Revision of plant pest temporary prohibition lists
- Plant health
- Priority pests
Summary
The European Union has amended Regulation 2022/1941 concerning the prohibition of certain pests in the EU territory. The Oriental tea tortrix (Homona magnanima) is added to the list as a new pest. The eggplant fruit and shoot borer (Leucinodes orbonalis) is removed following an assessment that concluded its risk to the EU is very low.
Updated plant health rules: revision of the temporary list of pests subject to certain prohibitions
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2024/1957 of 17 July 2024 amending Implementing Regulation (EU) 2022/1941 as regards the prohibition of introduction, movement, holding, multiplication or release of certain pests
Update
The European Union has amended Regulation 2022/1941 concerning the prohibition of certain pests in the EU territory. The Oriental tea tortrix (Homona magnanima) is added to the list as a new pest. The eggplant fruit and shoot borer (Leucinodes orbonalis) is removed following an assessment that concluded its risk to the EU is very low.
Impacted Products
Apple, aubergine (eggplant) citrus, peanut, pears, persimmon, soybean, stone fruit, sweet cherry, tanbark, tea
What is changing?
EU has amended Regulation 2022/1941 concerning the prohibition of the introduction, movement, holding, multiplication, or release of certain plant pests in the EU territory.
Oriental tea tortrix (Homona magnanima) is not present in the European Union, but has been intercepted at EU border controls on imported produce. A preliminary risk assessment by Germany (JKI 2024) indicates that this species could meet the criteria for Union quarantine pests, and temporary measures are justified due to its phytosanitary risk.
Eggplant fruit and shoot borer (Leucinodes orbonalis) was included in Regulation 2022/1941 based on provisional information. A subsequent risk assessment by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA 2024) concluded that its risk to the EU is very low. It does not fulfil the criteria for Union quarantine pests, and is therefore removed from the list.
The Annex to Regulation 2022/1941 is updated to reflect these changes.
Why?
EU Member States notify the European Commission of the presence of new pests in consignments that are intercepted during border controls. If they are not already classified as Union quarantine pests, but pose a significant risk, these pests are temporarily added to the list pending further assessment and potential addition to Annex II of Regulation 2019/2072.
The list of regulated pests is updated on an ongoing basis according to the most recent scientific evaluations.
Timeline
Date of effect: 7 August 2024.
Background
Regulation (EU) 2022/1941 prohibits the introduction, movement, holding, multiplication, or release of certain pests within the EU territory.
When EU Member States notify the Commission of the presence in consignments of new pests that are not listed as Union quarantine pests, but pose a significant risk, these pests are temporarily included in the list pending further assessment and potential addition to Annex II of Regulation 2019/2072.
In 2021, several EU Member States reported the presence of certain pests in plant consignments from non-EU countries. Preliminary assessments indicated that these pests pose a high risk to the EU, but further assement was needed for their full inclusion in quarantine pest lists.
Pests identified:
- tobacco budworm (Chloridea virescens)
- eggplant fruit and shoot borer (Leucinodes orbonalis)
- snout moth (Leucinodes pseudorbonalis)
- citrus fruit midge (Resseliella citrifrugis)
- yellow-striped armyworm (Spodoptera ornithogalli).
Entry of these pests into the EU is temporarily prohibited until comprehensive risk assessments are completed. Except for L. orbonalis, this temporary prohibition remains in force until 31 May 2027.
Resources
CABI (2020) Homona magnanima (oriental tea tortrix). PlantwisePlus Knowledge Bank.
EFSA (2024) Pest risk assessment of Leucinodes orbonalis for the European Union. EFSA Journal, 22(3): e8498.
JKI (2024) Express PRA for Homona magnanima – Interception. Julius Kühn-Institut, 6 June. EPPO Platform on PRAs.
Regulation (EU) 2022/1941 on the prohibition of introduction, movement, holding, multiplication or release of certain pests
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/2072 as regards protective measures against pests of plants
Sources
Regulation (EU) 2024/1957 amending Implementing Regulation (EU) 2022/1941 as regards the prohibition of introduction, movement, holding, multiplication or release of certain pests
Disclaimer: Under no circumstances shall COLEAD be liable for any loss, damage, liability or expense incurred or suffered that is claimed to have resulted from the use of information available on this website or any link to external sites. The use of the website is at the user’s sole risk and responsibility. This information platform was created and maintained with the financial support of the European Union. Its contents do not, however, reflect the views of the European Union.
Updated plant health rules: revision of the temporary list of pests subject to certain prohibitions
Regulation (EU) 2024/1957 amending Implementing Regulation (EU) 2022/1941 as regards the prohibition of introduction, movement, holding, multiplication or release of certain pests
What is changing and why?
The EU has updated its list of prohibited pests in the territory (Regulation 2022/1941) based on recent plant health risk assessments.
Oriental tea tortrix (Homona magnanima) has been identified as a new pest that potentially meets the criteria for classification as a Union quarantine pest, and temporary measures have been introduced to manage the risk.
Eggplant fruit and shoot borer (Leucinodes orbonalis) has been re-evaluated and removed from the list as its risk to the EU was found to be low.
The Annex to Regulation 2022/1941 has been updated accordingly.
Timeline
Date of effect: 7 August 2024.
Disclaimer: Under no circumstances shall COLEAD be liable for any loss, damage, liability or expense incurred or suffered that is claimed to have resulted from the use of information available on this website or any link to external sites. The use of the website is at the user’s sole risk and responsibility. This information platform was created and maintained with the financial support of the European Union. Its contents do not, however, reflect the views of the European Union.