Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/1432 of 3 July 2026 on measures to prevent the establishment and the spread within the Union territory of Meloidogyne graminicola Golden & Birchfield and for the eradication and containment of that pest within certain demarcated areas and repealing Implementing Regulation (EU) 2022/1372
Date: 2026-07-03
Institutions: Directorate-General for Health and Food Safety, European Commission
Subjects: Italy, originating product, pest, plant disease, plant health control, plantation, protection of plant life, rice, surveillance concerning imports, trade restriction




L_202601432EN.000101.fmx.xml












Official Journal of the European Union


EN
L series













2026/1432


6.7.2026







            COMMISSION IMPLEMENTING REGULATION (EU) 2026/1432
of 3 July 2026
         
on measures to prevent the establishment and the spread within the Union territory of Meloidogyne graminicola Golden & Birchfield and for the eradication and containment of that pest within certain demarcated areas and repealing Implementing Regulation (EU) 2022/1372


THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION,

Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,


Having regard to Regulation (EU) 2016/2031 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 26 October 2016 on protective measures against pests of plants, amending Regulations (EU) No 228/2013, (EU) No 652/2014 and (EU) No 1143/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council and repealing Council Directives 69/464/EEC, 74/647/EEC, 93/85/EEC, 98/57/EC, 2000/29/EC, 2006/91/EC and 2007/33/EC (1), and in particular Article 28(1), points (d) to (g), and Article 28(2) thereof,

Whereas:







(1)


Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2022/1372 (2) establishes temporary measures to prevent the entry into, the movement and spread within, the multiplication and release in the Union of Meloidogyne graminicola Golden & Birchfield (‘the specified pest’). Those temporary measures apply until 30 June 2026.












(2)


Those temporary measures were necessary because the specified pest caused significant damage to plants of Oryza sativa L. in the areas of the Union territory where it occurred and because a risk assessment carried out by Italy in 2018 (3) concluded that it fulfilled the relevant criteria set out in Subsection 2 of Section 3 of Annex I to Regulation (EU) 2016/2031. Since the adoption of those temporary measures, annual surveys carried out by Italy have shown that the specified pest may spread to further areas where it is not controlled, and that it may be effectively controlled in those areas by adopting appropriate measures. In addition, surveys performed in the demarcated areas where the specified pest is present indicate that it can no longer be eradicated from certain of those demarcated areas.












(3)


Therefore, the specified pest fulfils the relevant criteria set out in Section 1 of Annex I to Regulation (EU) 2016/2031 and qualifies as Union quarantine pest which is known to be present in the Union. Accordingly, it has been added to Part B of Annex II to Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/2072 (4) by Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/1433 (5).












(4)


The aforementioned annual surveys demonstrate that the population of the specified pest and the surface of the infested area in Italy had increased after the pest was first detected in the Union territory, peaked in the first year after adoption of Implementing Regulation (EU) 2022/1372 and have been decreasing since then. In addition, no outbreak has been recorded by any other Member State.












(5)


Despite this tendency, continuous efforts are needed to prevent the introduction of the specified pest from third countries where it occurs, and the spread out of infested areas within the Union territory. In order to further reduce the risk of spread, the specified pest should be eradicated from the Union territory as far as possible and should be effectively contained in those infested areas where eradication is not possible.












(6)


The application of the measures established under Implementing Regulation (EU) 2022/1372 concerning the eradication and containment of the specified pest, as well as surveys, have proved effective in reducing to an acceptable level the risk of the specified pest to establish and to spread within the Union territory. Therefore, they should also be set out in this Regulation, with all necessary modifications.












(7)


The list of host plants set out in Annex I to Implementing Regulation (EU) 2022/1372 no longer reflects the most recent scientific knowledge. Therefore, it is appropriate to provide for a revised list of host plants in Annex I to this Regulation.












(8)


In addition, measures concerning the establishment of demarcated areas and surveys of the specified pest should also be set out in this Regulation.












