The European Food Safety Authority published two scientific reviews updating the current knowledge and understanding on Xylella fastidiosa.
The first document, published in July 2018 provides an update on the pest categorisation of Xylella fastidiosa.
It contains the latest scientific knowledge on the biology and the distribution of X. fastidiosa wordwilde, with a particular focus on the outbreaks detected on the EU territory, the genetics of the European strains, susceptible plant species and presence and distribution of vectors in Europe.
Moreover, the document restates the regulatory status of the bacterium as “quarantine” organism for the EU.
The second document updates the EFSA’s database of host plants of X. fastidiosa.
The updated list now includes 563 plant species identified through a new literature search and from notifications to the EU’s plant health interception service EUROPHYT. The list now covers both species of the pathogen – X. fastidiosa and X. taiwanensis – and includes information on plant varieties that are resistant or tolerant to Xylella. This database provides essential information to scientists and risk assessors and supports risk managers in carrying out surveillance and other phytosanitary measures, such as inspections of plants for planting.
Both documents include scientific contributions gathered in the framework of the EU-funded projects POnTE and XF-ACTORS.