu lato (non-EU populations) Liriomyza sativae Blanchard Xiphinema californicum Lamberti and Bleve-Zacheo (b) Fungi Ceratocystis fagacearum (Bretz) Hunt Mycosphaerella larici-leptolepis Ito et al. Chrysomyxa arctostaphyli Dietel Mycosphaerella populorum G. E. Thompson Cronartium spp. (non-EU) Phoma andina Turkensteen Endocronartium spp. (non-EU) Phyllosticta solitaria Ell. and Ev. Guignardia laricina (Saw.) Yamamoto and Ito Septoria lycopersici Speg. var. malagutii Ciccarone and Boerema Gymnosporangium spp. (non-EU) Thecaphora solani Barrus Inonotus weirii (Murril) Kotlaba and Pouzar Trechispora brinkmannii (Bresad.) Rogers Melampsora farlowii (Arthur) Davis (c) Viruses and virus-like organisms Tobacco ringspot virus Pepper mild tigré virus Tomato ringspot virus Squash leaf curl virus Bean golden mosaic virus Euphorbia mosaic virus Cowpea mild mottle virus Florida tomato virus Lettuce infectious yellows virus (d) Parasitic plants Arceuthobium spp. (non-EU) Annex IAII (a) Insects, mites and nematodes, at all stages of their development Meloidogyne fallax Karssen Rhizoecus hibisci Kawai and Takagi Popillia japonica Newman (b) Bacteria Clavibacter michiganensis (Smith) Davis et al. ssp. sepedonicus (Spieckermann and Kotthoff) Davis et al. Ralstonia solanacearum (Smith) Yabuuchi et al. (c) Fungi Melampsora medusae Thümen Synchytrium endobioticum (Schilbersky) Percival Annex I B (a) Insects, mites and nematodes, at all stages of their development Leptinotarsa decemlineata Say Liriomyza bryoniae (Kaltenbach) (b) Viruses and virus-like organisms Beet necrotic yellow vein virus 1.2 Interpretation of the Terms of Reference Guignardia laricina is one of a number of pests listed in the Appendices to the Terms of Reference (ToR) to be subject to pest categorisation to determine whether it fulfils the criteria of a quarantine pest or those of a regulated non-quarantine pest for the area of the EU. 2 Data and methodologies 2.1 Data 2.1.1 Literature search A literature search on G. laricina was conducted at the beginning of the categorisation in the ISI Web of Science bibliographic database, using the scientific name of the pest as well as its synonyms as search terms. Relevant papers were reviewed, and further references and information were obtained from experts, from citations within the references and grey literature. 2.1.2 Database search Pest information, on host(s) and distribution, was retrieved from the EPPO Global Database (EPPO, 2018). Data about the import of commodity types that could potentially provide a pathway for the pest to enter the EU and about the area of hosts grown in the EU were obtained from EUROSTAT. Information on EU Member States (MS) imports of Larix plants for planting from Asia was sought in the ISEFOR database (Eschen et al., 2017). This database of imported plants for planting is not comprehensive of all EU MS and the time series data for participating MS are of differing periods. The Europhyt database was consulted for pest-specific notifications on interceptions and outbreaks. Europhyt is a web-based network run by the Directorate General for Health and Food Safety (DG SANTE) of the European Commission, and is a subproject of PHYSAN (Phyto-Sanitary Controls) specifically concerned with plant health information. The Europhyt database manages notifications of interceptions of plants or plant products that do not comply with EU legislation, as well as notifications of plant pests detected in the territory of the MS and the phytosanitary measures taken to eradicate or avoid their spread. 2.2 Methodologies The Panel performed the pest categorisation for G. laricina, following guiding principles and steps presented in the EFSA guidance on the harmonised framework for pest risk assessment (EFSA PLH Panel, 2010) and as defined in the International Standard for Phytosanitary Measures No 11 (FAO, 2013) and No 21 (FAO, 2004). In accordance with the guidance on a harmonised framework for pest risk assessment in the EU (EFSA PLH Panel, 2010), this work was started following an evaluation of the EU's plant health regime. Therefore, to facilitate the decision-making process, in the conclusions of the pest categorisation, the Panel addresses explicitly each criterion for a Union quarantine pest and for a Union regulated non-quarantine pest in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2016/2031 on protective measures against pests of plants, and includes additional information required as per the specific terms of reference received by the European Commission. In addition, for each conclusion, the Panel provides a short description of its associated uncertainty. Table 1 presents the Regulation (EU) 2016/2031 pest categorisation criteria on which the Panel bases its conclusions. All relevant criteria have to be met for the pest to potentially qualify either as a quarantine pest or as a regulated non-quarantine pest. If one of the criteria is not met, the pest will not qualify. A pest that does not qualify as a quarantine pest may still qualify as a regulated non-quarantine pest which needs to be addressed in the opinion. For the pests regulated in the protected zones only, the scope of the categorisation is the territory of the protected zone, thus the criteria refer to the protected zone instead of the EU territory. It should be noted that the Panel's conclusions are formulated respecting its remit and particularly with regard to the principle of separation between risk assessment and risk management (EFSA founding regulation (EU) No 178/2002); therefore, instead of determining whether the pest is likely to have an unacceptable impact, the Panel will present a summary of the observed pest impacts. Economic impacts are expressed in terms of yield and quality losses and not in monetary terms, while addressing social impacts is outside the remit of the Panel, in agreement with the EFSA guidance on a harmonised framework for pest risk assessment (EFSA PLH Panel, 2010). Table 1. Pest categorisation criteria under evaluation, as defined in Regulation (EU) 2016/2031 on protective measures against pests of plants (the number of the relevant sections of the pest categorisation is shown in brackets in the first column) Criterion of pest categorisation Criterion in Regulation (EU) 2016/2031 regarding Union quarantine pest