(9)


Demarcated areas should be established, consisting of an infested zone, which contains all plants infested or suspected to be infested by the specified pest, and a buffer zone of sufficient width around the infested zone, where the specified pest is not known to occur. Different measures should apply to demarcated areas for the purpose of eradication and demarcated areas for the purpose of containment, in accordance with Article 28(2) of Regulation (EU) 2016/2031.












(10)


Surveys should be carried out in the demarcated areas and on host plants outside those areas, in order to detect early the potential presence of the specified pest and prevent its spread to the rest of the Union territory. Member States should conduct annual surveys based on an assessment of the risk of introduction of the specified pest.












(11)


Member States should inform the general public and relevant professional operators about the threat of the specified pest and the measures taken against it to ensure a more effective approach by all persons possibly concerned. In particular, Member States should raise awareness about the danger of its spread through footwear and vehicles, because those means are the most commonly used by the general public.












(12)


The measures set out in Implementing Regulation (EU) 2022/1372, concerning the introduction into and movement within the Union territory of plants for planting with roots of Oryza sativa L., that have been grown in soil (‘specified plants’), have been included in Annexes VII and VIII to Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/2072 by Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/1433.












(13)


As those measures have been included in Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/2072, and for reasons of legal clarity, Implementing Regulation (EU) 2022/1372 should be repealed and replaced by this Regulation.












(14)


The measures provided for in this Regulation are in accordance with the opinion of the Standing Committee on Plants, Animals, Food and Feed,





HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION:



Article 1

Subject matter

This Regulation sets out measures to prevent the establishment and spread within the Union territory of Meloidogyne graminicola Golden & Birchfield, measures for its eradication, where it is found present in that territory, and measures for its containment, when eradication is no longer possible.


Article 2

Definitions

For the purposes of this Regulation, the following definitions apply:






(1)


‘specified pest’ means Meloidogyne graminicola Golden & Birchfield;










(2)


‘specified plants’ means plants for planting with roots of Oryza sativa L., that have been grown in soil;










(3)


‘host plants’ means plants for planting with roots that have been grown in soil, of the genera and species listed in Annex I;










(4)


‘volunteer host plants’ means host plants which grow on their own in the places of production, without having been intentionally planted;










(5)


‘specified seeds’ means seeds of Oryza sativa L.;










(6)


‘specified objects’ means machinery, tools, vehicles, and personal equipment, which have been used for activities relating to the planting, treatment or harvesting of the host plants;










(7)


‘trap-crop-method’ means the sowing of plants of Oryza sativa L. to stimulate nematode hatching and root invasion, followed by the destruction of the plants, within a phenological phase which maximizes the efficacy of trapping, but not later than five weeks after planting.






Article 3

Annual surveys of the Union territory outside of demarcated areas

Member States shall conduct risk-based annual surveys for the presence of the specified pest on host plants outside of demarcated areas. They shall be carried out in the areas of their territories, where the specified pest is not known to occur but could become established, prioritising the surveys on the specified plants.


Article 4

Establishment of demarcated areas


1.   Where the presence of the specified pest in the Union territory is officially confirmed, the Member State concerned shall, without delay, establish a demarcated area, on the basis of a delimiting survey determining the level of infestation and for the purpose of eradication of the specified pest.


2.   The demarcated area shall consist of the following:






(a)


an infested zone including:






(i)


all specified plants and host plants infested by the specified pest;










(ii)


all specified plants and host plants showing symptoms indicating possible infestation by the specified pest;










(iii)


all other plants infested or suspected to be infested by the specified pest;










(iv)


land, soil or other elements infested, or suspected to be infested, by the specified pest;














(b)


a buffer zone with a width of at least 100 m beyond the boundary of the infested zone, in the case of a demarcated area for the purpose of eradication of the specified pest, as referred to in Article 6, and with the same width in the case of a demarcated area for the purpose of containment of the specified pest, as referred to in Article 7.






