Table 5.

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 well established; it can be identified with reliable and sensitive molecular diagnostic techniques	The identity of the pest is well established; it can be identified with reliable and sensitive molecular diagnostic techniques	Uncertainties concerning the relationship of CCCVd‐related RNAs with CCCVd
Absence/presence of the pest in the EU territory (Section 3.2)	CCCVd is not known to occur in the EU territory	CCCVd is not known to occur in the EU territory, therefore does not qualify as a Union RNQP	Although not documented, some CCCVd isolates might be present in the EU
Regulatory status (Section 3.3 )	CCCVd is currently regulated on Palmae (Arecaceae) plants for planting by 2000/29/EC. Emergency measures set with the Commission Decision 2007/365/EC for R. ferrugineus and many palm species may improve the efficiency of 2000/29/EC	CCCVd is currently regulated on Palmae (Arecaceae) plants for planting by 2000/29/EC. Emergency measures set with the Commission Decision 2007/365/EC for R. ferrugineus and many palm species may improve the efficiency of 2000/29/EC	No uncertainties
Pest potential for entry, establishment and spread in the EU territory (Section 3.4)	CCCVd could potentially enter, establish and spread in the EU. At least plants for planting and seeds of Arecaceae species represent possible pathways for the pest to enter and spread in the EU	Plants for planting and seeds of Arecaceae species represent the main entry pathways and the main means of CCCVd spread over long distance	Uncertainties on the origin and volume of the trade in palm seeds and plants for planting imported in the EU Uncertainties about the efficiency of spread under EU conditions Lack of information on host status of many palm species grown in the EU and, in particular on susceptibility of the two species growing spontaneously in the EU
Potential for consequences in the EU territory (Section 3.5)	The potential impact of CCCVd if introduced in the EU is very difficult to assess. Given that the spread potential is, as for other viroids, likely to be limited, the potential impact is estimated to be limited in extent but this judgement is affected by large uncertainties.	Because of the limited spread potential of viroids the expected impact, is expected to be limited, but large uncertainties affect this assessment	Lack of information on host status and susceptibility of many palm species grown in the EU and, in particular on susceptibility of the two species growing spontaneously in the EU
Available measures (Section 3.6)	Exclusion in the only method considered to be effective in controlling the spread of the pest.	There are no efficient methods (e.g roguing, natural resistance or tolerance) for controlling CCCVd spread after its introduction in an area. Replanting is used only to maintain production in affected areas	The ambiguous status of CCCVd‐related molecules affects the host range and geographic distribution of CCCVd therefore hinders the efficiency of the measures
Conclusion on pest categorisation (Section 4)	CCCVd meets all the criteria evaluated by EFSA to qualify as a Union quarantine pest	CCCVd does not meet the presence on the territory criterion and therefore does not qualify as a Union RNQP
Aspects of assessment to focus on/scenarios to address in future if appropriate	The main knowledge gaps concern (1) the relationships between CCCVd‐related RNAs and CCCVd, (2) the origin and volume of the trade in palm seeds and plants for planting imported in the EU (3) the efficiency of natural spread under EU conditions and (4) host status and susceptibility of many palm species grown in the EU. Given that the present categorisation has explored most if not all of the available data on these points, a more complete assessment is unlikely to provide much clearer conclusions