Publications by authors named "Francesco Serio"

The European Commission requested the EFSA Panel on Plant Health to prepare and deliver risk assessments for commodities listed in Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2018/2019 as 'High-risk plants, plant products and other objects'. This Scientific Opinion covers plant health risks posed by plants of hybrids of x imported from Ukraine, taking into account the available scientific information, including the technical information provided by Ukraine. All pests that may be associated with the hybrids of x were evaluated against specific criteria for their relevance for this opinion.

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  • - The European Commission tasked the EFSA Panel on Plant Health with assessing the risk of pests related to unrooted cuttings produced in Costa Rica, focusing on both regulated and non-regulated pests.
  • - A total of 22 regulated pest species were identified, including various viruses affecting plants, and were analyzed for potential entry risks and the effectiveness of Costa Rica's risk mitigation strategies.
  • - The evaluation concluded that while the risk of pest contamination varied among those studied, there is a high likelihood (95% certainty) that most unrooted cuttings would be free of the tomato spotted wilt virus, estimating that 9,927 to 10,000 out of 10,000 bags would not carry this pest. *
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  • The European Commission tasked the EFSA Panel on Plant Health to assess the plant health risks of high-risk commodities imported from the UK, as listed in EU regulation 2018/2019.
  • The risk assessment categorized the commodities into four groups, including graftwood, bare root plants, potted plants, and large specimen trees, and evaluated pests linked to these groups.
  • Two EU quarantine pests were identified for further evaluation based on their relevance, with the assessment considering factors like plant age and the effectiveness of risk mitigation measures from the UK.
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Wild rocket ( (L.) DC cv. Dallas) is a leafy green vegetable appreciated for its pungent taste and healthy properties, often consumed as a ready-to-eat product.

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In March 2024, symptoms of vein clearing (Fig. S1) were observed on leaves of six lemon (Citrus limon (L.) Burm.

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Article Synopsis
  • The EFSA Panel on Plant Health conducted an assessment of non-EU Scolytinae species that affect non-coniferous plants in the EU, highlighting 5220 relevant species out of an initial 6495.
  • These beetles primarily target weakened or dead trees, with behaviors ranging from monogamous to polygynous mating systems, and many species are associated with fungi that help them weaken their hosts.
  • A database was created documenting host plants, feeding habits, geographic distribution, and climate types, ultimately identifying 88 species that significantly impact plant health, categorized by their level of threat.
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In accordance with the EFSA Strategy 2027 outlining the need for fit-for-purpose protocols for EFSA generic scientific assessments, the EFSA Panel on Plant Health (PLH Panel) developed standard protocols to harmonise the problem formulation process and outputs for mandates addressing recurrent scientific questions. Three types of recurring EFSA plant health mandates require generic scientific assessments: (i) pest categorisation; (ii) commodity risk assessment for the purpose of derogation to provisions of the EU plant health law and (iii) quantitative pest risk assessment. The three standard protocols are tailored to the appropriate level of detail and build on the existing guidance documents laying out the methods for conducting risk assessment in the plant health domain.

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The European Commission requested the EFSA Panel on Plant Health to deliver a risk assessment on the likelihood of pest freedom from Union quarantine pests and pests subject to measures adopted pursuant to Article 30 of Regulation (EU) No 2016/2031 for the maple veneer sheets manufactured according to the process set out by Canada, with emphasis on the freedom from and (non-EU isolates). The assessment was conducted for veneer sheets of up to 0.7 mm and up to 6 mm thickness, taking into account the different phases in the veneer production in a systems approach.

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A non-invasive and non-pharmacological approach is evaluated for the proprioceptive and postural improvement of PD subjects. The authors evaluated the effectiveness of a class I medical device according to EU regulation 745/2017 designed to develop the mechanism of action based on the modulation of action potentials, which occurs in prevalent pathways of the afferent peripheral nervous system efferent in subjects with spasticity. The present observational study, structured in a double-blind randomized manner, therefore, had the main aim of evaluating the ability of the device to improve on the motor and proprioceptive function of PD patients.