3.   The competent authorities of the Member State concerned shall ensure that the general public and professional operators are aware of the delimitation of the demarcated areas and the measures adopted for its eradication, or, where relevant, for its containment and preventing its spread out of the demarcated area. They shall raise public awareness concerning the risk from the specified pest.


4.   Where, on the basis of the surveys referred to in Article 3, the specified pest is not detected in a demarcated area for a period of three consecutive years, that demarcated area may be abolished. In such cases, the Member State concerned shall notify the Commission and the other Member States that the demarcated area has been abolished pursuant to Article 19(4) of Regulation (EU) 2016/2031.



Article 5

Annual surveys of the specified pest in demarcated areas


1.   In demarcated areas, with the exception of the infested zone of the demarcated areas for the purpose of containing the specified pest, as referred to in Article 7, the competent authorities of the Member State concerned shall carry out intensive annual surveys on the host plants, as referred to in Article 19(1) of Regulation (EU) 2016/2031, in order to monitor the development of the presence of the specified pest.


2.   The surveys provided for in paragraph 1 shall consist of visual examinations of host plants, and of sampling of symptomatic host plants as well as, where appropriate, asymptomatic host plants in the proximity of the symptomatic host plants, and, where appropriate, of soil. The root system of sampled plants shall be checked for the presence of galls of the specified pest.



Article 6

Eradication measures

The competent authorities of the Member State concerned shall apply, in accordance with Article 4, all of the following measures in the demarcated areas:






(a)


removal of the specified plants in the infested zone in fields close to harvesting;










(b)


destruction of the specified plants in fields close to harvesting, in situ or in a nearby location designated for this purpose within the infested zone, in a manner ensuring that the specified pest is not spread;










(c)


prohibition of sowing of the specified seeds and prohibition of planting of the specified plants and host plants in the infested zone, except as trap-crops in application of the trap-crop-method;










(d)


regular elimination of volunteer host plants;










(e)


continuous flooding of fields in the infested zone for more than 18 months, and, if continuous flooding is not possible, application of the trap-crop method, or other methods preventing the pest from concluding its life cycle;










(f)


clearing and safe disposal of specified plants that are used for the trap-crop method within a phenological phase which maximizes the efficacy of trapping, but not later than five weeks after planting;










(g)


cleaning of specified objects that have been used in an infested zone from soil and plant debris, before being moved to the surrounding fields, while, during cleaning, avoiding residue dispersal out of the infested field;










(h)


prohibition of movement of soil in which specified plants or host plants have been grown in the previous three years out of the infested zone.






Article 7

Containment measures

By way of derogation from Article 6, where a demarcated area is listed in Annex II, the competent authorities of the Member State concerned shall apply all of the following measures therein:






(a)


sowing of specified seeds and planting of specified plants, only if one of the following phytosanitary measures has been carried out:






(i)


continuous flooding for at least three months since the last harvest;










(ii)


application of a trap-crop method within a phenological phase which maximizes the efficacy of trapping, followed by destruction of the crop not later than five weeks after planting;










(iii)


crop rotation with non-host plants or cultivated host plants of the genus Brassica L. or species Allium cepa L., Glycine max (L.) Merr., Hordeum vulgare L., Panicum miliaceum L., Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench and Triticum aestivum L. intended for the production of bulbs, vegetables or grains for final users other than the use as plants for planting;














(b)


regular elimination of volunteer host plants;










(c)


cleaning of specified objects, that have been used in the infested zone, from soil and plant debris before being moved to the surrounding fields, while, during the cleaning, avoiding residue dispersal out of the infested field;










(d)


prohibition of movement, outside of the infested zone, of:






(i)


soil, in which specified plants or host plants have been grown in the previous three years;










(ii)


specified plants, other than seeds;










(iii)


host plants other than cultivated host plants as referred to in subpoint (iii) of point (a); and










(iv)


specified seeds, other than those free from soil and plant debris.