Criterion in Regulation (EU) 2016/2031 regarding protected zone quarantine pest (articles 32–35) Criterion in Regulation (EU) 2016/2031 regarding Union regulated non-quarantine pest Identity of the pest (Section 3.1) Is the identity of the pest established, or has it been shown to produce consistent symptoms and to be transmissible? Is the identity of the pest established, or has it been shown to produce consistent symptoms and to be transmissible? Is the identity of the pest established, or has it been shown to produce consistent symptoms and to be transmissible? Absence/presence of the pest in the EU territory (Section 3.2) Is the pest present in the EU territory? If present, is the pest widely distributed within the EU? Describe the pest distribution briefly! Is the pest present in the EU territory? If not, it cannot be a protected zone quarantine organism Is the pest present in the EU territory? If not, it cannot be a regulated non-quarantine pest. (A regulated non-quarantine pest must be present in the risk assessment area) Regulatory status (Section 3.3) If the pest is present in the EU but not widely distributed in the risk assessment area, it should be under official control or expected to be under official control in the near future. The protected zone system aligns with the pest free area system under the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) The pest satisfies the IPPC definition of a quarantine pest that is not present in the risk assessment area (i.e. protected zone) Is the pest regulated as a quarantine pest? If currently regulated as a quarantine pest, are there grounds to consider its status could be revoked? Pest potential for entry, establishment and spread in the EU territory (Section 3.4) Is the pest able to enter into, become established in, and spread within, the EU territory? If yes, briefly list the pathways! Is the pest able to enter into, become established in, and spread within, the protected zone areas? Is entry by natural spread from EU areas where the pest is present possible? Is spread mainly via specific plants for planting, rather than via natural spread or via movement of plant products or other objects? Clearly state if plants for planting is the main pathway! Potential for consequences in the EU territory (Section 3.5) Would the pests' introduction have an economic or environmental impact on the EU territory? Would the pests' introduction have an economic or environmental impact on the protected zone areas? Does the presence of the pest on plants for planting have an economic impact, as regards the intended use of those plants for planting? Available measures (Section 3.6) Are there measures available to prevent the entry into, establishment within or spread of the pest within the EU such that the risk becomes mitigated? Are there measures available to prevent the entry into, establishment within or spread of the pest within the protected zone areas such that the risk becomes mitigated? Is it possible to eradicate the pest in a restricted area within 24 months (or a period longer than 24 months where the biology of the organism so justifies) after the presence of the pest was confirmed in the protected zone? Are there measures available to prevent pest presence on plants for planting such that the risk becomes mitigated? Conclusion of pest categorisation (Section 4) A statement as to whether (1) all criteria assessed by EFSA above for consideration as a potential quarantine pest were met and (2) if not, which one(s) were not met A statement as to whether (1) all criteria assessed by EFSA above for consideration as potential protected zone quarantine pest were met, and (2) if not, which one(s) were not met A statement as to whether (1) all criteria assessed by EFSA above for consideration as a potential regulated non-quarantine pest were met, and (2) if not, which one(s) were not met The Panel will not indicate in its conclusions of the pest categorisation whether to continue the risk assessment process, but, following the agreed two-step approach, will continue only if requested by the risk managers. However, during the categorisation process, experts may identify key elements and knowledge gaps that could contribute significant uncertainty to a future assessment of risk. It would be useful to identify and highlight such gaps so that potential future requests can specifically target the major elements of uncertainty, perhaps suggesting specific scenarios to examine. 3 Pest categorisation 3.1 Identity and biology of the pest 3.1.1 Identity and taxonomy Is the identity of the pest established, or has it been shown to produce consistent symptoms and to be transmissible? Yes Guignardia laricina (Sawada) W. Yamam. & Kaz. Itô is a fungus of the family Phyllostictaceae. Species synonyms are Botryosphaeria laricina, Physalospora laricina (Index Fungorum, http://www.indexfungorum.org/names/names.asp) and Phyllosticta laricis (EPPO, 2018). Previous reports referred to a Fusicoccum species as a probable anamorph (EPPO, 1997). 3.1.2 Biology of the pest G. laricina causes a shoot blight disease of Larix spp. (Yokota, 1966). An anamorphic stage of the fungus appears in abundance on the underside of needles and on young shoots between July and November. In Japan, pycnidia are most abundant in August and September, and they are rarely found on over-wintered infected shoots and leaves (Yokota, 1966). Pycnospores are exuded from pycnidia forming small, white or pale milk-white masses, but they are discharged abundantly only at relative humidity (RH) 98–100% and temperature between 10°C and 35°C (25°C optimum) (Yokota, 1966). Pycnospores are responsible for secondary infection of the host and their dispersal occurs mainly with the splash of rain (Yokota, 1966). A few pycnospores in the pycnidia can overwinter until the following April (EPPO, 1997). A spermogonial stage may also be found from late July on infected shoots (Yokota, 1966). The teleomorph produces black pseudothecia on infected current season's shoots starting from October (Yokota, 1966). The pseudothecia increase in number the following year in May–June. Discharge of ascospores takes place from June to October, most abundantly in August and September, under condition of 100% RH or over-saturated condition and temperature in the range fro