EUROPEAN COMMISSION HEALTH AND CONSUMERS DIRECTORATE-GENERAL Ares(2011)725252 Directorate F - Food and Veterinary Office DG(SANCO) 2011-8972 - MR FINAL FINAL REPORT OF AN AUDIT CARRIED OUT IN CYPRUS FROM 14 TO 18 FEBRUARY 2011 IN ORDER TO EVALUATE THE SITUATION AND CONTROL OF RYNCHOPHORUS FERRUGINEUS In response to information provided by the Competent Authority, any factual error noted in the draft report has been corrected; any clarification appears in the form of a footnote.
Executive Summary This report describes the outcome of an audit carried out in Cyprus from 14 to 18 February 2011 in order to evaluate the situation and control of Rhyncophorus ferrugineus the red palm weevil. The objective of the audit was to to evaluate the situation and control measures for Rhynchophorus ferrugineus (Olivier), with particular reference to Commission Decision 2007/365/EC. Cyprus has established a comprehensive surveillance and control system for red palm weevil, which in principle, is largely in line with that required by Commission Decision 2007/365/EC. The organism is present, mainly in the southern coastal areas, where it has continued to spread since its introduction. An extensive information campaign has been carried out, which combined with the control measures taken to date have resulted in the successful treatment of many infested palms and in restricting the spread of the organism. However, there are shortcomings in the documentation and implementation of controls, in particular with regards to the frequency of pesticide applications, which may have a significant impact on the effectiveness of the control programme. This is compounded by the lack of legal powers, or specific measures, to ensure access to trees on private property or to require that treatments are carried out. The restriction on the control measures in the 2011 action plan will further impact on the control of the organism. Unless these shortcoming are addressed, the eradication or containment of the pest in Cyprus is unlikely. Recommendations are made in the report to address the shortcomings identified during the audit. I
Table of Contents ABBREVIATIONS AND DEFINITIONS USED IN THIS REPORT...3 1 INTRODUCTION...1 2 OBJECTIVES...1 3 LEGAL BASIS...1 4 BACKGROUND...1 4.1 RHYNCHOPHORUS FERRUGINEUS...1 4.2 PREVIOUS MISSIONS...2 5 FINDINGS AND CONCLUSIONS...2 5.1 ORGANISATIONAL ASPECTS...2 5.1.1 COMPETENT AUTHORITIES...3 5.1.2 SPECIFIC LEGISLATION...3 5.1.3 INFORMATION CAMPAIGN AND CO-OPERATION WITH STAKEHOLDERS...3 5.2 SURVEYS AND NOTIFICATION...4 5.3 CONTROL MEASURES IN CASE OF OUTBREAK...6 5.3.1 ACTION PLANS...6 5.3.2 DEMARCATION...7 5.3.3 PHEROMONE TRAPS...7 5.3.4 CONTROL MEASURES...8 5.4 CONTROL OF INTERNAL MOVEMENT...10 5.5 IMPORT CONTROLS...11 6 OVERALL CONCLUSIONS...11 7 CLOSING MEETING...12 8 RECOMMENDATIONS...12 ANNEX 1 - LEGAL REFERENCES...13 II
ABBREVIATIONS AND DEFINITIONS USED IN THIS REPORT Abbreviation Explanation Demarcated area Area demarcated in accordance with Article 6 of Commission Decision 2007/365/EC, comprising both the infested zone and the surrounding buffer zone. DoA Department of Agriculture EPPO European and Mediterranean Plant Protection Organisation EU European Union FVO Food and Veterinary Office ISPM International Standard for Phytosanitary Measures PPS Plant Protection Sector PHQCS Plant Health and Quality Control Sector Red palm weevil Rhynchophorus ferrugineus (Olivier) Susceptible plants Species of plants as listed in Article 1(b) of Commission Decision 2007/365/EC, namely host plants of Rhynchophorus ferrugineus, other than fruit and seeds, having a diameter of the stem at the base of over 5 cm. III
1 INTRODUCTION This audit took place in Cyprus from 14 to 18 February 2011 as part of the Food and Veterinary Office's (FVO) planned programme. The FVO team, which consisted of two inspectors from the FVO and a national expert from a Member State, was accompanied by representatives of the single authority, the Plant Health and Quality Control Sector (PHQCS), throughout the visit. An opening meeting was held on 14 February 2011 at the headquarters of the PHQCS in Nicosia, during which the objective, itinerary, and the standard reporting procedures were confirmed, and additional information required for the satisfactory completion of the audit was requested. 2 OBJECTIVES The objective of the audit was to evaluate the situation and control measures for Rhynchophorus ferrugineus (Olivier), with particular reference to Commission Decision 2007/365/EC. The following visits were carried out in pursuit of this objective: Competent authority visits Competent authorities Headquarters Comments 1 Plant Health and Quality Sector, Nicosia District 3 Department of Agriculture; Larnaca, Nicosia, Limassol Laboratory 2 Plant Protection Sector Laboratory, Nicosia; Agriculture Research Institute, Nicosia. 