Article 8

Reporting obligations of Member States

Member States shall, by 30 April of each year, submit to the Commission and the other Member States the results of the surveys carried out, in the preceding calendar year, pursuant to:






(a)


Article 3 of this Regulation, using one of the templates set out in Annex I to Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2020/1231 (6);










(b)


Article 5(1) of this Regulation, using the template set out in Annex III to this Regulation.






Article 9

Repeal of Implementing Regulation (EU) 2022/1372

Implementing Regulation (EU) 2022/1372 is repealed.
References to the repealed Regulation shall be construed as references to this Regulation.


Article 10

Entry into force

This Regulation shall enter into force on the twentieth day following that of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.





This Regulation shall be binding in its entirety and directly applicable in all Member States.
Done at Brussels, 3 July 2026.


For the Commission


The President

Ursula VON DER LEYEN
            





(1)  
            OJ L 317, 23.11.2016, p. 4, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2016/2031/oj.

(2)  Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2022/1372 of 5 August 2022 as regards temporary measures to prevent the entry into, the movement and spread within, the multiplication and release in the Union of Meloidogyne graminicola Golden & Birchfield (OJ L 206, 8.8.2022, p. 16, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg_impl/2022/1372/oj).

(3)  Pest risk analysis on Meloidogyne graminicola (Golden & Birchfield) carried out by Consiglio per la ricerca in agricoltura e l’analisi dell’economia agraria (CREA).

(4)  Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/2072 of 28 November 2019 establishing uniform conditions for the implementation of Regulation (EU) 2016/2031 of the European Parliament and the Council, as regards protective measures against pests of plants, and repealing Commission Regulation (EC) No 690/2008 and amending Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2018/2019 (OJ L 319, 10.12.2019, p. 1, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg_impl/2019/2072/oj).

(5)  Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/1433 of 3 July 2026 amending Annexes II, VII and VIII to Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/2072 as regards measures to prevent the entry into, and the presence, establishment and spread within, the Union territory of Meloidogyne graminicola Golden & Birchfield (OJ L, 2026/1433, 6.7.2026, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg_impl/2026/1433/oj).

(6)  Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2020/1231 of 27 August 2020 on the format and instructions for the annual reports on the results of the surveys and on the format of the multiannual survey programmes and the practical arrangements, respectively provided for in Articles 22 and 23 of Regulation (EU) 2016/2031 of the European Parliament and the Council (OJ L 280, 28.8.2020, p. 1, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg_impl/2020/1231/oj).




ANNEX I
List of host plants referred to in Article 2, point (3)

Abelmoschus esculentus


Ageratum conyzoides L.

Agrostis stolonifera


Alisma plantago-aquatica L.

Allium ascalonicum


Allium cepa L.

Allium fistulosum


Allium tuberosum


Alopecurus sp.

Alternanthera sessilis


Amaranthus spinosus


Amaranthus viridis


Ammannia baccifera


Andropogon sp.

Beta vulgaris


Blumea sp.

