DECISIONS 
COMMISSION IMPLEMENTING DECISION (EU) 2016/1359 
of 8 August 2016 
amending Implementing Decision 2012/270/EU as regards emergency measures to prev ent the 
introduction into and the spread within the Union of Epitr ix cucumer is (Har ris), Epitr ix similar is 
(Gentner), Epitr ix subcr inita (Lec.) and Epitr ix tuber is (Gentner) 
(notifi ed under document C(2016) 5038) 
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 2012/270/EU (2) established emerg ency measures to prevent the 
introduction into and the spread within the Union of Epitr ix cucumer is, Epitr ix similar is, Epitr ix subcr inita and Epitr ix 
tuber is, those harmful organisms not being liste d in Annex I or II to Directive 2000/29/EC. 
(2)  Since the adoptio n of Commission Implementing Decision 2014/679/EU (3), amending Implementing Decision 
2012/270/EU, an official laborat ory repor t by the National Reference Laboratory of Spain, based on a scientific 
paper published by Orlo va-Bienk owskaja MJ (4), revealed that the harmful organism identified as Epitr ix similar is 
(Gentner) was wrong ly identif ied as such. Instead it should have been identif ied as Epitr ix papa sp. n. Moreo ver, 
and according to the lates t information supplied by Spain and Portugal, the organism causing harm to potatoes 
in some areas and earlier identified as Epitr ix similar is (Gentner) is now identif ied as Epitr ix papa sp. n. It has been 
further confir med that Epitr ix similar is (Gentner) has never been found present in Union territory. Theref ore 
Implementing Decision 2012/270/EU should no long er cover Epitr ix similar is (Gentner) but the harmful organism 
Epitr ix papa sp. n. 
(3)  Since the adoption of Implementing Decision 2014/679/EU, amending Implementing Decision 2012/270/EU, 
exper ience gained by Spain and Portugal indicate that a buffer zone with a width of at least 500 m beyond the 
edge of an infested zone should be established to ensure effective prote ction of the Union territory. 
(4)  Implementing Decision 2012/270/EU should theref ore be amended according ly. 
(5)  The measures provided for in this Decision are in accordance with the opinion of the Standing Committ ee on 
Plants, Animals, Food and Feed, 10.8.2016 L 215/29 Official Jour nal of the European Union EN     
(1)OJ L 169, 10.7.2000, p. 1. 
(2)Commission Implementing Decision 2012/270/EU of 16 May 2012 as regar ds emergency measures to prevent the introduction into and 
the spread within the Union of Epitr ix cucumer is (Har ris), Epitr ix similar is (Gentner), Epitr ix subcr inita (Lec.) and Epitr ix tuber is (Gentner) 
(OJ L 132, 23.5.2012, p. 18). 
(3)Commission Implementing Decision 2014/679/EU of 25 Sept ember 2014 amending Implementing Decision 2012/270/EU as regards 
its period of application and as regards the movement to pack ing facilities of potato tubers originating in areas demarcated in order to 
prevent the spread within the Union of Epitr ix cucumer is (Har ris), Epitr ix similar is (Gentner), Epitr ix subcr inita (Lec.) and Epitr ix tuber is 
(Gentner) (OJ L 283, 27.9.2014, p. 61). 
(4)http://www .eje.cz/ar tkey/eje-201504-0028_epitr ix_papa_sp_n_coleopt era_chry somelidae_ga lerucinae_alticini_previously_ 
misidentified_as_epitr ix_sim.php HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION: 
Article 1 
Amendments to Implementing Decision 2012/270/EU 
Implementing Decision 2012/270/EU is amended as follows:  
(1) in the title, the words ‘Epitr ix similar is (Gentner)’ are replaced by the words ‘Epitr ix papa sp. n.’;  
(2) in Article 1, the words ‘Epitr ix similar is (Gentner)’ are replaced by the words ‘Epitr ix papa sp. n.’;  
(3) in Annex II, point (b) of Section 1(1) is replaced by the following: 
‘(b)  a buffer zone with a width of at least 500 m beyond the edge of an infested zone; where part of a field is within 
that width, the entire field shall be part of the buffer zone.’ 
Article 2 
Addre ssees 
This Decision is addressed to the Member States. 
Done at Brussels, 8 August 2016. 
For the Commission 
Vytenis ANDRIUKAITIS 
Member of the Commission  10.8.2016 L 215/30 Official Jour nal of the European Union EN