Table 8.
The Panel's conclusions on the pest categorisation criteria defined in Regulation (EU) 2016/2031 on protective measures against pests of plants (the number of the relevant sections of the pest categorisation is shown in brackets in the first column)
| Criterion of pest categorisation | Panel's conclusions against criterion in Regulation (EU) 2016/2031 regarding Union quarantine pest | Panel's conclusions against criterion in Regulation (EU) 2016/2031 regarding Union regulated non‐quarantine pest | Key uncertainties |
|---|---|---|---|
| Identity of the pest (Section 3.1 ) | The identity of the pest is established. Conventional taxonomic keys based on morphology can be used to identify S. frugiperda. Molecular methods are also available | The identity of the pest is established. Conventional taxonomic keys based on morphology can be used to identify S. frugiperda. Molecular methods are also available | The existence of two genetically distinct strains of S. frugiperda indicates that the organism may be in the process of speciation |
| Absence/presence of the pest in the EU territory (Section 3.2 ) |
Spodoptera frugiperda is not known to be established in the EU. There are interception records for UK and NL but no establishment |
Spodoptera frugiperda is not known to be established in the EU. (A criterion to satisfy the definition of a regulated non‐quarantine pest is that the pest must be present in the risk assessment area ‐ this criterion is not met by S. frugiperda) | None |
| Regulatory status (Section 3.3 ) | Spodoptera frugiperda is currently regulated by Council Directive 2000/29/EC within which it is listed as a harmful organisms whose introduction into, and spread within, all member states shall be banned (i.e. it is aI/AI pest) | Spodoptera frugiperda is currently regulated by Council Directive 2000/29/EC within which it is listed as a harmful organisms whose introduction into, and spread within, all member states shall be banned (i.e. it is aI/AI pest) | |
| Pest potential for entry, establishment and spread in the EU territory (Section 3.4 ) | Spodoptera frugiperda can enter and potentially establish in the EU. It can be carried into the EU on several host commodities such as Capsicum, Solanum melongena and Momordicaand on cut flowers such as Rosa and Dianthus. If it were to establish it is likely to spread in summer months and form transient populations, particularly in maize growing regions of the EU. If S. frugiperda spreads into north Africa, the likelihood of adults entering the EU during summer migration from Africa increases | Plants for planting are not the main pathway for entry or spread | Whether or not S. frugiperda can establish, as opposed to form transient summer populations, in the EU is uncertain. More detailed and sophisticated modelling and mapping would better inform this judgment. If establishment is not possible then S. frugiperda would not meet a key criterion for it to be classified as a Union quarantine pest |
| Potential for consequences in the EU territory (Section 3.5 ) | Establishment in the EU could cause yield and quality losses in crops such as maize and rice | Larval feeding damage to hosts would impact on the quality of plants for planting and hence affect the value of hosts regarding their intended use | There is uncertainty about impacts on other hosts |
| Available measures (Section 3.6 ) | Measures are available to inhibit entry via traded commodities but these will have no affect against potential entry via natural migration | Plants for planting are not the main pathway for entry or spread | If S. frugiperda becomes able to reach the EU from Africa through annual migration then measures against traded commodities are undermined |
| Conclusion on pest categorisation (Section 4 ) | S. frugiperda does satisfy the criteria, that are within the remit of EFSA to assess, to be regarded as a Union quarantine pest | S. frugiperda does not meet the criteria of (a) occurring in the EU territory, and (b) plants for planting being the principal means of spread | None |
| Aspects of assessment to focus on/scenarios to address in future if appropriate | Spodoptera frugiperda is currently spreading in Africa. Any future more detailed assessment should consider focussing on adult entry from Africa via migratory flights and examine more of the factors affecting establishment so as to better identify any endangered area within the EU | ||