COMMISSION IMPLEMENTING DECISION (EU) 2015/2417 
of 17 December 2015 
amending Implementing Decision (EU) 2015/789 as regards measures to prev ent the introduction 
into and the spread within the Union of Xylella fastidiosa (Wells et al.) 
(notifi ed under document C(2015) 9191) 
THE EUR OPEAN COMMISSION, 
Having regar d to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, 
Having regar d to Council Directive 2000/29/EC of 8 May 2000 on prote ctive measures against the introduction into the 
Community of organisms harmful to plants or plant products and against their spread within the Community (1), and in 
particular the fourth senten ce of Article 16(3) thereof, 
Whereas: 
(1)  Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2015/789 (2) has been applied since May 2015. In view of notifications, 
in the meantime, of new outbreak s of Xylella fastidiosa (Wells et al.) (hereinaf ter ‘the specifi ed organism’) by the 
French author ities in their respective territories, the measures provided for in that Decision should be adapt ed to 
the current situation. 
(2)  Scientific analyses have shown that different subspecies of the specifi ed organism occur in the Union territory. 
Moreo ver, several host plants have been found to be suscep tible to only one of those subspecies. Theref ore, the 
definition of host plants should be amended in order to take into account such developments. For the same 
reason it would also be appropr iate to offer the possibility to Member States to demarcate areas only with regar d 
to those subspecies. 
(3)  In order to ensure a more timely approach as regards the listing of host plants, whic h are currently listed in 
Annex II to Implementing Decision (EU) 2015/789, the definition of host plants should be amended, Annex II 
should be delet ed and the list of host plants should be published in a Commission database of ‘host plants 
suscep tible to Xylella fastidiosa in the Union territory’. 
(4)  In view of the amendment of the definition of host plants, it would be appropr iate to also amend the definition 
of specified plants to ensure that they cover all host plants immediate ly after their inclusion in the database 
referred to in recital 3. 
(5)  Given the risk of the spread of the specif ied organism in any part of the Union territory, as well as the 
importance of early action, the setting up of contingenc y plans at Member State level is of particular importance 
in order to ensure better preparedness in case of potential outbreak s. 
(6)  In order to facilitat e scientifi c research for the purpose of identifying the precise effects of the specifi ed orga nism 
on host plants, the Member State concer ned should be given the possibility to author ise the planting of host 
plants in one or more parts of the containment area for scientific purposes, in accordance with the conditions 
laid down in Commission Directive 2008/61/EC (3), and ensur ing the protection of the Union territory 
not yet affected by the specified organism. However , such possibility should not exist for the area refer red to in 
Article 7(2)(c) of Implementing Decision (EU) 2015/789 due to its proximity to the rest of the Union territory. 19.12.2015 L 333/143 Official Jour nal of the European Union EN     
(1)OJ L 169, 10.7.2000, p. 1. 
(2)Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2015/789 of 18 May 2015 as regards measures to prevent the introduction into and the 
spread within the Union of Xylella fastidiosa (Wells et al.) (OJ L 125, 21.5.2015, p. 36). 
(3)Commission Directive 2008/61/EC of 17 June 2008 establishing the conditions under whic h certain harmful organisms, plants, plant 
products and other objects listed in Annexes I to V to Council Directive 2000/29/EC may be introduced into or moved within the 
Community or certain protect ed zones thereof, for trial or scientif ic purposes and for work on varietal selections (OJ L 158, 18.6.2008, 
p. 41). (7)  On 2 September 2015, the European Food Safe ty Author ity (EFSA) has published a scientifi c opinion (1) on hot 
water treatment of dormant grapevine planting mat erial against the specifi ed organism. That opinion shows that 
the conditions prescr ibed and recommended to sanitize grapevine planting mat erial against Grapevine flavescence 
dorée phytopl asma, are also effective against the specifi ed organism. Theref ore it is appropr iate to allow, under 
certain conditions, the movement of dormant plants of Vitis within and out of the demarcated areas where those 
plants have undergone hot water treatment. 
