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.

Abstract 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.

Abstract EFSA was asked for a partial risk assessment of Spodoptera frugiperda for the territory of the EU focussing on the main pathways for entry, factors affecting establishment, risk reduction options and pest management. As a polyphagous pest, five commodity pathways were examined in detail. Aggregating across these and other pathways, we estimate that tens of thousands to over a million individual larvae could enter the EU annually on host commodities. Instigating risk reduction options on sweetcorn, a principal host, reduces entry on that pathway 100‐fold. However, sweetcorn imports are a small proportion of all S. frugiperda host imports, several of which are already regulated and further regulation is estimated to reduce the median number entering over all pathways by approximately 10%. Low temperatures limit the area for establishment but small areas of Spain, Italy and Greece can provide climatic conditions suitable for establishment. If infested imported commodities are distributed across the EU in proportion to consumer population, a few hundreds to a few thousands of individuals would reach NUTS 2 regions within which suitable conditions for establishment exist. Although S. frugiperda is a known migrant, entry directly into the EU from extant populations in sub‐Saharan Africa is judged not feasible. However, if S. frugiperda were to establish in North Africa, in the range of thousands to over two million adults could seasonally migrate into the southern EU. Entry into suitable NUTS2 areas via migration will be greater than via commercial trade but is contingent on the establishment of S. frugiperda in North Africa. The likelihood of entry of the pest via natural dispersal could only be mitigated via control of the pest in Africa. If S. frugiperda were to arrive and become a pest of maize in the EU, Integrated Pest Management (IPM) or broad spectrum insecticides currently used against existing pests could be applied.

EFSA was asked for a partial risk assessment of Spodoptera frugiperda for the territory of the EU focussing on the main pathways for entry, factors affecting establishment, risk reduction options and pest management. As a polyphagous pest, five commodity pathways were examined in detail. Aggregating across these and other pathways, we estimate that tens of thousands to over a million individual larvae could enter the EU annually on host commodities. Instigating risk reduction options on sweetcorn, a principal host, reduces entry on that pathway 100-fold. However, sweetcorn imports are a small proportion of all S. frugiperda host imports, several of which are already regulated and further regulation is estimated to reduce the median number entering over all pathways by approximately 10%. Low temperatures limit the area for establishment but small areas of Spain, Italy and Greece can provide climatic conditions suitable for establishment. If infested imported commodities are distributed across the EU in proportion to consumer population, a few hundreds to a few thousands of individuals would reach NUTS 2 regions within which suitable conditions for establishment exist. Although S. frugiperda is a known migrant, entry directly into the EU from extant populations in sub-Saharan Africa is judged not feasible. However, if S. frugiperda were to establish in North Africa, in the range of thousands to over two million adults could seasonally migrate into the southern EU. Entry into suitable NUTS2 areas via migration will be greater than via commercial trade but is contingent on the establishment of S. frugiperda in North Africa. The likelihood of entry of the pest via natural dispersal could only be mitigated via control of the pest in Africa. If S. frugiperda were to arrive and become a pest of maize in the EU, Integrated Pest Management (IPM) or broad spectrum insecticides currently used against existing pests could be applied.

International audience | The South American tomato pinworm, Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae), is a key pest in tomato crops worldwide. In Europe, Integrated Pest Management (IPM) programs of this pest focus on releases of generalist mirid predators. In Brazil, Macrolophus basicornis (Stal) (Hemiptera: Miridae) is a potential biological control agent of T. absoluta. However, the compatibility of this predator with insecticides applied on tomato crops must be evaluated. Therefore, the non-target effects of four insecticides (abamectin, chlorantraniliprole, teflubenzuron and methoxyfenozide) were evaluated on the predator M. basicornis. Fourth instar nymphs were exposed to treated tomato leaflets, and their mortality was evaluated over 72h. In those treatments with low mortalities, sublethal effects on developed adults were evaluated (hind tibia length and adult survival). Moreover, the effects on progeny (nymphs/female, development time and hind tibia length) were evaluated in three oviposition dates. Abamectin was very toxic to nymphs, while methoxyfenozide, teflubenzuron and chlorantraniliprole caused low mortalities. Adult survival was not affected by the insecticides, however the growth regulators (teflubenzuron and methoxyfenozide) reduced the tibia length of females during the nymphal stage. The same reduction was observed for female progeny. The number of nymphs originated by exposed females was similar to the untreated control in all treatments. However, development time of M. basicornis progeny increased with the oviposition date, and treatments differed from control only in the last oviposition date. The results of this research indicate that, among the tested chemicals, chlorantraniliprole is the safest insecticide to M. basicornis.

