Revised list of plants susceptible to Xylella fastidiosa

Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2023/1706 of 7 September 2023 amending Implementing Regulation (EU) 2020/1201 as regards the lists of plants known to be susceptible to Xylella fastidiosa

Update

The EU has updated the list of plants known to be susceptible to Xylella fastidiosa.

Impacted Products

Plants and plant products

What is changing?

This new Regulation amends Regulation (EU) 2020/1201 regarding the list of plants known to be susceptible to Xylella fastidiosa. Additions to the list include, among others, Citrus limon (lemon), Arbutus unedo (strawberry tree), and Ficus carica (fig). The complete list of plants for planting is available in the Annexes to the Regulation.

The inclusion of these species, particularly commercial crops such as C. limon, does not involve specific import requirements for their fruits. Import requirements are set only for plants for planting (other than seeds). However, consistent with the treatment of all EU quarantine pests, if X. fastidiosa is detected in any plant or plant product consignment, it will be refused market access to the EU.

Why?

In response to evolving scientific knowledge and the geographical spread of the pathogen, the EU has adjusted its list of plants susceptible to X. fastidiosa (EFSA 2022).

Xylella fastidiosa is included in the list of 20 regulated quarantine pests, qualifying it as an EU priority pest with potentially severe economic, environmental, and social impacts on the EU's territory. The associated requirements are mainly directed at European stakeholders, but there are important implications for countries exporting the listed plants.

Timeline

In force from September 2023.

Background

Regulation (EU) 2020/1201 sets out preventive measures against the spread of X. fastidiosa within the EU. This includes guidelines for introducing host plants (plants for planting) into the EU from non-EU countries.

For more information see EU Plant Health Law explained, Provisional list of high risk plants explained, Provisional listing of pests, commodities and additional plant health requirements, and Revision of plant health law.

Resources

Sources

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Regulation

Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2023/1706 as regards the lists of plants known to be susceptible to Xylella fastidiosa

What is changing and why?

This new Regulation concerns Xylella fastidiosa, a quarantine and priority pest in the EU. It updates the list of host plants susceptible to this pathogen, with the addition of Citrus limon (lemon), Arbutus unedo (strawberry tree), and Ficus carica (fig), among others.

The inclusion of these species does not involve specific import requirements for their fruits. Import requirements are set only for plants for planting (other than seeds). However, consistent with the treatment of all EU quarantine pests, if X. fastidiosa is detected in any plant or plant product consignment, it will be refused market access to the EU.

Timeline

In force from September 2023.

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