Bonnaya ciliata


Bothriochloa bladhii


Brassica juncea


Brassica oleracea


Capsicum annuum


Capsicum frutescens


Catharanthus roseus


Cenchrus americanus


Cenchrus pedicellatus


Centella asiatica


Colocasia esculenta


Commelina benghalensis


Corchorus aestuans


Corchorus capsularis


Coriandrum sativum


Cucumis sativus


Cyanotis axillaris


Cyanotis cucullata


Cyanthillium cinereum


Cymbopogon citratus


Cynodon dactylon


Cyperus compressus


Cyperus difformis


Cyperus esculentus


Cyperus imbricatus


Cyperus iria


Cyperus odoratus


Cyperus pilosus


Cyperus procerus


Cyperus pseudokyllingioides


Cyperus pulcherrimus


Cyperus rotundus


Dactyloctenium aegyptium


Desmodium triflorum


Digitaria filiformis


Digitaria longiflora


Digitaria sanguinalis


Echinochloa colonum


Echinochloa crus-galli


Eclipta prostrata


Eleusine coracana


Eleusine indica


Elymus repens


Eragrostis racemosa


Eragrostis tenella


Euphorbia hirta


Fimbristylis complanate


Fimbristylis dichotoma


Fimbristylis littoralis


Fimbristylis quinquangularis subsp. quinquangularis


Fuirena ciliaris


Gamochaeta falcata


Gamochaeta purpurea


Glycine max


Grangea ceruanoides


Hedyotis diffusa


Heteranthera reniformis


Hordeum vulgare


Hydrilla sp.

Impatiens balsamina


Imperata cylindrica


Ipomoea aquatica


Ischaemum rugosum


Juncus microcephalus


Kyllinga brevifolia


Kyllinga gracillima


Lactuca sativa


Leersia hexandra


Leptochloa chinensis


Leucas lavandulifolia


Lindernia sp.

Lolium multiflorum


Ludwigia adscendens


Mecardonia procumbens


Medicago polyceratia


Melilotus albus


Murdannia keisak


Murdannia nudiflora


Musa sp.

Oplismenus compositus


Oryza sativa


Oxalis corniculate


Panicum dichotomiflorum


Panicum flexuosum


Panicum miliaceum


Panicum repens


Paspalum scrobiculatum


Petunia sp.

Phaseolus vulgaris


Phlox drummondii


Phyllanthus niruri


Phyllanthus urinaria


Physalis minima


Pisum sativum


Poa annua


Pontederia vaginalis


Portulaca oleracea


Ranunculus sp.

Rungia parviflora


Saccharum officinarum


Sacciolepis indica


Schoenoplectiella articulata


Scoparia dulcis


Setaria italica


Sida acuta


Solanum lycopersicum


Solanum melongena


Solanum nigrum


Solanum sisymbriifolium


Solanum tuberosum


Sorghum bicolor


Spergula arvensis


Spermacoce articularis


Sphaeranthus sp.

Sphenoclea zeylanica


Spinacia oleracea


Stellaria media


Trifolium repens


Triticum aestivum subsp. aestivum


Urena lobata


Urochloa mutica


Urochloa ramose


Vandellia sp.

Vicia faba


Vigna mungo


Vigna radiata






ANNEX II
List of demarcated areas for the purpose of containment of the specified pest referred to in Article 7
ITALY








Number/Name of Demarcated Area (DA)


Zone of DA


Region


Regional units or other administrative/geographic delimitations




1


Infested zone + buffer zone


Piedmont


Biella: Castelletto Cervo, Gifflenga, Mottalciata




2


Infested zone + buffer zone


Piedmont


Vercelli: Buronzo




3


Infested zone + buffer zone


Lombardy


Pavia: Alagna, Carbonara al Ticino, Cilavegna, Dorno, Gambolò, Garlasco, Gropello Cairoli, Linarolo, Parona, Pavia, Pieve Albignola, Sannazzaro de’ Burgondi, Scaldasole, Sommo, Tromello, Valle Salimbene, Vigevano, Villanova d’Ardenghi, Zerbolò, Zinasco









ANNEX III
Template for the reporting of the results of annual surveys carried out pursuant to Article 5, first paragraph











































1.


Description of the Demarcated Area (DA)












2.


Initial size of DA (ha)












3.


Updated size of DA (ha)












4.


Approach (eradication or containment)












5.


Zone












6.


Survey sites












7.


Risk areas identified












8.


Risk areas inspected












9.


Plant material / Commodity












10.


List of host plant species












11.


Timing












12.


Survey details












13.


No of symptomatic samples analysed:






i:


Total










ii:


Positive










iii:


Negative










iv:


Undetermined
















14.