Surveying multiple invasive pest species at the same time can help reduce the cost of detecting new pest invasions. In this paper, we describe a new method for mapping the relative likelihood of pest invasion via plant propagation material in a geographic setting. The method simulates the invasion of a range of pest species, including arrival in an uninvaded area, spread, and survival in a novel landscape, using information on the spatial and temporal distribution of the suitable host crop species and tentative knowledge of the spread and survival capacities of the target pests. The methodology is applied to a gridded map in which each map cell represents a site in a landscape. The method uses stochastic simulations to depict plausible realizations of the invasion outcomes and estimate the distribution of pest invasion likelihood for each cell in the area of concern. The method then prioritizes the cells based on the stochastic invasion outcomes using a pairwise stochastic dominance rule and a hypervolume indicator. We demonstrate the approach by assessing the relative likelihood of pest invasion for strawberry production in Finland. Our method helps to differentiate sites in a landscape using both the estimates of pest invasion risk and their uncertainty. It can be applied to prioritize sites for plant health surveys and allocate survey resources among large geographic regions. The approach is generalizable and can be used in situations where knowledge of the harmful pest species is poor or nonexistent.

2018

La Guía de procedimientos para la evaluación de riesgo de plantas como plagas (malezas) ha sido aplicada para el desarrollo del estudio de caso Ambrosia trífida. Con el interés de incrementar la capacidad técnica de la región para la utilización del proceso de análisis de riesgo de plagas (ARP), con énfasis en el análisis de plantas como plagas (malezas), para el fortalecimiento regional de la implementación de medidas fitosanitarias y el acceso a mercados. El caso desarrolla tres etapas; identificación del riesgo de plaga, evaluación del riesgo de plantas como plagas y el manejo del riesgo. | The Procedures Guide for the risk assessment of plants as pests (weeds) has been applied for the development of the case study Ambrosia trifida. With the interest of increasing the technical capacity of the region for the use of the pest risk analysis process (PRA), with emphasis on the analysis of plants as pests (weeds), for the regional strengthening of the implementation of phytosanitary measures and access to markets. The case develops three stages; pest risk identification, risk assessment of plants as pests and risk management. | O Guia de Procedimentos para a avaliação de risco de plantas como pragas (ervas daninhas) foi aplicado para o desenvolvimento do estudo de caso Ambrosia trifida. Com o interesse de aumentar a capacidade técnica da região para a utilização do processo de análise de risco de pragas (PRA), com ênfase na análise de plantas como pragas (ervas daninhas), para o fortalecimento regional da implementação de medidas fitossanitárias e acesso a mercados. O caso desenvolve-se em três etapas; identificação de risco de praga, avaliação de risco de plantas como praga e gestão de risco.

Plant protection products containing nanomaterials that alter the functionality or risk profile of active ingredients (nano-enabled pesticides) promise many benefits over conventional pesticide products. These benefits may include improved formulation characteristics, easier application, better targeting of pest species, increased efficacy, lower application rates, and enhanced environmental safety. After many years of research and development, nano-enabled pesticides are starting to make their way into the market. The introduction of this technology raises a number of issues for regulators, including how does the ecological risk assessment of nano-enabled pesticide products differ from that of conventional plant protection products? In this paper, a group drawn from regulatory agencies, academia, research, and the agrochemicals industry offers a perspective on relevant considerations pertaining to the problem formulation phase of the ecological risk assessment of nano-enabled pesticides. | Glen W. Walker, Rai S. Kookana, Natalie E. Smith, Melanie Kah, Casey L. Doolette, Philip T. Reeves, Wess Lovell, Darren J. Anderson, Terence W. Turney, and Divina A. Navarro

La Guía de procedimientos para la evaluación de riesgo de plantas como plagas (malezas) ha sido aplicada para el desarrollo de estudio del caso de Hydrocotyle batrachium. Con el interés de incrementar la capacidad técnica de la región para la utilización del proceso de análisis de riesgo de plagas (ARP), con énfasis en el análisis de plantas como plagas, con el interés del fortalecimiento regional de la implementación de medidas fitosanitarias y el acceso a mercados. El caso desarrolla tres etapas; identificación del riesgo de plaga, evaluación del riesgo de plantas como plagas y el manejo del riesgo. | The Procedures Guide for the risk assessment of plants as pests (weeds) has been applied for the development of the case study of Hydrocotyle batrachium. With the interest of increasing the technical capacity of the region for the use of the pest risk analysis process (PRA), with emphasis on the analysis of plants as pests, with the interest of regional strengthening of the implementation of phytosanitary measures and access to markets. The case develops three stages; pest risk identification, risk assessment of plants as pests and risk management. | O Guia de Procedimentos para a avaliação de risco de plantas como pragas (ervas daninhas) foi aplicado para o desenvolvimento do estudo de caso de Hydrocotyle batrachium. Com o interesse de aumentar a capacidade técnica da região para a utilização do processo de análise de risco de pragas (PRA), com ênfase na análise de plantas como pragas, com o interesse de fortalecimento regional do implementação de medidas fitossanitárias e acesso aos mercados. O caso desenvolve-se em três etapas; identificação de risco de praga, avaliação de risco de plantas como praga e gestão de risco.