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Following a request from the European Commission, the Panel on Plant Health was asked to deliver a scientific opinion on 30 pest risk assessments made by France on organisms which are considered by France as harmful in four French overseas departments, i.e. French Guiana, Guadeloupe, Martinique and Réunion. In particular, the Panel was asked whether these organisms can be considered as harmful organisms for the endangered area of the above departments, in the meaning of the definition mentioned in Article 2.1.(e) of Directive 2000/29/EC and thus potentially eligible for addition to the list of harmful organisms in Directive 2000/29/EC.This document presents the opinion of the Panel on Plant Health on the simplified[1] pest risk assessment conducted by France on Prays endocarpa with French Guiana, Guadeloupe, Martinique and Réunion considered as endangered area.Prays endocarpa Meyrick (Insecta: Lepidoptera: Yponomeutidae), the citrus rind borer or citrus pock caterpillar, is usually found on Citrus, but has also been reported to attack other Rutaceae, including the bael tree Aegle marmelos. The larva feeds on the rind of different citrusfruit, causing gall-like swellings (pocks). Larval development is completed within these galls and the larvae never enter the endocarp. This species is distributed in parts of the Indian subcontinent, South-East Asia and the Pacific.The Panel examined in detail the risk assessment provided, and considered the accuracy and quality of the information provided and methods applied for pest risk assessment purposes. The review was based on the principles of the International Standard on Phytosanitary Measures ISPM No. 11[2]: Pest risk analysis for quarantine pests including analysis of environmental risks and living modified organisms (2004) by the International Plant Protection Convention (FAO, 2007).The Panel concludes that:* Many statements in this simplified risk assessment are neither substantiated by references nor supported by verifiable data. This applies to, amongst others, i) the possible introduction pathways, ii) the climatic similarities between the PRA area[3] and the area where the pest is currently distributed, iii) the size of the area under cultivation with susceptible hosts and the economic importance of these hosts in the PRA area, iv) current or potential control strategies, and v) the potential impact in the PRA area.* Information given in the pest risk assessment on the related species Prays endolemma, reported from the Philippines, is irrelevant for the pest risk assessment on P. endocarpa. It is recommended that this species be treated in a separate pest risk assessment.* The Panel considers the probability of entry to be very low, given the lack of trade in citrus fruit between the area of current distribution of P. endocarpa and the PRA area. Moreover, symptoms of infested fruit are very conspicuous and contaminated batches of citrus fruits could easily be detected prior to export. For the same reason, it is unlikely that passengers would carry infested citrus fruit the long distances from countries where P. endocarpa occurs into the PRA area.* The Panel agrees that the probability of establishment is very high, should the pest gain entry in the PRA area, given the presence of suitable host plants (citrus) and the fact that the pest is currently distributed in areas with similar climatic conditions to those in the PRA area.* The conclusion of the pest risk assessment that economic impacts would be "moderate to high" cannot be supported by the information given in the French document or that available in the literature. There is only sparse evidence of the harmfulness of P. endocarpa to citrus crops in its area of current distribution. In the majority of its current range, the organism is considered a minor pest of citrus and evidence of economic damage is confined to a limited number of reports in Indonesia. Varieties of citrus may differ in their susceptibility to the pest, but the pest risk assessment does not provide any information on cultivars of the different citrus crops grown in the PRA area.The degree of uncertainty is high, given the lack of data provided in the assessment and available in the scientific literature on the biology and impact of the organism.The Panel, based on the information provided in the document and on additional literature consulted, concludes that P. endocarpa is not appropriate for evaluation of pest risk management options for the French overseas departments of French Guiana, Guadeloupe, Martinique and Réunion and is thus not potentially eligible for addition to the list of harmful organisms in Directive 2000/29/EC