(8)  Taking into account the suscep tibility of the host plants to be infected with the specified organism, as well as the 
need to enhance aware ness of operat ors and traceability in case of positive findings , it is appropr iate to provide 
that also host plants whic h have never been grown inside the demarcated areas, may only be moved within the 
Union territory if accompanied by a plant passpor t. However , for the purpose of not introducing dispropor ­
tionate administrative burdens to sellers of those plants, this requirement should not apply to the movement of 
those plants to persons acting for purposes whic h are outside their trade, business or profession. 
(9)  Given the serious effects caused by the specifi ed organism and the importance of preventing or acting as early as 
possible in order to control any poten tial outbreaks in the Union territory , all Member States should make 
information available to the general public, traveller s, profess ional and intern ational transpor t operat ors about the 
threat of the specifi ed organism for the Union territory . 
(10)  On 27 July 2015, the French author ities notified to the Commission the first outbreak of the specifi ed orga nism 
in the region of Corsica. Since the specifi ed organism has been found in Corsica on plants of species whic h are 
not yet listed as specifi ed plants, it is appropr iate to update the list of specifi ed plants in order to include those 
species. Annex I to Implementing Decision 2015/789/EU should theref ore be amended according ly. 
(11)  Implementing Decision (EU) 2015/789 should theref ore be amended according ly. 
(12)  The measures provided for in this Decision are in accordance with the opinion of the Standing Committ ee on 
Plants, Animals, Food and Feed, 
HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION: 
Article 1 
Amendments to Implementing Decision (EU) 2015/789 
Implementing Decision (EU) 2015/789 is amended as follows:  
(1) In Article 1 points (a) (b) and (c) are replaced by the following: 
‘(a)  “specifie d organism” means any subspecies of Xylella fastidiosa (Wells et al); 
(b)  “host plants” means plants for planting, other than seeds, belonging to the genera and species listed in the 
Commission database of host plants suscep tible to Xylella fastidiosa in the Union territory, as having been found 
to be susceptible in the Union territory to the specified organism or, where a Member State has demarcate d an 
area with regard to only one or more subspecies of the specif ied organism pursuant to the second subparagraph 
of Article 4(1), as having been found to be susceptible to that or those subspecies; 
(c)  “specifie d plants” means host plants and all plants for planting, other than seeds, belonging to the genera or 
species listed in Annex I;’  
(2) The following Article 3a is inser ted: 
‘Article 3a 
Contingency plans 
1. By 31 December 2016, each Member State shall establish a plan setting out the actions to be taken in its 
territory in accordance with Articles 4 to 6a, and Articles 9 to 13a, in case of a conf irmed or suspect ed presence of 
the specified organism (hereinaf ter “the contingenc y plan”). 19.12.2015 L 333/144 Official Jour nal of the European Union EN     
(1)EFSA PLH Panel (EFSA Panel on Plant Health), 2015. Scientif ic opinion on hot water treatment of Vitis sp. for Xylella fastidiosa. EFSA 
Journal 2015;13(9):4225, 10 pp. doi:10.2903/j.efsa.2015.4225. 2. The contingenc y plan shall also set out the following: 
(a)  the roles and responsibilities of the bodies involved in those actions and the sing le author ity; 
(b)  one or more laborat ories specifi cally appro ved for the testing of the specified organism; 
(c)  rules on the communication of those actions between the bodies involved, the sing le author ity, the professional 
operat ors concer ned and the public; 
(d)  prot ocols descr ibing the methods of visual examinations, sampli ng and laboratory testing; 
(e)  rules on training of personnel of the bodies involved in those actions; 
(f)  minimum resources to be made available and proceedings to mak e available additional resources in case of a 
confir med or suspected presence of the specified organism. 
3. Member States shall evaluate and review their continge ncy plans as necessar y. 
4. Member States shall communicate their contingenc y plans to the Commission at its request.’  
(3) Article 4(1) is replaced by the following: 
‘1. Where the presence of the specifi ed organism is conf irmed, the Member State concer ned shall without dela y 
demarcate an area in accordance with paragraph 2, hereinaf ter “demarcate d area”. 