6 Larnaca, Limassol, Nicosia, Aya Napa, Ammochostos, Pissouri Municipal authorities Control sites 3 Comments Garden centre/importer 3 Limassol, Lemesos and Aya Napa Private green area/garden 2 Hotel Limassol and Aya Napa Public green areas/garden 6 Nicosia, Limassol, Lemesos, Pissouri, Larnaca and Aya Napa LEGAL BASIS The audit was carried out in accordance with Article 21 of Council Directive 2000/29/EC and relevant technical provisions of that Directive. All legal references relevant for this audit are listed in Annex 1. Legal acts quoted refer, where applicable, to the last amended version. 4 BACKGROUND 4.1 RHYNCHOPHORUS FERRUGINEUS The red palm weevil is one of the most significant pests of palm trees; it is also reported to affect to a much lesser extent, sugar cane and American Aloe. The red palm weevil was introduced into the EU on imported palms, in particular, Phoenix canariensis from Egypt. It was first reported in the EU in 1996, in Spain; it has since also been found in France, Portugal, Greece, Italy and, in 2006, Cyprus. The European and Mediterranean Plant Protection Organisation (EPPO) has published a pest data sheet on R. ferrugineus, which provides detailed information on the distribution, biology and control of this pest: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1365-2338.2008.01195.x/pdf.). Commission Decision 2007/365/EC of 25 May 2007, establishes emergency measures to prevent 1
the introduction into, and the spread within the EU, of Rhynchophorus ferrugineus (the red palm weevil). It includes requirements for Member States to organise surveys for the organism, and details the measures that should be taken if the pest is found, as well as specific requirements for the import and movement of susceptible plants in the EU. The Decision was amended in 2008 (Decision 2008/776/EC, extending the list of susceptible plants) and again in 2010 (2010/476/EU). The latter amendment introduced a number of new elements, including requirements for the notification of outbreaks in new areas within 5 days and for action plans to be submitted annually to the European Commission for each Demarcated Area. The amendment also introduced more details on the measures to be taken following an occurrence of the organism. The implementation of the Decision is covered in chapter 5 below. In Cyprus the life-cycle of red palm weevil is completed in 4 months. The adults are less active in December, January and February (winter time), depending on prevailing weather conditions. The organism has been found on Phoenix canariensis and to a lesser extent, Phoenix dactylifera, Washingtonia spp., and Syagrus romanzoffianum, which is not included in the list of susceptible plants defined in Article 1 of Commission Decision 2007/365/EC. Cyprus notified the findings on Syagrus to the European Commission in 2009. 4.2 PREVIOUS MISSIONS The FVO has previously carried out 9 missions in order to evaluate the situation and control of R. ferrugineus in 5 Member States: Italy, Spain, Portugal, France and Greece. It has also carried out a mission to Egypt in order to evaluate the system of controls for the organism in susceptible plants exported to the EU. The reports of all FVO missions are published on their website: http://ec.europa.eu/food/fvo/index_en.htm Since Cyprus' accession to the European Union in 2004, the FVO has carried out one mission related to plant health (DG SANCO 2008/7871) in order to evaluate the status of various harmful organisms and their relevant protected zones. The report of this mission is available on the FVO website. 5 FINDINGS AND CONCLUSIONS 5.1 ORGANISATIONAL ASPECTS Legal requirements Article 1(4) of Council Directive 2000/29/EC requires that Member States establish or designate a Single Authority, which shall be responsible, at least, for the co-ordination and contact in relation to matters covered by the Directive. Article 2(1)(g) of the same Directive defines "responsible official bodies" as being either the Single Authority or any State authority established at national level, or under the supervision within the limits set by the constitution of the Member State concerned, of national authorities at regional level. Commission Decision 2007/365/EC sets out emergency measures to prohibit the introduction into and spread of R. ferrugineus within the EU. Article 7 of the same Decision lays down that Member States should, if necessary, adapt their legislation in order to comply with the Decision. Article 5(2) of Decision 2007/365/EC requires that Member States shall ensure that any suspected or actual appearance of R. ferrugineus in their territory is immediately notified to the responsible official bodies of the Member State concerned. 2
