Reference source : WTO
The European Union has notified a draft amendment to Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/2072, proposing new plant health measures aimed at preventing the introduction and spread of several pests that could endanger agricultural and forestry production within the Union.
The proposal would add the following four species to the list of Union quarantine pests: Resseliella citrifrugis, Chrysobothris femorata sensu lato, Chrysobothris mali, and Citripestis sagittiferella. According to the draft regulation, these listings are based on pest risk assessments and analyses conducted by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), the European and Mediterranean Plant Protection Organisation (EPPO), and EU Member States. These assessments concluded that these pests could become established in parts of the EU and have an economic impact on crops, fruit production, or forestry resources.
New Requirements for Citrus and Wood Imports
In addition to the new pest listings, the draft introduces specific phytosanitary requirements for certain imports. For citrus fruits originating in China, exporters would need to demonstrate that their produce is free from Resseliella citrifrugis through pest-free areas, pest-free production sites, approved systems approaches, or post-harvest treatments.
The proposal also introduces new requirements for certain wood imports from the United States and Canada in response to the risks posed by Chrysobothris femorata and Chrysobothris mali. Depending on the circumstances, wood would need to originate from pest-free areas or undergo approved heat or irradiation treatments before export to the EU.
Removal of Two Begomoviruses
The draft would also remove the Begomoviruses honeysuckle yellow vein virus (HYVV00) and cotton leaf curl Gezira virus (CLCUGV) from the Union quarantine pest list. According to the Commission, Member State reports and a risk assessment indicated that these viruses are already present in the EU and no longer meet the criteria for quarantine pest status.
The proposal also includes corrections to the scientific names of Dendroctonus micans (Kugelann) and Crataegus, as well as related updates to phytosanitary requirements and CN codes.
Next Steps
The draft was notified to the WTO on 19 June 2026, with a comment period open until 18 August 2026. The Regulation will enter into force 20 days after publication and will apply from the first day of the seventh month following publication.