Following a request from the European Commission, the Panel on Plant Health was asked to deliver a scientific opinion on 30 pest risk assessments made by France on organisms, which are considered by France as harmful in four French overseas departments of French Guiana, Guadeloupe, Martinique and Réunion. In particular, the Panel was asked whether these organisms can be considered as harmful organisms for the endangered area of the above departments, in the meaning of the definition mentioned in Article 2.1.(e) of Directive 2000/29/EC and thus potentially eligible for addition to the list of harmful organisms in Directive 2000/29/EC.This document presents the opinion of the Panel on Plant Health on the simplified[1] pest risk assessment conducted by France on“Ralstonia sp.bacterium responsible for banana blood disease” with French Guiana, Guadeloupe, Martinique and Réunion considered as endangered area.Ralstonia sp. responsible for banana blood disease – also called blood disease bacterium (BDB) – is the causal agent in Indonesia of a lethal disease of dessert banana (Musa spp.), plantain (Musa spp.) and cooking banana, known as blood disease of banana.The Panel examined in detail the risk assessment provided, and considered the accuracy and quality of the information and methods applied for pest risk assessment purposes. The review was based on the principles and terminology of the International Standard on Phytosanitary Measures ISPM No. 11[2]: Pest risk analysis for quarantine pests including analysis of environmental risks and living modified organisms (2004) by the International Plant Protection Convention (FAO, 2007).The Panel observes that:*The pest risk assessment provides a very limited amount of information supported by scientific data to justify the conclusions reached. The probabilities of entry, establishment and spread and the potential impacts of BDB in the PRA area[3] should have been assessed separately for each department, due to the differing importance of banana crops in each of the departments. Furthermore, the new situation in the PRA area, in case the current phytosanitary regulations governing the imports of banana plant material are lifted, should have been taken into account in the document.*The entry pathways should have been considered and assessed in the document in terms of importance and risk,*French Guiana, which is part of the PRA area in the document, is not mentioned in the assessor’s general conclusion.The Panel concludes that:*The identity of the pathogen can be defined as “Ralstonia sp. agent of banana blood disease”, also called blood disease bacterium (BDB). Although the taxonomical position of the pathogen is not yet assigned by the International Committee on Taxonomy of Plant Pathogenic Bacteria, BDB can be identified by cultural and molecular methods*The entry of BDB into the French overseas departments through natural dispersal is not likely due to their great distance from the areas of the pathogen’s present distribution.*Under thecurrent regulations, the probability of entry of BDB on Musa (and ornamental Heliconia if proven a natural host) plant propagation material (other than vitroplants), banana fruit and soil would be low for French Guiana, Guadeloupe, Martinique and Réunion due to the import restrictions.*Should the current regulations governing the imports of banana plant material be lifted, the probability of entry of BDB on Musa (and ornamental Heliconia if proven a natural host) plant propagation material (other than vitroplants), banana fruit and soil would be moderate.*The probability of BDB entering the PRA area on vitroplants would be very low, as such production systems are characterised by high sanitation practices that ensure pathogen-free propagation material, provided that mother plants are carefully screened prior to collection of material for in vitro multiplication.*The probability of establishment and spread, should BDB gain entry into the PRA area, would be high, given that most of the endangered area has a climate similar to that of the pathogen’s present distribution, and that Musa host plants are present in the PRA area.*Within commercial plantations of bananas the disease effects could be mitigated by existing practices of de-budding and bagging of male flowers. However, additional routine sanitation measures would be necessary at extra costs. With the possibility of continuous re-infestation from the environment, the production costs would be structurally increased. The additional control costs may reduce the competitiveness of the banana industry in Guadeloupe and Martinique. As a result, employment may be reduced causing negative social impacts. There is uncertainty regarding the level of the cost increase.*Plantain and other cooking bananas are an important staple food and a large fraction is household-produced. Since the disease is likely not to be readily controllable in smallholdings and family gardens, high yield losses and a potential disruption of subsistence production and consumption patterns would occur. This may also cause negative social impacts. There is uncertainty regarding the availability and the costs of substitution foods, should the yield of cooking banana and plantain be substantially reduced. Similar effects are envisaged for Guiana, where the banana crop is an element of shifting cultivation.