Findings 5.1.1 Competent Authorities The structure and responsibilities of the plant health services in Cyprus are described in detail in the previous mission report and the FVO country profile for Cyprus ( http://ec.europa.eu/food/fvo/country_profiles/cp_cyprus.pdf ) In summary: The Department of Agriculture (DoA), which is part of the Ministry of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environment, has been designated as the Single Authority for plant health. The controls are the responsibility of the DoA's Plant Health and Quality Sector, while the Plant Protection Sector (PPS) is responsible for diagnostics and advisory services. In practice, the control measures for R. ferrugineus are implemented by technical staff from the relevant municipalities and/or by private contractors, under the supervision of DoA staff based in district offices. The Agriculture Research Institute, which is a Department of the Ministry of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environment, is responsible for carrying out research relevant to agricultural crops and provides advice to the DoA, including the PHQCS. The FVO team visited this Institute and met with researchers from the Plant Protection Section. Limited research on the biology of the red palm weevil had previously been carried out. Three research projects relevant to the integrated management of the organism had been proposed, but funding had not been approved as the pest does not affect agricultural crops. 5.1.2 Specific legislation The PHQCS informed the FVO team that Commission Decision 2007/365/EC is directly applicable in Cyprus and no implementing legislation is required. Following the publication of the Decision and its amendment, the PHQCS issued a circular to district staff to draw attention to the Decision and to provide a brief summary of the main requirements of the Decision. The PHQCS informed the team that the implementation of the Decision was also included in ongoing training courses for PHQCS inspectors. The PHQCS inspectors met by the FVO team confirmed that they had received the above mentioned documents. The FVO team also saw the relevant information and materials prepared by the PHQCS. The PHQCS stated that they do not have legislative power to access private property or to require that corrective action including control measures, are taken, and if this is not done, to carry out the measures themselves. The staff met during the site visits informed the FVO team that this was a significant issue as not all susceptible plants can be inspected or treated in the infested zones. 5.1.3 Information campaign and co-operation with stakeholders The Department of Forestry is responsible for forest areas and for the highways; the PHQCS stated that they are informed of any suspicious symptoms in these areas. The PHQCS informed the FVO team that places registered in accordance with Commission Directive 92/90/EC, including importers and garden centres, are obliged to notify the PHQCS of a suspected occurrence of red palm weevil. There are no similar legal obligations for members of the public, however an intensive publicity campaign had been implemented to inform the public and 3
stakeholders of the pest and its significance. A leaflet with information on the pest (such as morphology, symptoms and control measures) has been distributed to plant health inspectors and stakeholders and posters have been distributed for display by the municipal authorities. Information had also been provided through websites, electricity bills and national media (press, radio and TV targeting agricultural workers and relevant stakeholders including importers and exporters). In addition, municipal authorities and stakeholders professionally involved in production and trade of susceptible plants have been directly contacted and provided with the material in writing. The PHQCS stated that a new television campaign aimed at the general public would be carried out in 2011. The FVO team noted that: The stakeholders were familiar with red palm weevil and the symptoms and measures for its control. Many of the outbreaks had been notified to the DoA by stakeholders. There was good cooperation between the PHQCS and municipal authorities in the affected regions. There was no obvious publicity in the municipalities visited and information targeting the expatriate property owners, in particular, holiday homes had not been provided. The PHQCS stated that, due to the lack of legal powers, they were reliant on good communication and cooperation with householders in order to gain access for survey or control purposes. The PHQCS reported that there was good cooperation with the Sovereign Base Areas (http://www.sba.mod.uk/index.htm) and that they occasionally carried out joint controls in these areas. Conclusions There is a clear structure and division of responsibilities between the services responsible for the control of R. ferrugineus in Cyprus. Commission Decision 2007/365/EC is directly applicable in Cyprus, however the ability of the services to ensure that its requirements are implemented fully are prevented or hindered by the lack of powers of entry and enforcement, in particular with relation to private property. No specific measures have been introduced to address this, which is not in line with Article 6, para 1 (b) of Decision 2007/365/EC. There is good cooperation and information flow between the services and stakeholders, and action has been taken to raise awareness of R. ferrugineus, which should help to ensure that any findings of this are notified. However, with the exception of information included with electricity bills, information targeted at the general public and in particular holiday homes, has not yet been provided. 5.2 SURVEYS AND NOTIFICATION Legal requirements Article 5(1) of Commission Decision 2007/365/EC provides that Member States shall conduct official surveys for the presence of R. ferrugineus. The results of those surveys shall be notified to the Commission and the other Member States by 28 February of each year. Article 5(3) lays down that any occurrence of the pest in an area where its presence was previously unknown shall be notified to the Commission and the other Member States within five days and in writing. 4
