Outcome of the public consultation on the draft Scientific Opinion on the risk to plant health of Xanthomonas citri pv. citri and Xanthomonas citri pv. aurantifolii for the EU territory

Abstract

EFSA's Scientific Panel on Plant Health (PLH) has undertaken a public consultation on the draft Scientific Opinion on the risk to plant health of Xanthomonas citri pv. citri and Xanthomonas citri pv. aurantifolii for the EU territory. The draft Scientific Opinion was prepared by a working group of the Plant Health (PLH) Panel and it assesses the risks posed by Xanthomonas campestris (all strains pathogenic to Citrus) for the EU territory. The draft Scientific Opinion also identifies risk management opinions, including an evaluation of their effectiveness in reducing the risk to plant health posed by these harmful organisms. As part of its assessment, the PLH Panel was asked to provide an opinion on the effectiveness of the present EU requirements against Xanthomonas campestris (all strains pathogenic to Citrus), listed in Annexes III, IV and V of Council Directive 2000/29/EC, as well as in Commission Decision 2004/416/EC and Commission Decision 2006/473/EC, in reducing the risk of introduction of these pests into the EU territory. The PLH Panel was also requested to provide guidance on the right denomination of this harmful organism. Following the endorsement of the draft opinion by the PLH Panel, the public consultation was launched on 31 July 2013 and closed on 12 September 2013. EFSA has committed to publish a technical report on the outcome of the public consultation on the draft Scientific Opinion. This technical report summarises the comments received through the public consultation and presents the responses of the PLH Panel to the comments. The comments received provided further specific insights and indicated further potential issues and the PLH Panel considers that these enhanced the quality and clarity of the document. The relevant comments were taken into account and the Scientific Opinion was revised accordingly. The EFSA PLH Panel acknowledges the usefulness and quality of the comments received and would like to thank all parties for their interest and input in this opinion and in the future work of the PLH Panel.EFSA has made a commitment to publish a technical report on the outcome of the public consultation on the draft opinion. This technical report summarises the comments received through the public consultation and presents the responses of the PLH Panel to the comments. The Directive lays down, amongst others, the technical phytosanitary provisions to be met by plants and plant products and the control checks to be carried out at the place of origin on plants and plant products destined for the Union or to be moved within the Union, the list of harmful organisms whose introduction into or spread within the Union is prohibited and the control measures to be carried out at the outer border of the Union on arrival of plants and plant products.Citrus canker is a serious disease of cultivated citrus plants caused by the strains pathogenic to Citrus of the bacterium Xanthomonas campestris (synonym: Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. citri). Losses due to citrus canker primarily result from defoli...