*Uncertainties of a moderate degree are related to the (i) host range of BDB, in particular the clarification of the status of Heliconia as a natural host (ii) the flower characteristics (bract dehiscence, sugar content of male flowers) of the banana cultivars grown in the French overseas departments, that may influence the spread by insects of BDB, (iii) the ability of the BDB to spread in the environment from fruit waste, (iv) the level of cost increase due to routine sanitation practices in commercial banana plantations, in case of BDB introduction, (v) the availability and the costs of substitution foods, should the yield of cooking banana and plantain be substantially reduced by the BDB introduction, (vi) the potential environmental impact (e.g. soil erosion, changes in biodiversity, etc) of the BDB in the PRA areaThe Panel, based on the information provided in the document and on additional literature consulted, concludes that BDB is appropriate for evaluation of pest risk management options for the endangered areas of Guadeloupe, Martinique and Réunion as stated in the conclusion of the document, and the panel reaches the same conclusion for French Guiana. Therefore, the panel concludes that BDB is potentially eligible for addition to the list of harmful organisms in Directive 2000/29/EC for all French overseas departments

Following a request from the European Commission, the Panel on Plant Health was asked to deliver a scientific opinion on 30 pest risk assessments made by France on organisms which are considered by France as harmful in four French overseas departments, i.e. French Guiana, Guadeloupe, Martinique and Réunion. In particular, the Panel was asked whether these organisms can be considered as harmful organisms for the endangered area of the above departments, in the meaning of the definition mentioned in Article 2.1.(e) of Directive 2000/29/EC and thus potentially eligible for addition to the list of harmful organisms in Directive 2000/29/EC.This document presents the opinion of the Panel on Plant Health on the full[1] the pest risk assessment conducted by France on Panonychus citri with French Guiana and Martinique considered as endangered areas.The citrus red mite Panonychus citri (McGregor) is a species distributed in all regions of the world. It primarily feeds on the upper surface of mature leaves, fruit and young branches, and may cause heavy leaf drop, twig dieback and fruit drop. P. citri has a wide host range including all species of citrus, apple, pear, peach, plum, carambola, papaya, loquat and grapevines. Citrus is the major host, and although P. citri is polyphagous, the above effects have only been recorded on the major host (CABI, 2007). P. citri has a short generation time: up to 16 generations may occur within one year, with the majority of these (10-11) in spring/summer (Jeppson et al., 1975). It relies on wind for long-distance dispersal (Jeppson et al., 1975). Natural enemies are important for the biocontrol of P. citri wherever it occurs. Existing control programs (IPM, application of petroleum spray oil) may control P. citri but effective biocontrol strategies exist (New South Wales, Australia, Smith et al., 1997).The Panel examined in detail the risk assessment provided, and considered the accuracy and quality of the information provided and methods applied for pest risk assessment purposes. The review was based on the principles of the International Standard on Phytosanitary Measures ISPM No. 11[2]: Pest risk analysis for quarantine pests including analysis of environmental risks and living modified organisms (2004) by the International Plant Protection Convention (FAO, 2007b).The pest risk assessment concludes that the risk of introduction into French Guiana and Martinique is moderate for the citrus fruits pathway, high for the citrus plants for planting (whole plants and budwood for grafting). The risk of establishment is very high, and the potential economic impact is moderate.The Panel judges that the probability of the pest to enter the PRA area[3] is higher than moderate because:* Normal pre-packing procedures should eliminate the pest from the fruit but not all imported citrus fruit undergoes this treatment,* The pest may occur in the calyx and not be detected during inspection,* The current restrictions limit the probability of entry through the citrus plant pathway (including propagation material), but* Other host plants, including ornamentals, can carry the pest, and* The passenger pathway, although unknown, can seriously increase the probability of entryFurther, the Panel agrees that P. citri has a high probability of establishment, due to its polyphagous nature, the presence of suitable environmental conditions, widely dispersed host plants in the PRA area, and the high dispersal ability of the pest. Once established, the pest can spread rapidly.The Panel disagrees with the rating of economic consequences in the pest risk assessment. There is only limited evidence of the harmfulness of P. citri to citrus crops in its area of current distribution and no evidence of harm to other host plants. Further, effective management methods exist to control the pest (pesticides and biological control methods).Additionally, citrus fruits are not grown extensively for commercial purposes in the PRA area, therefore the economic consequences of the presence of the pest, as also pointed out in the pest risk assessment, are not expected to be serious.Uncertainty exists about the absence of the pest from the PRA area, quality and reliability of treatment of fruit transported from areas where the pest is present, and the efficacy of existing biological control agents in the PRA area. These, however, are not expected to influence the overall conclusion.The Panel disagrees with the conclusion of the French document, and does not consider P. citri as appropriate for pest risk management. Therefore, the Panel concludes that P. citri is not potentially eligible for addition to the list of harmful organisms of Directive 2000/29 EC

