Pest categorisation of Synchytrium endobioticum

Area of Science:

• Plant Pathology
• Agricultural Entomology
• Phytosanitary Risk Assessment

Background:

• Synchytrium endobioticum causes potato wart disease, impacting Solanum tuberosum yield and tuber quality.
• The fungus is globally distributed and present in 16 EU Member States, with potential for wider establishment.
• Current EU regulations address potato wart disease, but uncertainties remain regarding pest distribution and entry pathways.

Purpose of the Study:

• To conduct a pest categorisation of Synchytrium endobioticum for the European Union.
• To assess the risk of S. endobioticum entry, establishment, and spread within the EU.
• To evaluate S. endobioticum's status as a potential Union quarantine pest.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing scientific literature and regulatory data.
• Analysis of pest distribution, host range, and pathways of entry.
• Assessment against EFSA criteria for quarantine and regulated non-quarantine pests.

Main Results:

• S. endobioticum is well-identified with reliable detection methods.
• Multiple entry pathways exist, including contaminated soil and potato tubers.
• The pest's presence in diverse EU climates suggests potential for widespread establishment.

Conclusions:

• S. endobioticum meets criteria for a potential Union quarantine pest.
• Current control relies on phytosanitary measures and resistant potato varieties.
• Further research is needed to address uncertainties in pest distribution and host range.