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The European Commission requested the EFSA Panel on Plant Health to prepare and deliver risk assessments for commodities listed in Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2018/2019 as 'High risk plants, plant products and other objects'. This Scientific Opinion covers plant health risks posed by potted plants and bundles of bare-root plants or cell grown young plants or graftwood/budwood of imported from the United Kingdom, taking into account the available scientific information, including the technical information provided by the UK. All pests associated with the commodities were evaluated against specific criteria for their relevance for this opinion.

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Pest categorisation of .

EFSA J

July 2024

The EFSA Panel on Plant Health performed a pest categorisation of (Hemiptera: Matsucoccidae), the Massonian pine bast scale, for the EU territory. This pest categorisation was initiated following the commodity risk assessment of artificially dwarfed plants from China consisting of (Japanese white pine) grafted on (Japanese black pine) performed by EFSA, in which was identified as a pest of possible concern. However, its identity is not firmly established due to uncertainty regarding its taxonomic relationship with (Green), a species widespread in Europe.

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Pest categorisation of .

EFSA J

July 2024

Article Synopsis
  • The European Commission asked the EFSA Panel on Plant Health to categorize the pest Maskell, also known as the pink wax scale, identified as a potential threat to the EU due to commodity risk assessments of plants from China.
  • This pest originates from Africa, attacks over 193 types of plants, mainly tropical and subtropical species, and has been in Germany since 2010, posing significant risks to various crops and ornamental plants.
  • With its ability to reproduce parthenogenetically and potentially spread via trade and natural means, introductions of this pest into the EU could lead to outbreaks, but effective phytosanitary measures exist to control its entry and spread.
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Pest categorisation of .

EFSA J

July 2024

The EFSA Panel on Plant Health performed a pest categorisation of (Lepidoptera, Limacodidae), following the commodity risk assessment of plants grafted on from China, in which was identified as a pest of possible concern to the European Union. This species can be identified by morphological taxonomic keys and by barcoding. The adults of the overwintering generation emerge from late June to late August.

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Pest categorisation of .

EFSA J

July 2024

The European Commission requested the EFSA Panel on Plant Health to conduct a pest categorisation of (Ellis & Everh) Sutton, following commodity risk assessments of , , and plants from the UK, in which was identified as a pest of possible concern to the EU. When first described, was a clearly defined fungus of the family Schizoparmaceae, but due to lack of a curated type-derived DNA sequence, current identification based only on DNA sequence is uncertain and taxa previously reported to be this fungus based on molecular identification must be confirmed. The uncertainty on the reported identification of this species translates into uncertainty on all the sections of this categorisation.

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Following a request from the European Commission, the EFSA Panel on Plant Health performed a quantitative risk assessment for the EU of (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), a polyphagous pest occurring in Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. The current risk assessment focused on potential pathways for entry, the climatic conditions allowing establishment, the expected spread capacity and the impact considering a time horizon of 10 years (2023-2032). The Panel identified the import of apples, cut flowers and table grapes as the most relevant entry pathways.

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The European Commission requested the EFSA Panel on Plant Health to prepare and deliver risk assessments for commodities listed in Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2018/2019 as 'High risk plants, plant products and other objects'. This Scientific Opinion covers plant health risks posed by plants of possibly grafted on rootstocks of either or their hybrids imported from the UK, taking into account the available scientific information, including the technical information provided by the UK. All pests associated with the commodities were evaluated against specific criteria for their relevance for this opinion.

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Pest categorisation of .

EFSA J

June 2024

Article Synopsis
  • - The EFSA Panel on Plant Health assessed the Iranian false spider mite (Trombidiformes: Tenuipalpidae) as a potential pest for the EU, identified through a risk assessment of plants from Türkiye, where it currently exists.
  • - The mite primarily feeds on Rosaceae plants, including key EU crops like apples, pears, and figs, raising concerns about its potential impact in southern EU countries where conditions are suitable for its establishment.
  • - Although it’s not officially listed as a quarantine pest, effective phytosanitary measures can be implemented to prevent its entry and spread in the EU, with some uncertainties regarding the extent of its potential impact.
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Pest categorisation of .

