2008/840/EC: Commission Decision of 7 November 2008 on emergency measures to prevent the introduction into and the spread within the Community of Anoplophora chinensis (Forster) (notified under document number C(2008) 6631)

11.11.2008 EN Official Journal of the European Union L 300/36
COMMISSION DECISION
of 7 November 2008
on emergency measures to prevent the introduction into and the spread within the Community of Anoplophora chinensis (Forster)
(notified under document number C(2008) 6631)
(2008/840/EC)
THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES
,
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community,
Having regard to Council Directive 2000/29/EC of 8 May 2000 on protective 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 third sentence of Article 16(3) thereof,
Whereas:
(1) In Section I of Part A of Annex I to Directive 2000/29/EC, Anoplophora malasiaca (Forster) and Anoplophora chinensis (Thomson) are listed. Recent studies have found that those two denominations cover in fact one single species of harmful organism. For the purposes of this Decision it is therefore appropriate to use the single revised scientific denomination Anoplophora chinensis (Forster) to designate what is listed in that Annex as Anoplophora malasiaca (Forster) and Anoplophora chinensis (Thomson).
(2) Under Directive 2000/29/EC, where a Member State considers that there is a danger of introduction into or spread within its territory of a harmful organism whether or not listed in Annexes I or II to that Directive, it may temporarily take any additional measures necessary to protect itself from that danger.
(3) As a result of the presence of Anoplophora chinensis (Forster) on various host plants in the region of Lombardy, Italy informed the Commission and the other Member States on 23 November 2007 that it had adopted additional measures on 9 November 2007 to prevent the further introduction into and spread within its territory of that organism.
(4) As a result of findings of Anoplophora chinensis (Forster) on various host plants in the Netherlands, the Commission and other Member States were informed on 21 January 2008 of the measures taken to eradicate that organism in the Netherlands.
(5) Anoplophora chinensis (Forster) has been recently intercepted on many consignments of plants for planting of Acer spp. originating in third countries. At present, there are no special requirements in relation to this harmful organism for plants of Acer spp., nor for other plants which are amongst the most susceptible hosts plants, originating in third countries or in the Community.
(6) A pest risk analysis on Anoplophora chinensis (Forster) was released in 2008 by the Netherlands, which concluded that there is a very high probability of establishment of the organism in the Community and a high potential of economic damage to several host plants.
(7) It is therefore necessary to take emergency measures against the introduction into and spread within the Community of Anoplophora chinensis (Forster). The measures should apply to a list of plants of any origin, the ‘specified plants’, known to be hosts of Anoplophora chinensis (Forster) and which present the highest risk of being infested.
(8) Measures should be defined for the import of the specified plants as regards their production in third countries and inspections at entry into the Community. Measures should also be defined for the production, movement and control of the specified plants originating in areas in the Community where the presence of Anoplophora chinensis (Forster) is confirmed.
(9) Detailed measures should be laid down in areas in the Community where the presence of Anoplophora chinensis (Forster) is confirmed, i.e. the infested zones. In those zones, appropriate measures to eradicate the organism and intensive monitoring of its presence should be applied. In the areas surrounding such areas, i.e. the buffer zones, intensive monitoring for the presence of the organism should take place. In case of the first detection of the organism in an area in the Community, the size of the relevant buffer zone might be reduced to reflect better the more limited risk of spreading.
(10) A survey to check for the presence or continued absence of Anoplophora chinensis (Forster) should be carried out on host plants in all Member States.
(11) It is appropriate that the measures be reviewed by 31 May 2009 taking into account the availability, after one growing season, of the results of the official surveys and examinations by Member States of specified plants imported and being moved within the Community under the emergency measures.
(12) Member States should, if necessary, adapt their legislation in order to comply with this Decision.
(13) The measures provided for in this Decision are in accordance with the opinion of the Standing Committee on Plant Health,