Point 2(b) in Annex II to Decision 2007/365/EC provides that measures in demarcated areas shall include intensive monitoring for the presence of R. ferrugineus, including pheromone trapping at least in the infested zone. International Standard for Phytosanitary Measures (ISPM) No. 4 (Food and Agriculture Organisation, Rome, 1995) describes the requirements for the establishment and use of pest free areas. EPPO Data sheet on quarantine pests for R. ferrugineus (Bulletin OEPP/EPPO, 2008, Vol. 38, pp. 55-59) recommends the use of pheromone traps to detect early infestation. Findings The red palm weevil was first detected in Cyprus in the garden of a hotel in Limassol on 14 September 2006, following an inspection by the PHQCS. The infested palms were removed and destroyed and the occurrence was formally notified to the Commission and other Member States. The PHQCS stated that, since the red palm weevil was an unknown pest at the time and that there was no Community legislation in place, a pest risk assessment was carried out in order to determine the risk, control measures and survey strategy. They informed the FVO team that a significant limiting factor for control measures to be taken at the time was that the pest does not affect agricultural crops and therefore the economic impact was not considered to be significant enough to warrant extensive measures against the pest. A survey programme was established, which included visual inspection and the use of pheromone traps throughout Cyprus, in both the infested and non infested areas, targeting the areas surrounding garden centres that handle imported palms and palm trees originating in other Member States. Two outbreaks were found in private gardens and 2 findings were found in importers premises, in Famagusta and Larnaca, both of which involved palms imported from Egypt. The PHQCS stated that the infested lots were destroyed by incineration. In 2007, the red palm weevil was found in further locations, mainly in and around Limassol and Larnaca; 47 outbreaks were identified, including 8 garden centres (production and retail) with imported palms and 39 public green and private gardens. In 2008, following the adoption of Decision 2007/365/EC, guidelines for inspectors were issued by the PHQCS, which followed the provisions of the Decision. The FVO team noted that these have since been updated to reflect the amendments to the Decision and changes to the control measures. A revised survey programme was established in May 2008, which incorporated knowledge about the biology and behavior of the organism in Cyprus gained following the first finding. This programme included an intensive publicity campaign, monitoring with pheromone traps, cultural and chemical methods of control, data recording and reporting. In 2008, 100 new outbreaks were identified, which included 4 garden centres and 94 public and private green areas. The findings were all concentrated along the southern coastal area. In 2009, 30,359 established palms and 33,943 imported palms had been inspected; 83 new outbreaks were found, which included 10 garden centres and 73 public and private green sites. Outbreaks were found for the first time in Nicosia. In 2010, 111 outbreaks were found in the five infested zones, and for the first time in the area of Pissouri and Ammochostos. Seven of the outbreaks were in garden centres and the remainder were in public green areas and public parks. The demarcation of infested areas and buffer zones is covered in section 5.3.2 below. Findings since 2009 have been notified immediately and in 2010, an application for solidarity funding was accepted. The most recent outbreak, found in the area of Ammochostos in 2010 was 5
also notified immediately. With the exception of Nicosia, the outbreaks were linked either to imported plants or to local spread from untreated plants in infected areas. The most likely source of the outbreak in Nicosia is thought to be spread from the areas not under the effective control of the Republic of Cyprus as no evidence of the pest was found in other areas of Nicosia; the site is also within 300m of this area and has only mature plants. Conclusions Official annual surveys have been carried out throughout Cyprus for the presence of R. ferrugineus since 2006, based on visual inspection and pheromone traps, in line with Article 5 of Decision 2007/365/EC. The pest is known to be present mainly in the southern coastal areas, where it has continued to spread since its introduction. Except for isolated cases, the organism has not been found to be present in other parts of the country where effective control of the Republic of Cyprus is exercised. The outcome of the surveys and any occurrences of the pest in areas where it was not previously known to occur are also notified to the Commission in line with Articles 5(1) and 5(3) of that Decision. 