Following a request from the European Commission, the Panel on Plant Health was asked to deliver a scientific opinion on 30 pest risk assessments made by France on organisms which are considered by France as harmful in four French overseas departments, i.e. French Guiana, Guadeloupe, Martinique and Réunion. In particular, the Panel was asked whether these organisms can be considered as harmful organisms for the endangered area of the above departments, in the meaning of the definition mentioned in Article 2.1.(e) of Directive 2000/29/EC and thus potentially eligible for addition to the list of harmful organisms in Directive 2000/29/EC. This document presents the opinion of the Panel on Plant Health on the simplified[2]Guadeloupe, Martinique and Réunion considered as endangered area. pest risk assessment conducted by France on Erionota thrax L. with French Guiana, Erionota thrax (L.) (Insecta: Lepidoptera: Hesperiidae), the palm redeye, banana skipper or banana leafroller, is a pest of bananas, Musa textilis, and some other Zingiberales. Larvae feed on leaves of cultivated and wild banana plants. In its native areas, the defoliation of banana plants is usually very low, but in non-native areas it can be serious during outbreaks and favourable weather conditions. Complete defoliation has been reported sporadically. The Panel examined the risk assessment in detail, and considered the accuracy and quality of the information provided and methods applied for pest risk assessment purposes. It came to the conclusion that the information material provided in the document could be considerably improved. The review was based on the principles of the International Standard on Phytosanitary Measures ISPM No. 11[3]: Pest risk analysis for quarantine pests including analysis of environmental risks and living modified organisms (2004) by the International Plant Protection Convention (FAO, 2007b). The Panel concluded that it is not possible to conduct a risk assessment on E. thrax alone because of uncertainties with its taxonomy and the general confusion in the literature about Erionota spp. The document is therefore, in effect, not a risk assessment just for E. thrax but also for three other closely related Erionota spp. (E. torus, E. hiraca, and E. surprisa). The judgements made by the Panel – if not specified otherwise – thus refer to all four of these closely related Erionota spp. On this basis, the Panel, in general, accepts the conclusions in the French document. The Panel agrees that Erionota spp. have a low probability of entry for the French Guiana, Guadeloupe and Martinique due to the long distance from its current area of distribution and the existing phytosanitary legislation. However, the probability of Erionota spp. gaining entry to French Guiana, Guadeloupe and Martinique would be moderate if the current regulations governing imports of banana material were lifted. The probability of entry for Réunion is higher due to its proximity to Mauritius where Erionota spp. are present. The probability of Erionota sppthe areas where the 4 species currently occur. . establishing in the PRA area[4] after entry is high, since host plants are grown in the PRA area and the climatic conditions are similar to The Erionota spp. can have severe impacts on banana in certain situations. However, the conclusion of the French document that the economic impact would be “extremely high” for Guadeloupe and Martinique and “fairly high” for French Guiana and Réunion cannot be supported by the Panel on the basis of the information provided in the pest risk assessment or from the information available in the scientific literature. Based on the information available, the Panel concludes that the impact of Erionota spp. would be low for French Guiana and Réunion and moderate for the Guadeloupe and Martinique. However, without additional information on the pest and the impacts it causes in Mauritius, the risk posed to Réunion and the other French overseas departments cannot be reliably clarified. The Panel concludes that (a) the probability of entry is low for French Guiana, Guadeloupe and Martinique, and higher for Réunion, (b) the probability of establishment is high for all the French overseas departments, and (c) the potential for economic damage is low for French Guiana and Réunion and moderate for Guadeloupe and Martinique. The Panel, based on the information provided in the document and on additional literature consulted, concludes that E. thrax and the three other closely related Erionota spp. are appropriate for evaluation of pest risk management options for the endangered areas of French Guiana, Guadeloupe, Martinique and Réunion and thus potentially eligible for addition to the list of harmful organisms in Directive 2000/29/EC.

