Report WG Feb10

							                       EUROPEAN COMMISSION
                       HEALTH AND CONSUMERS DIRECTORATE-GENERAL

                       Safety of the Food chain
                       Biotechnology and Plant health



                                                                  Brussels, 19 February 2010
                                                                  RB/ D(2009)

    REPORT OF THE COMMISSION WORKING GROUP ON EMERGENCY MEASURES TO
        ERADICATE PINE WOOD NEMATODE FROM THE MADEIRA OUTBREAK

                                            10 FEBRUARY 2010

Participants (via audio connection): H. Arijs (DG SANCO), R. Baayen (DG SANCO), F.
Barradas Soares de Abreu (PT), K. Capieau (SE), H. Evans (UK), M. Felipe (PT), D.
Fragoyiannis (DG SANCO / FVO), P. Rocha da Silva (PT), C. Lobos (PT), N. Pete (DG
SANCO / FVO), N. Pinto Nunes da Silva (PT), J. Rodrigues (PT), Th. Schroeder (DE),
G. Vila (ES); absent: O. Mosbach-Schulz (EFSA)

The Working Group, chaired by Mr. H. Arijs, discussed the action plan submitted by
Portugal concerning the outbreak of Pine Wood Nematode (PWN) on Madeira in the
light of documents recently submitted by Portugal on new outbreaks on Madeira.

1. Update by Portugal on the Madeira outbreak

Portugal presented an update of the survey results. As of 10 February 2010, 348 samples
have been collected of which 130 have been analysed, with 58 positives. The samples
were mixed samples from maximally five trees. Additional to the Funchal outbreak,
infestations have been detected in Sao Vicente, Santana and Santa Cruz. The outbreak in
Sao Vicente has been notified to the Commission on 5 February 2010. Supporting
documents were provided to the Commission on 8-10 February 2010. Most samples have
been taken so far in the north, northeast and southeast of Madeira and few in the western
part of the island, where (other than in the north and northeast) the trees still look healthy.
Portugal expects to have completed the sampling and analysis of 500 samples by mid
March 2010. Nevertheless the sampling activities will continue during the following
weeks, until PT has obtained a detailed map of the distribution of the PWN in Madeira
island. PWN has also been detected in asymptomatic trees in the Funchal outbreak.
Portugal confirmed that survey sampling also includes at the moment asymptomatic trees
at chest height level and when it is possible, in the crown. At the end of the survey
Madeira expects to have an average of 20% of samples from asymptomatic trees.

Portugal confirmed that it has made an effort to cut the symptomatic and declining trees
within 3 km of the first focus zone, although because of practical and technical reasons
related to the orography of the area, it is not possible to remove all the declined trees.
Within 250 m of the outbreak all trees have been felled (whether declining or green and
seemingly healthy). No signs of Monochamus beetle activity were observed (no catches
in the traps). All material from felled trees is chipped or burnt on site. According to Hugh
Evans, the activity of Monochamus will depend on both day length and air temperature.
The behaviour of the vector beetle on Madeira will need to be investigated.

Commission européenne, B-1049 Bruxelles / Europese Commissie, B-1049 Brussel - Belgium. Telephone: (32-2) 299 11 11.
Office: B232 3/102. Telephone: direct line (32-2) 292.04.83. Fax: (32-2) 296.93.99.

E-mail: robert.baayen@ec.europa.eu
Portugal informed the Working Group that the sawmills on Madeira have drying ovens,
which would be used to create a heat shock so that the material from felled pine trees
could be used commercially. Portugal was asked to comply with Decision 2006/133/EC,
providing that treatments have to be carried out in accordance with ISPM No. 15 and that
treatments may only be made by authorised companies under authority of the Portuguese
NPPO and placed on the Commission list of authorised companies. Portugal agreed that
this will also apply to Madeira. The Commission highlighted that Madeira is not allowed
to use any susceptible wood for construction purposes unless (1) treated by an officially
authorised company included on the EU list or (2) tested and found free.

Portugal explained that neither pine wood nor wood packaging composed of susceptible
wood leaves the Madeira archipelago. A legal order has been issued that prohibits all
movements of pine wood in the archipelago. Portugal was requested to comply with the
obligation to carry out movement controls, at the ports and airports of Madeira, and
provide the Commission and the Member States with weekly reports.

 Portugal will send the Commission the recent legal order prohibiting movement of
  pine wood in the Madeira archipelago.

 Portugal will provide the Commission with facts and figures on the trade flow from
  Madeira in relation to susceptible wood and WPM leaving the island.

Portugal has not yet carried out the genetic typing of the new PWN strains. It foresees to
deliver the report by mid March.

2. Discussion of the Action Plan submitted by Portugal for the Madeira outbreak

The Action Plan needs to be amended according to the new situation. The Commission
requested Portugal to provide an update (if possible in English) for discussion in the
Standing Committee on Plant Health on 25-26 February 2010.

Portugal informed the Working Group that it considers the entire island of Madeira, but
not the other islands of the Madeira archipelago, as infested and demarcated area. The
Commission clarified that the new demarcated area must be distinct from the first
demarcated area, consisting of continental Portugal, as agreed in the meeting of
Commission services with the Portuguese Chief Plant Health Officer. Movements of
susceptible wood from the new demarcated area to the first such area are not allowed.

 Portugal will inform the Commission in writing that it considers the entire island of
  Madeira, but not the other islands of the Madeira archipelago, as infested and
  demarcated area.

 The Commission will send Portugal a Portuguese version of Decision 2006/133/EC,
  stipulating the obligation for movement controls and weekly reporting.

3. Follow-up of the meeting

The Commission will include the Madeira PWN outbreak in the agenda of the Standing
Committee on Plant Health of 25-26 February 2010. The FVO announced that it will
carry out a mission concerning PWN to Portugal and Madeira on 28 April – 4 May 2010.
A next meeting of the Working Group will be organised after the next SCPH meeting.
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