Update on LIFE project IAP-RISK
In February 2018, the final 10 pest risk analysis (from a total of 16) produced within the LIFE funded project ‘Mitigating the threat of invasive alien plants in the EU through pest risk analysis to support the EU Regulation 1143/2014’ were submitted to the European Commission for consideration by the Scientific Forum for potential listing on the list of invasive alien species of Union concern. The final 10 PRAs submitted were on the following species: Ambrosia confertiflora, Andropogon virginicus, Cortaderia jubata, Ehrharta calycina, Hakea sericea, Humulus scandens, Lespedeza cuneata, Lygodium japonicum, Prosopis juliflora and Triadica sebifera. In parallel, these PRAs are also being prepared for the EPPO Working Party on Phytosanitary Regulations (WPPR) which meets in June 2018. The WPPR will assess the conclusions of the PRAs as to whether these species should appear on the EPPO A1 and A2 Lists of pests recommenced for regulation as quarantine pests. The WPPR recommendations will then be presented to the EPPO Council in September 2018 for endorsement. If the PRAs conclusions are approved, these plant species will be included on the EPPO A1 or A2 Lists of pests recommended for regulation as quarantine pests.
Sources
LIFE IAP-RISK website: www.iap-risk.eu