Following a request from the European Commission, the Panel on Plant Health was asked to deliver a scientific opinion on 30 pest risk assessments made by France on organisms which are considered by France as harmful in four French overseas departments, i.e. French Guiana, Guadeloupe, Martinique and Réunion. In particular, the Panel was asked whether these organisms can be considered as harmful organisms for the endangered area of the above departments, in the meaning of the definition mentioned in Article 2.1.(e) of Directive 2000/29/EC and thus potentially eligible for addition to the list of harmful organisms in Directive 2000/29/EC.This document presents the opinion of the Panel on Plant Health on the simplified[2] pest risk assessment conducted by France on Xanthomonas campestris pv. musacearumwith French Guiana, Guadeloupe, Martinique and Réunion considered as endangered area.The bacterium Xanthomonas campestris pv. musacearum is the causal agent of an emerging disease of bananas, called Xanthomonas wilt. The disease, which results in wilting and eventually in death of plants, already causes serious phytosanitary problems in some Eastern African countries.The Panel examined in detail the risk assessment provided, and considered the accuracy and quality of the information provided and methods applied for pest risk assessment purposes. The review was based on the principles of the International Standard on Phytosanitary Measures ISPM No. 11[3]: Pest risk analysis for quarantine pests including analysis of environmental risks and living modified organisms (2004) by the International Plant Protection Convention (FAO, 2007c).The Panel concludes that the following information were not sufficiently taken into consideration nor adequately documented in the pest risk assessment prepared by France:*specificities related to the geographic location of each of the four French overseas departments,*potential pathways of entry,*climatic similarities between the PRA area[4] and the areas where the bacterium is present,*area of land cultivated with banana and the distribution of banana plantations and/or private gardens in each of the French overseas departments,*banana cultivars grown in the PRA area and the characteristics concerning their flower phenology,*economic importance of banana crop for each of the French overseas departments,*banana cropping system in the PRA area including present or future control strategies, and*potential impacts (economic, social, environmental) in the PRA area.The Panel recognizes that X. campestris pv. musacearum is a recently emerging bacterium of banana and, therefore, most of the information regarding the taxonomy and host range of the bacterium and the epidemiology and impacts of the disease has been published subsequent to the date the document was compiled (July 2003). However, greater inference could have been made from information available on Ralstonia solanacearum race 2 (Moko disease), which appears to have a similar epidemiology and management strategies.The Panel notes that French Guiana, which is part of the PRA area in the document, is not mentioned in the assessor’s general conclusion.The Panel concludes that:*Under current regulations banning the import of banana host plant material, the entry of the pathogen into French Guiana, Guadeloupe and Martinique would be unlikely, whilst its probability would be higher for Réunion through uncontrolled/illegal trade and passengers transportation of banana and enset plant material, due to its geographic relative proximity to East Africa, where the pathogen is present and widespread.*If the current regulations were rescinded, the Panel considers that the market globalization would increase the probability of entry of the bacterium through trade of banana and enset vegetative propagation material and fruit originating from contaminated areas.*The widespread presence of the disease in East Africa increases the probability of entry of the bacterium into Réunion through local trade and tourism. Risk seems to be lower for the other three French overseas departments, which are located far from Africa. Due to the geographical distance, the probability of X. campestris pv. musacearum entering into the four French overseas departments via vectors, such as nectar- and/or fruit-feeding insects, birds or bats, is estimated as low.*The probability of entry of the bacterium into the French overseas departments by trade on commodities other than Ensete spp. and Musa spp. would be low, considering that the only other hosts (i.e. Canna orchoides, C. indica and maize) were reported under artificial inoculations.*In agreement with the document, should the bacterium enter the PRA area, the probability of establishment and spread would be high for all French overseas departments.*Within commercial plantations of dessert bananas the disease effects would be high in the absence of any control strategy, but they would be mitigated by the existing practices of bagging and de-budding. Sanitation and eradication would be necessary at extra costs and these costs might reduce the competitiveness of the banana industry in Guadeloupe and Martinique. As a result, employment might be reduced causing negative social impacts.*Plantain and cooking banana are an important staple food and a large fraction is household-produced. Since the disease is not readily controllable in smallholdings and family gardens, high yield losses and a potential disruption of subsistence production and consumption patterns would occur. This may also cause negative social impacts. There is uncertainty regarding the availability and the costs of substitution foods, should the yield of cooking banana and plantain be substantially reduced. Similar effects are envisaged for French Guiana, where the banana crop is an element of shifting cultivation.*The degree of uncertainty concerning the host range of the bacterium, its survival in soil and plant debris, its airborne vectors, the control strategies and the economic impact cannot be considered as low, as estimated in the document. The Panel considers those uncertainties as moderate due to the limited information available on the bacterium and on the disease, both in the document and in the literature.The Panel, based on the information provided in the document and on additional literature consulted, concludes that X. campestris pv. musacearum is appropriate for evaluation of pest risk management options for the endangered areas of Guadeloupe, Martinique and Réunion, as stated in the conclusion of the document, and the Panel reaches the same conclusion for French Guiana. Therefore, the panel concludes that X. campestris pv. musacearum is potentially eligible for addition to the list of harmful organisms in Directive 2000/29/EC for all French overseas departments.