5.3 CONTROL MEASURES IN CASE OF OUTBREAK Legal requirements Article 6 of Commission Decision 2007/365/EC provides that when the presence of R. ferrugineus is confirmed, the Member State shall demarcate areas in accordance with Annex II, Point 1, of the Decision. Annex II, Point 2, defines specific measures for demarcated areas; these include appropriate measures aiming at eradicating the pest (including destruction or, where appropriate, complete mechanical sanitation; measures to prevent any spread of the pest during the destruction or sanitation; appropriate treatment; mass pheromone trapping; etc.) and intensive monitoring for the presence of the pest by appropriate inspections and pheromone trapping, at least in infested areas. The same point under (c) provides that 'official measures (...) shall include, where necessary, specific measures to address any particularity or complication that could reasonably be expected to prevent, hinder or delay its implementation, in particular those related to the accessibility and adequate eradication of all susceptible plants, infested or suspected of infestation, irrespective of their location, public or private ownership or the person or entity responsible for them'. Article 6(2) of the same Decision provides that a Member State shall establish and implement action plan in the newly demarcated area and shall notify it to the Commission and the other Member States within one month following the notification of the finding. Findings 5.3.1 Action Plans The PHQCS informed the FVO team that annual control plans had been drawn up for red palm weevil since 2007. These plans include financial as well as practical elements for the control programme, and are updated annually. In 2010, a new revised action plan was drafted for the years 2011-2013 where emphasis is given to biological control in addition to chemical control and the destruction of palms by shredding and burning. This PHQCS stated that this was approved by the Ministerial Council with important 6
amendments, in particular with regards to the agreed budget, which was restricted to 500,000 for 2011. Therefore amendments of the action plan were needed. The new revised action plan now covers only 2011 and has excluded the possibility of shredding infested material. Preventative treatments will only be applied to Phoenix canariensis, which is the most susceptible to red palm weevil, and not other susceptible plants, in infected areas and mass trapping has also been suspended. The revised action plan, which applies to 2011 only, was submitted to the European Commission, within the deadline specified in Decision 2007/365/EC. 5.3.2 Demarcation The demarcation of areas following an occurrence of red palm weevil is the responsibility of the PHQCS, who informed the FVO team that the extent of the infested zone follows the line of infested trees; it is not demarcated according to municipal boundaries. Local authorities (municipalities/communities) are informed by the PHQCS if they fall within a Demarcated Area and a copy of the map prepared by the PHQCS is provided. The infested area was increased from 276.1 km2 in 2007, to 454 km2 in 2008 and 654.1 km2 in 2009. A buffer zone of at least 10 km is designated beyond the boundary of the infected zone. Following the additional cases identified in 2010, the demarcated areas were revised; the resulting overlapping buffer zones were extended to form a continuous area, as detailed in figure 1 below. The infested area was extended to 764.3km2. Figure 1: Demarcated Areas for Rynchophorus ferrugineus in 2010 5.3.3 Pheromone traps Pheromone traps have been used in Cyprus since 2006; between 2007 and 2009 they were used throughout Cyprus, but they are now used within the infested zones to monitor the pest populations. The total number of traps used was 81 in 2007, 127 in 2008, 144 in 2009 and 135 in 2010, which 7
the PPS estimated to provide a trapping density of 5/km2. The traps are monitored by PHQCS inspectors and other personnel of the Department of Agriculture once every two weeks and the data is reported to PHQCS. The traps are inspected more frequently during the summer and autumn period when the pest is more active. The pheromone lures are also changed more frequently during this period, due to the effect of high temperatures. The traps are maintained by staff from the DoA district offices. The PHQCS stated that in 2011 it was intended to use some traps in the buffer zone, immediately adjacent to the infected zone, and also, depending on funding being made available, to initiate a mass trapping programme in the most heavily infested areas. The FVO team noted that the location of the traps is not recorded or mapped in all cases, and that the data on trap catches is not currently used in the control programme. 