Pest survey card on Pantoea stewartii subsp. stewartii

This pest survey card was prepared in the context of the EFSA mandate on plant pest surveillance (M‐2017‐0137), at the request of the European Commission. Its purpose is to assist the Member States in preparing their survey activities for Pantoeastewartiisubsp. stewartii using a statistically sound and risk‐based pest survey approach. Pantoeastewartiisubsp. stewartiiis a Union quarantine pest and the causal agent of Stewart's disease in maize crops. Maize is the only relevant host and P.stewartii subsp.stewartiiis expected to be able to become established in all maize growing areas of the EU.It is subject to specific measures to prevent entry of the pest via maize seeds, which are considered to be the main pathway for the introduction and spread of the bacterium. Natural spread in the EU through insect vectors is currently uncertain. Surveys in all Member States should be aimed at substantiating pest freedom and should take place once per year at a time when symptoms can be observed in maize crops. The detection should be performed through visual examination and, when symptomatic leaves are observed, they should be collected for laboratory testing. It is recommended that identification of P. stewartiisubsp.stewartiiis done by performing two independent identification methods.