EFSA J

June 2024

The EFSA Panel on Plant Health performed a pest categorisation of (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae), following a commodity risk assessment of bonsai grafted onto from China, in which was identified as a pest of possible concern for the territory of the European Union. This is a univoltine polyphagous pest that occurs in eastern Asia from Vietnam northwards through eastern China and Taiwan, South Korea and into Far East Russia. Hosts include species of fruit trees within the genera and , trees of forestry and environmental importance such as and , shrubs such as , soft fruit such as , grasses, including amenity turf and field crops such as potatoes, maize and soybean.

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The European Commission requested the EFSA Panel on Plant Health to prepare and deliver risk assessments for commodities listed in Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2018/2019 as 'high risk plants, plant products and other objects'. Taking into account the available scientific information, including the technical information provided by the applicant country, this Scientific Opinion covers the plant health risks posed by the following commodities: bare-root plants and rooted plants in pots up to 7 years old and specimen trees in pots up to 15 years old imported into the EU from the UK. A list of pests potentially associated with the commodities was compiled.

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Pest categorisation of .

EFSA J

May 2024

The EFSA Panel on Plant Health performed a pest categorisation of (Lepidoptera: Crambidae), the cucumber moth for the territory of the European Union (EU), following the commodity risk assessment of from Uganda, in which was identified as a pest of possible concern to the European Union. is native to South Asian countries and is now distributed in tropical and subtropical areas of the Americas, Africa, Asia and Oceania. In the EU, occurs in Madeira (Portugal).

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Pest categorisation of .

EFSA J

May 2024

The EFSA Panel on Plant Health performed a pest categorisation of (Voss, 1937) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), following the commodity risk assessment of bonsai plants from China consisting of grafted on , in which was identified as a pest of possible concern to the European Union (EU). This categorisation refers to , which is the pest's current valid scientific name. It is native to China and has never been recorded in the EU.

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Pest categorisation of .

EFSA J

May 2024

The EFSA Panel on Plant Health performed a pest categorisation of Bailey's rust mite, Keifer (Acariformes: Eriophyidae), following the commodity risk assessment of plants from Türkiye performed by EFSA, in which was identified as a pest of possible concern to the European Union. This mite is not listed in Annex II of Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/2072. The eriophyid is known to occur in Africa, America, Asia, Europe (Greece and Serbia) and Oceania on spp.

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The European Commission requested the EFSA Panel on Plant Health to prepare and deliver risk assessments for commodities listed in Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2018/2019 as 'High risk plants, plant products and other objects'. This Scientific Opinion covers plant health risks posed by plants of and imported from the United Kingdom (UK) as: (a) bundles of budwood/graftwood; (b) 1- to 2-year-old whips, seedlings or transplants; (c) bundles of 1- to 2-year-old cell grown plants; (d) 1- to 7-year-old bare root single plants; and (e) up to 25-year-old single plants in pots, taking into account the available scientific information provided by the UK. A list of pests potentially associated with the commodities was compiled.

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Following a request from the European Commission, the EFSA Panel on Plant Health performed a quantitative risk assessment for the EU of African species (Lepidoptera: Crambidae), which are fruit and shoot borers, especially of eggplant type fruit. The assessment focused on (i) potential pathways for entry, (ii) distribution of infested imports within EU, (iii) climatic conditions favouring establishment, (iv) spread and (v) impact. Options for risk reduction are discussed, but their effectiveness was not quantified.

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Following a request from the European Commission, the EFSA Panel on Plant Health performed a quantitative risk assessment for the EU of (Mayet) (Thysanoptera: Thripidae), a polyphagous thrips, regarded as a tropical/subtropical pest occurring in several countries of Africa, South America, Asia and in the EU in Cyprus. The current risk assessment focused on potential pathways for entry, the climatic conditions allowing establishment, the expected spread capacity and the impact considering a time horizon of 10 years (2023-2032). The Panel identified the import of cut roses, persimmons, table grapes, as well as plants for planting of the genera and from third countries and those of (avocado) from Israel as the most relevant entry pathways to consider.

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