Recommended regulated non-quarantine pests (RNQPs), associated thresholds and risk management measures in the European and Mediterranean region

Some pests may be present on plants for planting and cause an unacceptable economic impact on the intended use of these plants, even though they are already present in the area. By consequence, these pests may be regulated and then called ‘Regulated Non-Quarantine Pests’ (RNQPs) according to international standards. RNQPs, often not identified as such, are commonly regulated either together with quarantine pests in plant health regulations, or within programmes for the certification of plants for planting through specific requirements for pests and diseases that come in addition to non-phytosanitary requirements. In 2016, Union RNQPs have been introduced in the new EU plant health regulation which shall apply from December 2019. In this context, EPPO agreed to undertake a 2-year project on RNQPs, the EU Quality Pest Project. After having developed a methodology, data were collected through a rapid bibliography of scientific literature, questionnaire responses, exchanges on practical experience within six sector expert working groups, as well as a consultation of EPPO member countries, in order to perform a rapid evaluation of the RNQP status of about 1400 pest-host-intended use combinations. The resulting list of pests fulfilling the RNQP definition is presented in this paper, as well as the main issues discussed on thresholds and risk management measures.