Following a request from the European Commission, the Panel on Plant Health was asked to deliver a scientific opinion on 30 pest risk assessments made by France on organisms which are considered by France as harmful in four French overseas departments, i.e. French Guiana, Guadeloupe, Martinique and Réunion. In particular, the Panel was asked whether these organisms can be considered as harmful organisms for the endangered area of the above departments, in the meaning of the definition mentioned in Article 2.1.(e) of Directive 2000/29/EC and thus potentially eligible for addition to the list of harmful organisms in Directive 2000/29/EC.This document presents the opinion of the Panel on Plant Health on the full[1] pest risk assessment conducted by France on Mycosphaerella citri with Réunion considered as endangered area.Mycosphaerella citri is responsible for greasy spot and greasy spot rind blotch disease of citrus. The organism affects leaves and fruit resulting in defoliation and fruit blemishes. Yield losses of up to 45% have been reported for this disease.Grapefruit, lemon, early oranges and tangelos are most susceptible to greasy spot. The disease has also been noted on other genera of the family Rutaceae.The disease is spread by ascospores ejected by pseudothecia which have developed on decaying leaf litter. The life cycle of the disease is slow allowing considerable scope for control. High humidity and temperature favour disease development but the organism can complete its life cycle in arid regions also.The Panel examined in detail the risk assessment provided, and considered the accuracy and quality of the information provided and methods applied for pest risk assessment purposes. The review was based on the principles of the International Standard on Phytosanitary Measures ISPM No. 11[2]: Pest risk analysis for quarantine pests including analysis of environmental risks and living modified organisms (2004) by the International Plant Protection Convention (FAO, 2007b).The Panel concludes that:* If the current restrictions are rescinded, the probability of entry of M. citri into the PRA area[3] would be moderate to high on leafy propagation material but otherwise would be low.* The occurrence of family gardens containing host plants and the favourability of the climate would facilitate establishment and that therefore the probability of establishment would be moderate to high.* The probability of spread would be high due to the dispersal mechanism of the fungus, the likely occurrence of a large number of small holdings and family gardens cultivating citrus, where control measures are not usually undertaken, and the movement of leafy propagation material within the PRA area.* In agreement with the French document, the economic, social and environmental impacts would be moderate but only if disease control measures currently used against other citrus foliar pathogens in the PRA area were also effective against M. citri. Otherwise the Panel considers that additional control measures would be necessary leading to additional costs and that under these circumstances a rating of high would be appropriate.* Uncertainties remain regarding the geographical distribution of the pest, the host range of the pest and the effectiveness against M. citri of control measures currently employed in the PRA area against other citrus diseases.The Panel concludes that M. citri can be considered as a harmful organism for the French overseas department of Réunion in the meaning of the definition mentioned in Article 2.1.(e) of Directive 2000/29/EC and thus eligible for addition to the list of harmful organisms in Directive 2000/29/EC

Following a request from the European Commission, the Panel on Plant Health was asked to deliver a scientific opinion on 30 pest risk assessments made by France on organisms which are considered by France as harmful in four French overseas departments, i.e. French Guiana, Guadeloupe, Martinique and Réunion. In particular, the Panel was asked whether these organisms can be considered as harmful organisms for the endangered area of the above departments, in the meaning of the definition mentioned in Article 2.1. (e) of Directive 2000/29/EC and thus potentially eligible for addition to the list of harmful organisms in Directive 2000/29/EC.This document presents the opinion of the Panel on Plant Health on the full[2] pest risk assessment conducted by France on Fusarium oxysporum Schlecht. f. sp. cubense (E.F. Smith) W.C. Snyder & H.S. Hansen with French Guiana, Guadeloupe, Martinique and Réunion considered as endangered area.F. oxysporum f. sp. cubense is responsible for Fusarium wilt (also known as Panama disease), which is one of the most destructive diseases of banana world-wide. Control of the disease is restricted to husbandry measures and cultivar resistance.F. oxysporum f. sp. cubense has been divided into races based on its pathogenicity on reference host cultivars. Among the most significant races of F. oxysporum f. sp. cubense pathogenic to edible banana, race 1 affects mainly the cultivar ‘Gros Michel’, race 2 affects bananas of the Bluggoe sub-group, race 4 affects all cultivars in the Cavendish sub-group grown in subtropical climates plus cultivars susceptible to races 1 and 2. F. oxysporum f. sp. cubense race 4 is commonly known as ‘subtropical race 4’. F. oxysporum f. sp. cubense ‘tropical race 4’ (hereinafter T4) is a new variant, which was recognised in the early 1990s and is responsible for serious losses of cultivars in the Cavendish subgroup in some areas of tropical