This Guidance describes a two-phase approach for a fit-for-purpose method for the assessment of plant pest risk in the territory of the EU. Phase one consists of pest categorisation to determine whether the pest has the characteristics of a quarantine pest or those of a regulated non-quarantine pest for the area of the EU. Phase two consists of pest risk assessment, which may be requested by the risk managers following the pest categorisation results. This Guidance provides a template for pest categorisation and describes in detail the use of modelling and expert knowledge elicitation to conduct a pest risk assessment. The Guidance provides support and a framework for assessors to provide quantitative estimates, together with associated uncertainties, regarding the entry, establishment, spread and impact of plant pests in the EU. The Guidance allows the effectiveness of risk reducing options (RROs) to be quantitatively assessed as an integral part of the assessment framework. A list of RROs is provided. A two-tiered approach is proposed for the use of expert knowledge elicitation and modelling. Depending on data and resources available and the needs of risk managers, pest entry, establishment, spread and impact steps may be assessed directly, using weight of evidence and quantitative expert judgement (first tier), or they may be elaborated in substeps using quantitative models (second tier). An example of an application of the first tier approach is provided. Guidance is provided on how to derive models of appropriate complexity to conduct a second tier assessment. Each assessment is operationalised using Monte Carlo simulations that can compare scenarios for relevant factors, e.g. with or without RROs. This document provides guidance on how to compare scenarios to draw conclusions on the magnitude of pest risks and the effectiveness of RROs and on how to communicate assessment results.

The EPPO Secretariat has developed computer software for Pest Risk Analysis (PRA) within the EC 7th Framework Programme PRATIQUE (Enhancements of Pest Risk Analysis Techniques) and with the support of the EPPO Panels. The software, Computer Assisted PRA (CAPRA), aims to assist pest risk analysts to run the EPPO Decision‐support scheme for pest risk analysis [EPPO Standard PM 5/3(5) Decision‐support scheme for quarantine pests], and other decision‐support schemes. It is freely avaliable on the EPPO website or on http://capra.eppo.org/.

Global trade of plants and plant products facilitates the international movement of pests. The introduction of new pests in an area may have huge economic consequences for local plant production, and should be avoided. The European Union (EU) imports large quantities of fresh fruit from all over the world, which could be a pathway for exotic pests. This review aimed to identify pests not yet present or regulated in the EU that may enter the territory with the fruit trade and damage fruit production in Europe. Pests of Vaccinium (blueberry), apple, grape, orange and mandarin were screened to assess the likelihood of their being associated with these fruit, their impact, their geographical distribution, whether they are intercepted in trade and whether they are spreading or emerging. They were further ranked to produce alert lists of 30 to 36 pests for each fruit species. These lists are presented as well as other findings on contaminants and newly introduced pests. Datasheets on those pests were prepared and are available as supporting information to this article as well as in the EPPO Global Database (https://gd.eppo.int/). This work within the EU project DROPSA aimed to raise the awareness of importers and regulatory authorities to the potential risk of introducing pests with the fruit trade.

Within the framework of the EU project DROPSA (‘Strategies to develop effective, innovative and practical approaches to protect major European fruit crops from pests and pathogens’), a review on pests (including pathogens) that have fruit species as their host plants was conducted. The focus was on pests that have been introduced into Europe or were found in the fruit trade during the last 10–15 years. Among the 387 recorded pests, the following groups were identified: 1. fruit and vinegar flies, 2. scale insects, 3. fungi, 4. plant viruses, 5. bacteria, 6. pests of unknown risk, 7. tropical fruit pests, 8. pests that had an unexpected change of hosts, 9. fruit pests not likely to be transported on fruit and 10. ‘hitchhikers’ (non‐fruit pests intercepted on fruit/fruit plants, fruit pests intercepted on other commodities than fruit). The large number of pests identified, from different taxonomic groups and origins, shows that fruit are an important pathway for pests, threatening fruit production in Europe.

The EU project ‘DROPSA’ started in 2014 and aims to improve plant health strategies in the fruit sector. The project is being conducted by an international consortium of 26 partners consisting of phytosanitary organizations, companies, research institutes and universities and will last 50 months. Results will be disseminated via conventional publications and will be brought together in the development of risk‐based strategies to prevent the introduction of new fruit pests. This article describes the task related to the preparation of alert lists of pests that may be introduced into Europe with the trade of fruit. Activities of this task include the investigation of pathways of introduction for fruit pests into Europe, the development of alert lists for selected fruit crops and a review of current legislation. A review of introductions, interceptions and outbreaks that occurred during the last 10–15 years was conducted and is summarized, showing the relevance of fruit trade for the international movement of pests. Work has started on the development of alert lists for selected pathways. In this context, important fruit crops (including Malus, Vaccinium, Vitis, Citrus) were selected.