Eradication of Ralstonia solanacearum from Austria
In Austria, annual systematic official surveys for the occurrence of Ralstonia solanacearum (EPPO A2 List) have been conducted since 1995. In 2009, the Austrian NPPO had informed the EPPO Secretariat of the first finding of R. solanacearum in Niederösterreich (see EPPO RS 2009/083). In 2008, the bacterium was first detected during routine testing in one lot of ware potatoes (Solanum tuberosum cv. ‘Ditta’) from a supermarket in Kärnten. Investigations showed that the infested lot originated from a producer located in Niederösterreich and had been grown from certified seed potatoes (which had tested negative before planting). The infested lot of ware potatoes was only marketed in Austria. The possible source of contamination remained unknown. Phytosanitary measures were taken in accordance with the EU Directive 98/57/EC. As none of the subsequent surveys detected the bacterium, the NPPO of Austria now considers that R. solanacearum has been eradicated.
The pest status of Ralstonia solanacearum in Austria is officially declared as: Absent: pest eradicated.
Sources
NPPO of Austria (2015-02).