Procedures for inspection for Xylella fastidiosa

A procedure for inspection of consignments and of places of production for Xylella fastidiosa has been published in two articles in the EPPO Bulletin. Xylella fastidiosa is a xylem-limited plant pathogen considered to cause several diseases in a wide range of cultivated and wild host plants, especially in North, Central and South America. Outside the Americas, diseases associated with X. fastidiosa have been reported in Taiwan and in the EU it is a regulated pest.

Inspection of consignments for Xylella fastidiosa
This Standard describes the procedures for inspection of consignments for detection of Xylella fastidiosa on host plants. All potential host plants have been considered as well as insects which are vectors of the pest. The Standard can be applied to phytosanitary import inspection, including sampling and identification of symptoms. The Standard does not state what phytosanitary action should be taken in response to finding the pest, but may indicate where, for example, a consignment should be held pending a test result (EPPO, 2009).

Click here to read the complete article at onlinelibrary.wiley.com.

Inspection of places of production for Xylella fastidiosa
This Standard describes the procedures for inspection of places of production of plants for planting which are susceptible to Xylella fastidiosa. All potential host plants have been considered as well as insects which are vectors of the pest. The scope of a place of production inspection may be for export or for internal country movements of materials or as an element of a national survey. Further inspections would be needed to determine freedom of a country or area from the pest concerned. The Standard does not cover eradication or containment measures in infected areas, or measures needed to establish and maintain pest-free places of production within areas where the pest is known to occur.

Click here to read the complete article at onlinelibrary.wiley.com.