Modifications made to the EU regulations concerning Erwinia amylovora
Modifications have recently been made to the European Union phytosanitary regulations concerning Erwinia amylovora (EPPO A2 list). These amendments to EU Council Directive 2000/29 were published in December 2003 in Commission Directive 2003/116, and EU Member States are requested to implement these modifications by 2004-03-31. The EPPO Secretariat has tried to summarize the main changes, but for more detail it is necessary to refer to the full text of both Directives.
Better coverage of the host range of Erwinia amylovora
The host range of E. amylovora has been extended, as some known host plants were previously missing. Amelanchier and Photinia davidiana (synonym of Stranvaesia davidiana) are now included, and the genus Sorbus is included as a whole (no exception now being made for S. intermedia). All provisions concerning E. amylovora (restrictions, buffer zones and protected zones, PC and plant passports) in the EU Directive 2000/29 now apply to: Amelanchier, Chaenomeles, Cotoneaster, Crataegus, Cydonia, Eriobotrya, Malus, Mespilus, Photinia davidiana, Pyracantha, Pyrus, and Sorbus.
Reducing the risks associated with the movements of bee hives
It has been recognized that movements of bee hives may transport E. amylovora, and that this presented a particular risk for areas which were still free from the disease. Therefore movements of beehives to and within protected zones are now regulated. In protected zones, from 15 March to 30 June: beehives should originate from non-EU countries free from E. amylovora or beehives should originate from a protected zone or they should have undergone an appropriate phytosanitary measure.
Reducing the risks of short distance spread of E. amylovora by improving provisions for buffer zones and protected zones
In protected zones, host plants intended for planting can be introduced only if they originate:
- from a non-EU country which is free from E. amylovora, or
- from a pest-free area in a non-EU country (which must be delimited and maintained under specified conditions in the non-EU country), or
- from another protected zone, or
- from a field located at least 1 km inside the border of an officially designated buffer zone (plants must have been produced in this field, but if moved there should have remained there for a certain period).
Provisions for buffer zones have been improved. These buffer zones should now be clearly delimited, all host plants produced and maintained in fields located in these buffer zones are placed under a strict control regime. The field and a surrounding zone of at least 500 m width should have been found free from E. amylovora since the last complete cycle of vegetation (regular visual inspections and laboratory tests). In the buffer zone any plant showing symptoms of E. amylovora should be removed (this is valid in areas outside the fields concerned and their surrounding zones of 500 m, in the latter no symptoms should be found).
Sources
Commission Directive 2003/116/EC of 4 December 2003 amending Annexes II, III, IV and V to Council Directive 2000/29/EC as regards the harmful organism Erwinia amylovora (Burr.) Winsl. et al.
Official Journal of the European Union, 2003-12-06, L 321, 36-40.