No of asymptomatic samples analysed:






i:


Total










ii:


Positive










iii:


Negative










iv:


Undetermined
















15.


Notification number of the outbreaks notified, as applicable, in accordance with Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/1715 (1)













16.


Comments














A:


Number of visual examinations














B:


Total number of samples taken














C:


Type of traps (or other alternative method (e.g. sweep nets))














D:


Number of traps (or other capturing method)














E:


Number of trapping sites, when different from data reported in (D)














F:


Type of tests (e.g. microscopic identification, PCR, ELISA)














G:


Total number of tests














H:


Other measures (e.g. sniffer dogs, drones, helicopters, awareness raising campaigns)








Name


Date of establishment


Description


Number








I:


Number of other measures






Number


Date





A




B




C




D




E




F




G




H




I



i


ii


iii


iv


i


ii


iii


iv




 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 




 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 




 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 




 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 





(1)  Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/1715 of 30 September 2019 laying down rules for the functioning of the information management system for official controls and its system components (the IMSOC Regulation) (OJ L 261, 14.10.2019, p. 37, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg_impl/2019/1715/oj).





Instructions how to fill in the template







For column 1:


Indicate the name of the geographical area, outbreak number or any information that allows identification of this demarcated area (DA) and the date when it was established.










For column 2:


Indicate the size of the DA before the start of the survey.










For column 3:


Indicate the size of the DA after the survey.










For column 4:


Indicate the approach: Eradication or Containment. Please, include as many rows as necessary, depending on the number of DA per pest and the approaches these areas are subject to.










For column 5:


Indicate the zone of the DA where the survey was carried out, including as many rows as necessary: Infected (IZ) or buffer zone (BZ), using separate rows. When applicable, indicate the area of the IZ where the survey was carried out (e.g. last 20 km adjacent to the BZ, around nurseries) in different rows.










For column 6:


Indicate the number and the description of the survey sites, by choosing one of the following entries for the description:






1.


Open air (production area): 1.1. field (arable, pasture); 1.2. orchard/vineyard; 1.3. nursery; 1.4. forest;










2.


Open air (other): 2.1. private garden; 2.2. public sites; 2.3. conservation area; 2.4. wild plants in areas other than conservation areas; 2.5. other, with specification of the particular case (e.g. garden centre, commercial sites that uses wood packaging material, wood industry, wetlands, irrigation and drainage network);










3.


Physically closed conditions: 3.1. greenhouse; 3.2. private site, other than greenhouse; 3.3. public site, other than greenhouse; 3.4. other, with specification of the particular case (e.g. garden centre, commercial sites that uses wood packaging material, wood industry).














For column 7:


Indicate, which are the risk areas identified based on the biology of the pest(s), presence of host plants, eco-climatic conditions and risk locations.










For column 8:


Indicate the risk areas included in the survey, from those identified in column 7.










For column 9:


Indicate plants, fruits, seeds, soil, packaging material, wood, machinery, vehicles, water, other, specifying the specific case.










For column 10:


Indicate the list of plant species/genera surveyed using one row per plant species/genera.










For column 11:


Indicate the months of the year when the survey was carried out.










For column 12:


Indicate the details of the survey, depending on the specific legal requirements of each pest. Indicate with N/A when the information of certain column is not applicable.










For columns 13 and 14:


Indicate the results, if applicable, providing the information available in the corresponding columns. ‘Undetermined’ are those analysed samples for which no result was obtained due to different factors (e.g. below detection level, unprocessed sample-not identified, old).










For column 15:


Indicate the outbreak notifications of the year when the survey took place for findings in the BZ. The outbreak notification number does not need to be included when the competent authority has decided that the finding is one of the cases referred to in Article 14(2), Article 15(2) or Article 16 of Regulation (EU) 2016/2031. In this case, indicate the reason for not providing this information in column 16 (‘Comments’).







ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg_impl/2026/1432/oj
ISSN 1977-0677 (electronic edition)