5.3.4 Control measures The control measures for red palm weevil are detailed below. In addition, stakeholders are advised to refrain from damaging trees, excess watering and pruning during the summer period to avoid attracting adults. If this is unavoidable, the PHQCS advise that wounds should be treated with appropriate pesticides to minimise the risk of attracting red palm weevil. Destruction of infested trees The control measures applied are based on chemical treatments. Destruction of infested palms has been carried out mainly for infested lots found in garden centres and importers. In 2008, 281 trees were destroyed, which increased to 313 in 2009, and 408 in 2010. The PHQCS stated that infested trees may only be destroyed after sanitation, or disinsection, with pesticides, in order to minimise the risk of further spread. The crown should also be covered with plastic sheeting to avoid any risk of further spread. The infested parts are transported under cover for disposal. Mature trees in private property have occasionally been destroyed, subject to the same conditions, but due to the lack of legal powers referred to in section 5.1.2 above, and the PHQCS and municipalities lacking of suitable equipment, any destruction is carried out by private contractors at the owner's expense, on a voluntary basis. The FVO team noted during the site visits, in particular in the Limassol district, that a number of trees showing advanced symptoms of infestation were in place on private property. The PHQCS advised that even if access was granted, there were no funds or equipment available to them, to destroy such plants. Chemical control The PHQCS and PPS have drawn up a treatment protocol based on international practice and label recommendations. Two types of treatment regimes are applied: curative and preventative. In cases where the infestation can be removed, leaving the crown intact (dendrosurgery), curative treatments may be applied. Preventative treatments are applied to non-infested susceptible plants in the infested zone. The treatments recommended for red palm weevil are detailed in table 3 below. Table 3: Protocol for preventative and curative treatment of Red Palm Weevil ACTIVE INGREDIENT/ TRADE NAME METHOD OF APPLICATION / DOSAGE PREVENTIVE TREATMENT ROOT Chlorpyriphos Dimethoate FOLIAR (Crown) 15-20ml/10 liters 30-50ml/ plant Cypermethrin 15ml/10 liters 5ml/10 liters CURATIVE TREATMENT ROOT 8 FOLIAR (Crown)
Imidachloprid (*until 31/1/2011) 5-10ml/ plant 10ml/10 litres Thiamethoxam 5-20gr/plant 40gr/10 liters Chlorpyrifos and Imidachlorprid * 2 3ml/litre water or 1ml/litre water# Chlorpyrifos and Τhiametoxam* 2-3ml/litre water or 0,5gr/litre water# Notes Spraying: Two applications. The second application after 20 days. Root application: Two applications. Second application after three months. Foliar application: Crown of the plant, pour 5-10 liters/ plant depending on size of palm tree. *: This combination is applied through foliar application. # Depending on formulation The treatment protocol in the above table has not been validated in Cyprus, however the PHQCS informed the FVO team that the treatment regime appears to be effective in locally eradicating or preventing the further spread of the pest provided that it is well organised and used in the area without exception, and that it is used at the recommended rate and repeated according to the duration of the efficacy at 20-30 days intervals and plants are covered completely with the insecticide solution, especially the canopy. The chemicals and traps are provided by the PHQCS; the treatments are applied either by municipal staff or private contractors following training and authorisation by the Department of Agriculture. The PHQSC informed the FVO team that no treatments are applied mid-july and August, when air temperature exceeds 40oC, due to operator safety concerns. All P. canariensis and P. dactylifera plants in the infected zone and the adjacent 3km of the buffer zone are subject to the preventative treatment regime, although the PHQSC informed the FVO team that due to financial constraints, in 2011 only P. canariensis plants will be subject to preventative treatments. The PHQCS informed the FVO team that in 2008, 9,000 trees were treated, in 2009 this rose to 30,359 and 39,185 in 2010. In 2010, 887 established susceptible plants in the demarcated zones were inspected. There are no production sites in the Republic of Cyprus with interest to produce and sell palms. Traded palms are usually transplanted either in soil or larger pots. The FVO team visited 6 municipalities and noted that: The treatments had been applied at 20 day intervals in two of the municipalities. In the remainder, the treatments had been applied 2 to 3 times a year, generally in early summer and early autumn. Hotels in Limassol had applied the treatments themselves at the recommended frequencies. All except for two municipalities reported problems with gaining access to palms on private property. This was particularly the case in Limassol, where there are a high number of holiday properties. Treatments are applied by operators trained by the PHQCS. Records are kept of the total number of trees treated or not treated in each area, but no details of the trees that were not treated are recorded. The FVO team also noted that the curative treatments had been effective in many cases and that all symptomatic plants had been subject to dendrosurgery and treatment, many of which showed strong signs of recovery. The PHQCS informed the FVO team that due to lack of powers of access to private property or the 9