South East Asia.Both races 1 and 2 are reported to be endemic in the PRA area[3], while races 4 and T4 are not known to be present. Race 4 has been under quarantine regulation since 1992 for French Guiana, Guadeloupe, Martinique and Réunion.The Panel examined in detail the risk assessment provided, and considered the accuracy and quality of the information provided and methods applied for pest risk assessment purposes. The review was based on the principles of the International Standard on Phytosanitary Measures ISPM No. 11[4]: Pest risk analysis for quarantine pests, including analysis of environmental risks and living modified organisms (2004) by the International Plant Protection Convention (FAO, 2007b).Following a detailed analysis of the material provided in the pest risk assessment and after additional study of published information on the pathogen and the disease it causes, the Panel observes that:*The document only cites one reference, which is a review article. As a consequence, statements in the pest risk assessment are not individually referenced or supported by verifiable scientific data.*The risk assessor identifies the pest as F. oxysporum f.sp. cubense, which implies that all races are under consideration. However most of the document focuses only on races4 and T4. This confuses the identity of the subject organism of the pest risk assessment.*F. oxysporum f.sp. cubense, races 1 and 2 are reported to be present in most departments defined as the PRA area (i.e. French Guiana, Guadeloupe and Martinique) and are not reported to be under official control in the document. Races 4 and T4 are not known to be present in the PRA area.The Panel concludes that:*Only the races 4 and T4 fulfil the criteria for a quarantine pest[5], as they are not known to occur in the PRA area and have the potential for establishment and spread and for negative economic consequences in the PRA area.*In agreement with the document, the probability of entry of F. oxysporum f.sp. cubense races 4 and T4 into the PRA area on conventional planting material, from countries where the disease is present, would be high if present import restrictions were rescinded.*In agreement with the document, the probability of establishment for F. oxysporum f.sp. cubense race 4, which attacks Cavendish cultivars in the subtropics, would be low, except for those parts of the PRA area with subtropical climate, where the probability for establishment of race 4 would be high.*The probability of establishment for F. oxysporum f.sp. cubense race T4, which is able to attack Cavendish cultivars in the tropics, would be high (rather than “moderate”), as most of the endangered area has a tropical climate and no commercial Cavendish cultivars resistant to race T4 have yet been developed or tested in the French overseas departments.*In agreement with the document, the potential economic impacts of races 4 and T4 would be ’high’. Plantations of dessert bananas for export and smallholdings and family gardens producing fruit for the local market or for home-consumption would suffer severe yield losses. Concerning social impacts, for Guadeloupe and Martinique there could be a reduction in employment in commercial plantations, whilst a potential disruption of subsistence production and consumption patterns could occur among smallholders and family gardens.The Panel, based on the information provided in the document and on additional literature consulted, concludes that F. oxysporum f.sp. cubense races 4 and T4 are appropriate for evaluation of pest risk management options for the endangered areas of French Guiana, Guadeloupe, Martinique and Réunion, and thus potentially eligible for addition to the list of harmful organisms in Directive 2000/29/EC.

Following a request from the European Commission, the Panel on Plant Health was asked to deliver a scientific opinion on 30 pest risk assessments made by France on organisms which are considered by France as harmful in four French overseas departments, i.e. French Guiana, Guadeloupe, Martinique and Réunion. In particular, the Panel was asked whether these organisms can be considered as harmful organisms for the endangered area of the above departments, in the meaning of the definition mentioned in Article 2.1.(e) of Directive 2000/29/EC and thus potentially eligible for addition to the list of harmful organisms in Directive 2000/29/EC.This document presents the opinion of the Panel on Plant Health on the simplified[2] pest risk assessment conducted by France on Nacoleia octasema with French Guiana, Guadeloupe, Martinique and Réunion considered as endangered area.Nacoleia octasema Meyrick, the banana scab moth, (Insecta: Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) is primarily a pest of bananas and plantains (Musa spp.). In addition, it has been reported to attack, as minor hosts, Heliconia spp., Nypa fruticans (the Nypa palm), Pandanus spp. and maize. The larvae feed on the skin of the banana fruit creating black scars that may greatly reduce their market value. In some parts of its range, primarily the East Indies, it does not feed on bananas. Since no intraspecific taxonomic characteristics have been identified, it is suggested that this is due to races with different host ranges. Serious economic damage has been recorded in Queensland and Fiji. Its distribution is restricted to Australasia, south-east Asia and the Pacific islands.The Panel examined in detail the risk assessment provided, and considered the accuracy and quality of the information provided and methods applied for pest risk