Overview of the evaluation of M. Fallax for bare root plants
Rating of the likelihood of pest freedom	Extremely frequently pest free (based on the median)
Percentile of the distribution	5%	25%	Median	75%	95%
Proportion of pest‐free plants/bundles	9837 out of 10,000 plants/bundles	9902 out of 10,000 plants/bundles	9943 out of 10,000 plants/bundles	9973 out of 10,000 plants/bundles	9994 out of 10,000 plants/bundles
Percentile of the distribution	5%	25%	Median	75%	95%
Proportion of infected plants/bundles	6 out of 10,000 plants/bundles	27 out of 10,000 plants/bundles	57 out of 10,000 plants/bundles	98 out of 10,000 plants/bundles	163 out of 10,000 plants/bundles
Summary of the information used for the evaluation	Possibility that the pest could become associated with the commodity The scenarios applied in the elicitation for Acer campestre in a previous EFSA opinion (EFSA PLH Panel, 2023b) were considered in the current elicitation. Meloidogyne fallax is present in the UK with restricted distribution. Suitable hosts are present in the surroundings. Betula pendula is a host of M. fallax. Due to the polyphagous nature of Meloidogyne spp. it is likely that also B. pubescens would be a host. The pest can enter the nurseries and spread within the nurseries with infected plant material and movement of soil attached to machinery, tools and shoes. The plants could become infected during the growth in the soil in the fields. Measures taken against the pest and their efficacy General measures taken by the nurseries are effective against the nematode. These measures include (a) the use of certified plant material; (b) the use of heat‐treated growing media; (c) inspections, surveillance, monitoring, sampling and laboratory testing; and (d) hygiene measures. Interception records In the EUROPHYT/TRACES‐NT database, there are no records of notification of Betula plants for planting neither from the UK nor from other countries due to the presence of M. fallax between the years 1995 and January 2024 (EUROPHYT, 2024; TRACES‐NT, 2024). Shortcomings of current measures/procedures Low‐pressure water is used for washing roots before export. This washing may not be as effective as using high pressure water in removing the soil, thereby making symptoms less visible. Main uncertainties – Whether symptoms may be promptly detected on Betula spp. – Pest pressure in the nurseries and in the surrounding areas – The level to which the low‐pressure water can remove the soil

Overview of the evaluation of M. fallax for plants in pots
Rating of the likelihood of pest freedom	Extremely frequently pest free (based on the median)
Percentile of the distribution	5%	25%	Median	75%	95%
Proportion of pest‐free plants/bundles	9812 out of 10,000 plants/bundles	9888 out of 10,000 plants/bundles	9937 out of 10,000 plants/bundles	9972 out of 10,000 plants/bundles	9995 out of 10,000 plants/bundles
Percentile of the distribution	5%	25%	Median	75%	95%
Proportion of infected plants/bundles	5 out of 10,000 plants/bundles	28 out of 10,000 plants/bundles	63 out of 10,000 plants/bundles	112 out of 10,000 plants/bundles	188 out of 10,000 plants/bundles
Summary of the information used for the evaluation	Possibility that the pest could become associated with the commodity The scenarios applied in the elicitation for Acer campestre in a previous EFSA opinion (EFSA PLH Panel, 2023b) were considered in the current elicitation. Meloidogyne fallax is present in the UK with restricted distribution. Suitable hosts are present in the surroundings of the nurseries. Betula pendula is a host of M. fallax. Due to the polyphagous nature of Meloidogyne spp. it is likely that also B. pubescens would be a host. The pest can enter the nurseries and spread within the nurseries with infected plant material and movement of soil attached to machinery, tools and shoes. The plants could become infected during the growth in the soil in the fields. Measures taken against the pest and their efficacy General measures taken by the nurseries are effective against the nematode. These measures include (a) the use of certified plant material; (b) the use of heat‐treated growing media; (c) inspections, surveillance, monitoring, sampling and laboratory testing; (d) hygiene measures; and (e) separation of the pots from soil. Interception records In the EUROPHYT/TRACES‐NT database, there are no records of notification of Betula plants for planting neither from the UK nor from other countries due to the presence of M. fallax between the years 1995 and January 2024 (EUROPHYT, 2024; TRACES‐NT, 2024). Shortcomings of current measures/procedures Inspections of plants in pots before export may not include root systems Main uncertainties – Whether symptoms may be promptly detected on Betula spp. – The length of the asymptomatic phase in Betula spp. – Pest pressure in the nurseries and in the surrounding areas – The level to which the low‐pressure water can remove the soil before potting

Overview of the evaluation of M. fallax for specimen trees
Rating of the likelihood of pest freedom	Very frequently pest free (based on the median)
Percentile of the distribution	5%	25%	Median	75%	95%
Proportion of pest‐free plants	9735 out of 10,000 plants	9824 out of 10,000 plants	9895 out of 10,000 plants	9952 out of 10,000 plants	9991 out of 10,000 plants
Percentile of the distribution	5%	25%	Median	75%	95%
Proportion of infected plants	9 out of 10,000 plants	48 out of 10,000 plants	105 out of 10,000 plants	176 out of 10,000 plants	265 out of 10,000 plants
Summary of the information used for the evaluation	Possibility that the pest could become associated with the commodity The scenarios applied in the elicitation for Acer campestre in a previous EFSA opinion (EFSA PLH Panel, 2023b) were considered in the current elicitation. Meloidogyne fallax is present in the UK with restricted distribution. Suitable hosts are present in the surroundings of the nurseries. Betula pendula is a host of M. fallax. Due to the polyphagous nature of Meloidogyne spp. it is likely that also B. pubescens would be a host. The pest can enter the nurseries and spread within the nurseries with infected plant material and movement of soil attached to machinery, tools and shoes. The plants could become infected during the growth in the soil in the fields. Contact with field soil may have been up to 9 years. Measures taken against the pest and their efficacy General measures taken by the nurseries are effective against the nematode. These measures include (a) the use of certified plant material; (b) the use of heat‐treated growing media; (c) inspections, surveillance, monitoring, sampling and laboratory testing; and (d) hygiene measures. Interception records In the EUROPHYT/TRACES‐NT database, there are no records of notification of Betula plants for planting neither from the UK nor from other countries due to the presence of M. fallax between the years 1995 and January 2024 (EUROPHYT, 2024; TRACES‐NT, 2024).
Summary of the information used for the evaluation	Shortcomings of current measures/procedures None observed Main uncertainties – Whether symptoms may be promptly detected on Betula spp. – Pest pressure in the nurseries and in the surrounding areas – The level to which the washing of roots can remove the soil before potting – Whether plants during transplanting have undergone an inspection of roots allowing the detection of symptoms

Note: For more details, see relevant pest data sheet on Meloidogyne fallax (Section A.2 in Appendix A).