Pest categorisation of .

The Panel on Plant Health performed a pest categorisation of the causal agent of fruit rot and wart bark on apple and pear, for the EU. The pathogen, which was recently characterised, is a well-defined fungal species affecting mainly (Japanese pear) although (European pear) and apples () can also be affected. The host status of other plant species reported in the literature, i.e. and spp., is unclear. .  is currently present in Japan, China, Korea, Taiwan and the USA, and uncertainty exists about its presence in other areas, where the disease has been associated with other spp. The pathogen is not known to occur in the EU and is listed in Annex IIAI of Directive 2000/29/EC. It could potentially enter the EU on host plants for planting and fruit originated in infested countries. Climatic conditions in the EU are suitable for the establishment and spread of the pathogen, as its epidemiology is similar to that of other spp. present in the EU. Pears and apples are widely distributed in the EU. In the infested areas, causes branch dieback and fruit rot resulting in yield/quality losses. Its introduction and spread in the EU could impact pear and apple production, although the magnitude is unknown. Cultural practices and chemical measures may reduce the inoculum sources but cannot eliminate the pathogen. Phytosanitary measures are available to mitigate the risk of introduction and spread of the pathogen in the EU. meets all criteria assessed by EFSA for consideration as a potential Union quarantine pest. As is not known to occur in the EU, this criterion to consider it as a Union regulated non-quarantine pest is not met.