power to require treatment be carried out, it was not possible to apply curative or preventative treatments to all susceptible plants. Conclusions Control measures are taken following an occurrence of R. ferrugineus, including the demarcation of areas and the establishment of an action plan in line with Decision 2007/365/EC. However infested trees, other than those found in garden centres or importers, are not systematically destroyed and the revised action plan for 2011 will enable only treatment of P. canariensis and not all susceptible plants, which for those plants in the immediate vicinity of infested plants, is not in line with point 2(a)(ii) of Annex II to the Decision. The planned control measures are based mainly on curative and preventative treatment with pesticides. While this is in line with point 2(a) of Annex II, the treatment regime determined by the Cypriot authorities to be appropriate, is not implemented in practice in the majority of infected municipalities. The additional constraints on access to private property and the power to require that action is taken, and the absence of specific measures to address this, mean that the official measures are not implemented in all cases, as required by Article 6 of the Decision. The documentation of controls means that it is not possible to identify which trees have been treated or not, which raises the risk that certain trees may remain untreated for a significant period of time, and act as reservoirs for the further spread of the pest. The data from the pheromone traps, which may act as an indicator of the effectiveness of the treatment regime, is not currently used. 5.4 CONTROL OF INTERNAL MOVEMENT Legal requirements Article 4 of Commission Decision 2007/365/EC provides that susceptible plants may only be moved within the Community if the conditions as specified in Annex I, Point 2, are met. Findings The PHQCS informed the FVO team that there are 340 garden centres registered in accordance with Commission Directive 92/90/EC, in Cyprus, of which 92 have palms. In Cyprus, garden centres include importers and distributors of susceptible plants. There are 3 5 non-professional producers of susceptible plants, which are produced directly from seed. A considerable number of susceptible plants are moved into Cyprus from other Member States every year, as detailed in table 4 below. The main source of susceptible plants is the Netherlands. Table 4: Movement of susceptible plants into Cyprus from other Member States, 2005-2010 Year Greece Italy Netherlands Spain Belgium Total 2005 858 5,346 74,197 80 1,780 82,261 11,905 68,070 79,975 76,021 2006 2007 469 5,426 70,126 2008 10 4,063 59,826 2009 75 19,209 40,887 60,171 2010 65 2,615 42,758 45,438 1,477 48,564 355,864 TOTAL 20 100 63,919 1,780 407,785 There has been a decline in the total number of plants from other Member States since 2005, and a marked decline since 2009 in the total numbers of susceptible plants being moved into Cyprus from 10
other Member States. The PHQCS issues plant passports for all plants for planting; they stated that in 2009, plant passports were issued only for traders in the Pest free area (Nicosia). Since the outbreak in Nicosia was discovered, no plant passports have been issued for any susceptible plants. Plants originating outside of Cyprus retain their original plant passports for subsequent movements, after entering the Demarcated Areas. The FVO team visited two garden centres where red palm weevil had been found. It was noted that control measures had been implemented and that the premises had been regularly inspected by the PHQCS. The persons responsible met, informed the FVO team that there is no interest in the purchase of susceptible plants and that none had been sold for 2 years. Conclusions The PHQCS has established controls on the movement of susceptible plants and issue of plant passports for susceptible plants. However, susceptible plants that originate outside of Demarcated areas are permitted to retain their original passports after entering the Demarcated Area, even though the conditions for the subsequent movement of such plants specified in point 2 of Annex I to Decision 2007/365/EC have not been complied with. 5.5 IMPORT CONTROLS Legal requirements According to Article 3 of Commission Decision 2007/365/EC, susceptible plants may be introduced into the Community only if certain conditions specified in Annex I, Point 1 of the Decision, are