assessment purposes. The review was based on the principles of the International Standard on Phytosanitary Measures ISPM No. 11[3]: Pest risk analysis for quarantine pests including analysis of environmental risks and living modified organisms (2004) by the International Plant Protection Convention (FAO, 2007b).The pest risk assessment is short and based very strongly on the CABI Crop Protection Compendium datasheet (2001) but it does provide sufficient evidence to support the conclusions reached.The Panel agrees with the pest risk assessment which states that entry is very unlikely since the pupa is the only stage that could be transported. Any pupae in the fruit bunches are likely to be washed off and plant debris from the base of infested banana trees is very unlikely to occur with young plants. Even if the current ban on banana imports is lifted, the pest will have a very low probability of surviving the specific conditions of transport and trade with countries where the pest occurs. Imports are very unlikely since these countries are so far from the French overseas departments and home-produced fruit is readily available. Passengers are also very unlikely to carry banana fruit that might contain N. octasema the long distances from countries where the pest occurs into the French overseas departments.The Panel agrees that the potential for establishment is very high due to the similarities in climate between the pest’s current area of distribution and the French overseas departments and the abundance of suitable hosts in the PRA area[4]. The Panel agrees with the high risk rating of impacts for Guadeloupe and Martinique because of the potential loss of export markets. However, the impacts in French Guiana and Réunion, that do not have export markets, are likely to be minor.In summary, therefore, N. octasema poses a risk of high impact to Guadeloupe and Martinique and low impact to French Guiana and Réunion but the probability of the impacts occurring is very low. It is very difficult to come to a firm conclusion in situations of very low probability and high impact but the Panel agreed that, on balance, an analysis of risk management options would be appropriate because it could be used to determine whether the very unlikely risk of entry could be reduced to negligible with simple measures. The Panel therefore concludes that N. octasema does have the characteristics of a quarantine pest[5] for Guadeloupe and Martinique and that the analysis of risk management options is appropriate for these two French overseas departments. Using the terminology in Directive 2000/29/EC, this means that the Panel concludes that this species is a harmful organism for Guadeloupe and Martinique and is therefore potentially eligible for listing in Directive 2000/29/EC.

Following a request from the European Commission, the Panel on Plant Health was asked to deliver a scientific opinion on 30 pest risk assessments made by France on organisms which are considered by France as harmful in four French overseas departments, i.e. French Guiana, Guadeloupe, Martinique and Réunion. In particular, the Panel was asked whether these organisms can be considered as harmful organisms for the endangered area of the above departments, in the meaning of the definition mentioned in Article 2.1.(e) of Directive 2000/29/EC and thus potentially eligible for addition to the list of harmful organisms in Directive 2000/29/EC.This document presents the opinion of the Panel on Plant Health on the full[2] pest risk assessment conducted by France on Banana bunchy top virus (BBTV) with French Guiana, Guadeloupe, Martinique and Réunion considered as endangered area.Banana bunchy top virus (BBTV) is a well-characterised virus of the family Nanoviridae, which infects banana and plantain.The Panel examined in detail the risk assessment provided, and considered the accuracy and quality of the information provided and methods applied for pest risk assessment purposes. The review was based on the principles of the International Standard on Phytosanitary Measures ISPM No. 11[3]: Pest risk analysis for quarantine pests including analysis of environmental risks and living modified organisms (2004) by the International Plant Protection Convention (FAO, 2007b).Although the pest risk assessment could be improved, and additional information provided to substantiate the statements made and ratings given in the assessment, the Panel agrees with the conclusion of the French document that the phytosanitary risk associated with BBTV is extremely high.BBTV is a highly pathogenic agent for banana, and thus the Panel concludes that the negative economic consequences of its introduction are very high, both for commercial plantations of dessert bananas in Guadeloupe and Martinique and production of plantain and cooking banana in small holdings and private gardens throughout the PRA area[4]. The Panel concludes that BBTV has a high probability of entry and a high probability of establishment in the French overseas departments, and that the international movement of large quantities of vitroplants represents the most important entry pathway. The Panel further considers that virus indexing of mother plants used for vitroplant production, provides an effective means to prevent entry of BBTV.The overall conclusion of the Panel is that BBTV is appropriate for evaluation of pest risk management options for the endangered areas of French Guiana, Guadeloupe, Martinique and Réunion and thus potentially eligible for addition to the list of harmful organisms in Directive 2000/29/EC.