Diabrotica virgifera virgifera is no longer a quarantine pest for the European Union
In December 2013, the EU Standing Committee on Plant Health agreed to delete Diabrotica virgifera virgifera (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae, EPPO A2 List) from the list of harmful organisms included in the plant health Directive 2000/29/EC (list of quarantine pests), and to repeal the EU emergency measures (Decision 2003/766/EC on emergency measures to prevent the spread within the Community of Diabrotica virgifera Le Conte). It was acknowledged that the specific control measures put in place in 2003 against D. virgifera virgifera did not prevent its spread within the European Union as it is now established in 13 EU Member States, representing a large part of the EU maize cultivation area. The impact assessment which was carried out by the EU Commission concluded that it was neither feasible to pursue an eradication of this pest from the EU, nor to prevent its further spread into the areas which are currently free. It was also acknowledged that effective and sustainable control methods (e.g. crop rotation) against D. virgifera virgifera were available. Therefore, on request of the agricultural sector, the regulation of D. virgifera virgifera as a quarantine pest was considered no longer appropriate within the EU territory, and a recommendation on sustainable control measures which can be used in infested areas (Commission Recommendation 2014/63/EU) was issued in February 2014.
Sources
European Commission. DG Health and Consumers. Plant Health (2014-02-07) Commission de-lists "western corn rootworm" as a quarantine pest. http://ec.europa.eu/dgs/health_consumer/dyna/enews/enews.cfm?al_id=1453
Commission Recommendation (2014/63/EU) of 6 February 2014 on measures to control Diabrotica virgifera virgifera Le Conte in Union areas where its presence is confirmed. http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ
Commission Implementing Decision 2014/62/EU of 6 February 2014 repealing Decision 2003/766/EC on emergency measures to prevent the spread within the Community of Diabrotica virgifera Le Conte. http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