met. Findings Since 2005, susceptible plants have been imported into Cyprus from 8 third countries, as detailed in table 5 below. Israel is the principal source of such plants. Table 5: Origin and quantity of susceptible plants imported into Cyprus 2005-2010 Sri Lanka Israel 2005 25,789 2006 25,163 328 1,591 41 2007 38,656 390 345 61 2008 40,459 1,021 2009 31,870 2,073 2010 33,056 20 TOTAL 194,993 China New Zealand Year Egypt Thailand 1,505 3,832 1,000 Indonesia United Arab Emirates Total 2,187 1,000 30,481 1,375 28,498 39,452 8 42,488 33,943 109 1,000 8 3,441 211 33,185 3,562 1,000 208,047 The PHQCS stated that all susceptible plants are subject to documentary and identity checks at place of entry; plant health checks are carried out at the importers site. The PHQCS stated that plants are required to originate either in a pest free country, or in a pest free area, since no importers have access to protected sites for such plants for post entry quarantine. The FVO team examined phytosanitary certificates received by importers and noted that they included additional declarations of either country freedom, or that the plants originated in pest free areas. Conclusions 11
Cyprus has established an import control procedure which is in line with relevant EU legislation. 6 OVERALL CONCLUSIONS Cyprus has established a comprehensive surveillance and control system for red palm weevil, which in principle, is largely in line with that required by Commission Decision 2007/365/EC. The organism is present, mainly in the southern coastal areas, where it has continued to spread since its introduction. An extensive information campaign has been carried out, which combined with the control measures taken to date have resulted in the successful treatment of many infested palms and in restricting the spread of the organism. However, there are shortcomings in the documentation and implementation of controls, in particular with regards to the frequency of pesticide applications, which may have a significant impact on the effectiveness of the control programme. This is compounded by the lack of legal powers, or specific measures, to ensure access to trees on private property or to require that treatments are carried out. The restriction on the control measures in the 2011 action plan will further impact on the control of the organism. Unless these shortcoming are addressed, the eradication or containment of the pest in Cyprus is unlikely. 7 CLOSING MEETING A closing meeting was held on 18 February 2011 with representatives of the PHQCS and PPS, during which, the main findings and preliminary conclusions were presented by the mission team. The PHQCS provisionally accepted the findings and conclusions. 8 RECOMMENDATIONS The competent authorities of Cyprus are recommended to: N. Recommendation 1. Ensure that, in cases where Rhynchophorus ferrugineus is found, the control measures are imposed in each case, as required by Article 6(1)(b) of Commission Decision 2007/365/EC, in particular with regards to trees on private property and the destruction or mechanical sanitation of infested susceptible plants as specified by Point 2(i) and (c) of Annex II to the Decision. 2. Ensure that the control measures applied comply with provisions of Point 2 of Annex II to Decision 2007/365/EC, in particular that the chemical treatments are appropriate and that these are applied to all susceptible plants in the immediate vicinity, as specified by Point 2(a)(ii) and (iii) of that Annex. 3. Revise the documentation of controls so that it can be ensured that susceptible plants have been subject to appropriate inspections and treatments in line with Point 2(a) and (b) of Annex II to Decision 2007/365/EC. 4. Ensure that any susceptible plants are moved, including from garden centres, only if they comply with the requirements set out in Annex I, point 2(c) of Decision 2007/365/EC and that they are accompanied by a plant passport issued in compliance 12
N. Recommendation with that point. 5. Consider validating the treatment protocol for Rhynchophorus ferrugineus to verify that it is appropriate in the conditions in Cyprus. 6. Consider adapting the treatment protocol in light of data on Rhynchophorus ferrugineus activity from trap captures. 7. Consider the provision of additional information, targeting owners of holiday homes and other properties where access is difficult or not possible. The competent authority's response to the recommendations can be found at: http://ec.europa.eu/food/fvo/ap/ap_cy_2011-8972.pdf 13
ANNEX 1 - LEGAL REFERENCES Legal Reference Official Journal Title Dec. 2007/365/EC OJ L 139, 31.5.2007, 2007/365/EC: Commission Decision p. 24-27 2007 on emergency measures to introduction into and the spread Community of Rhynchophorus (Olivier) Dir. 92/90/EEC OJ L 344, 26.11.1992, Commission Directive 92/90/EEC of 3 November p. 38-39 1992 establishing obligations to which producers and importers of plants, plant products or other objects are subject and establishing details for their registration 14 of 25 May prevent the within the ferrugineus