By way of derog ation from the first subparagraph, where the presence of one or more particular subspecies of the 
specif ied organism is conf irmed, the Member State concer ned may demarcate an area with regard to that or those 
subspecies only .’  
(4) Article 5 is replaced by the following: 
‘Article 5 
Prohibition concer ning the planting of host plants in infected zones 
1. The planting of host plants in infected zones shall be prohibit ed, excep t in sites which are physically prote cted 
against the introduction of the specifi ed organism by its vectors. 
2. By way of derogation from paragraph 1, the Member State concer ned may author ise, in accordance with the 
conditions laid down in Commission Directive 2008/61/EC (*), the planting of the host plants for scientifi c purposes 
within the containment area refer red to in Article 7, outside the area referred to in Article 7(2)(c).  
(*)Commission Directive 2008/61/EC of 17 June 2008 establishing the conditions under whic h certain harmful 
organisms, plants, plant products and other objects listed in Annexes I to V to Council Directive 2000/29/EC 
may be introduced into or moved within the Community or certain protect ed zones thereof, for trial or scientific 
purposes and for work on varietal selections (OJ L 158, 18.6.2008, p. 41.’  
(5) Article 9 is amended as follows: 
(a)  The following paragraph 4a is inser ted: 
‘4a. By way of deroga tion from paragraphs 1 and 4, the movement within the Union, within or out of the 
demarcat ed areas, of dormant plants of Vitis intended for planting, other than seeds, may take place if both of 
the following conditions are fulfilled: 
(a)  the plants have been grown in a site registered in accordance with Directive 92/90/EEC; 19.12.2015 L 333/145 Official Jour nal of the European Union EN     (b) as practically close to the time of movement as possible, the plants have undergone an appropr iate ther mo­
therap y treatment in a treatment facility author ised and super vised by the responsible official body for that 
purpose, whereby the dormant plants are submerg ed for 45 minutes in water heat ed to 50 °C, in accordance 
with the relevant EPPO Standard (*).  
(*)EPPO (European and Medite rranean Plant Protection Org anisation), 2012. Hot wate r treatment of grapevine 
to control Grapevine flavescence dorée phytoplasma. Bulletin OEPP/EPPO Bulletin, 42(3), 490–492.’ 
(b)  The following paragraph 8 is added: 
‘8. Host plants which have never been grown inside the demarcat ed areas shall only be moved within the 
Union if they are accompanied by a plant passpor t prepared and issued in accordance with Directive 
92/105/EEC. 
Without prejudice to Part A of Annex V to Directive 2000/29/EC, no plant passpor t shall be required for the 
movement of host plants to any person, acting for purposes which are outside his trade, business or profession, 
and who acquires those plants for its own use.’  
(6) The following Article 13a is inser ted: 
‘Article 13a 
Awareness campaigns 
Member States shall make information available to the general public, travellers, profess ional and international 
transpor t operat ors concer ning the threat of the specified orga nism for the Union territory . They shall make that 
information publicly available, in the form of target ed awareness campaigns on the respective websites of the 
responsible official bodies or other websites designat ed by those bodies.’  
(7) The Annex es are amended as set out in the Annex to this Decision. 
Article 2 
Addre ssees 
This Decision is addressed to the Member States. 
Done at Brussels, 17 December 2015. 
For the Commission 
Vytenis ANDRIUKAITIS 
Member of the Commission  19.12.2015 L 333/146 Official Jour nal of the European Union EN     ANNEX 
The Annexes are amended as follows:  
(1) In Annex I, the following plants are inser ted in alphabetical order: 
Aspar agus acutifolius L. 
Cistus creticus L. 
Cistus monspeliensis L. 
Cistus salviifolius L. 
Cytisus racemosus Broom 
Dodonaea viscosa Jacq. 
Euphorbia terracina L. 
Genista ephedroides DC. 
Grevillea juniper ina L. 
Hebe 
Laur us nobilis L. 
Lavandula angustif olia Mill. 
Myopor um insular e R. Br. 
Pelargonium graveolens L'Hér 
Westringia glabr a L.  
(2) Annex II is delet ed.  19.12.2015 L 333/147 Official Jour nal of the European Union EN