Pest categorisation of potato virus A (non‐EU isolates)

Following a request from the EU Commission, the Panel on Plant Health has addressed the pest categorisation of non‐EU isolates of potato virus A (PVA). The information currently available on geographical distribution, biology, epidemiology, potential entry pathways, potential additional impact over the current situation and availability of control measures of non‐EU isolates of PVA has been evaluated with regard to the criteria to qualify as potential Union quarantine pest. Because non‐EU isolates of PVA are absent from the EU, they do not meet one of the requirements to be regulated as a regulated non‐quarantine pest (RNQP) (presence in the EU); as a consequence, the Panel decided not to evaluate the other RNQP criteria for these isolates. This categorisation was performed considering two groups of isolates: those reported in Solanum betaceum (PVA‐TamMV, not reported from the EU) and all other isolates (hereafter referred to as PVA, worldwide distribution). Non‐EU isolates of PVA and of PVA‐TamMV do not meet one of the criteria evaluated by EFSA to be regarded as a potential Union quarantine pest, since they are not expected to have an additional impact in the EU.