Pest categorisation of Beet curly top virus (non‐EU isolates)

摘要

The Panel on Plant Health performed a pest categorisation of non‐ isolates of Beet curly top virus ( ) for the European Union territory. The virus causes severe diseases in beet, tomatoes and pepper crops, occurs predominantly in warm and dry zones and is reported from many countries outside the in particular from western and Mexico. New data from complete virus genomes make a well characterised virus species of which currently 11 strains are known and for which diagnostic methods are available. has a very broad host range of more than 300 species some of which may remain symptomless. Aside from vegetative propagation of infected plants, the only mode of transmission and spread is by the leafhopper which efficiently transmits the virus in a persistent mode and which is present in several southern Member States. No current reports of presence in the exist and because of doubts about the accuracy of older reports, likely is absent from the territory. can enter into the with viruliferous insects and with imports of plants not subject to specific regulation. Because both the virus and its vector have a wide host range, is expected to establish and spread in the Member States where its vector is present and to cause severe diseases in sugar beet and tomato as well as in other crops. Overall, non‐ isolates meet all the criteria evaluated by to qualify as a Union quarantine pest and do not meet the criterion of presence in the to qualify as a Union regulated non‐quarantine pest ( ). The main uncertainties concern (1) the presence of in the , (2) the distribution of and (3) the main commodities for virus entry.