Quarantine and Regulated Non-Quarantine Pests Causing Forest Diseases in Portugal (Fungi and Oomycetes)
Invited Researcher: Helena Bragança, Head of the Mycology Laboratory (Plant Health Department) of INIAV, IP
Key Topics Covered:
• Phytosanitary Legislation & Governance: Evolution of EU plant health laws (Regulation (EU) 2016/2031, Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/2072), mandatory reporting of regulated organisms to DGAV/ICNF, and Letters of Authorization (LOA) for sample transit.
• Quarantine Pests vs. RNQPs: Operational distinctions under ISPM 16/21 and EPPO A1/A2 lists—zero-tolerance and eradication for Quarantine Pests versus economic threshold management on plants for planting for Regulated Non-Quarantine Pests.
• INIAV Reference Laboratory Services: Diagnostic workflows under EPPO Bulletin 39(3), isolation media (PDA and SNA), and INIAV's role as National and EU Reference Laboratory (EURL) for fungi and oomycetes.
• Case Studies on Major Forest Pathogens & Biological Control in Portugal:
o Pine Pitch Canker ( Fusarium circinatum ): Portugal’s national action plan, official survey circuits in nurseries and forest stands, and diagnostic laboratory networks (INIAV, UTAD, Fitolab)[12][13].
o Chestnut Blight ( Cryphonectria parasitica ): Diagnostic determination of vegetative compatibility (vc) diversity (predominance of the EU-11 vc type in Portugal) and mating-type ratios (MAT-1 / MAT-2) to validate hyphal fusion and hypovirus transmission prior to applying biological control bioproducts (such as "DICTIS")[14].
o Sudden Oak Death Agent ( Phytophthora ramorum ): Re-evaluating regulatory status changes to RNQP and assessing host threat levels under Portuguese conditions
• Phytosanitary Legislation & Governance: Evolution of EU plant health laws (Regulation (EU) 2016/2031, Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/2072), mandatory reporting of regulated organisms to DGAV/ICNF, and Letters of Authorization (LOA) for sample transit.
• Quarantine Pests vs. RNQPs: Operational distinctions under ISPM 16/21 and EPPO A1/A2 lists—zero-tolerance and eradication for Quarantine Pests versus economic threshold management on plants for planting for Regulated Non-Quarantine Pests.
• INIAV Reference Laboratory Services: Diagnostic workflows under EPPO Bulletin 39(3), isolation media (PDA and SNA), and INIAV's role as National and EU Reference Laboratory (EURL) for fungi and oomycetes.
• Case Studies on Major Forest Pathogens & Biological Control in Portugal:
o Pine Pitch Canker ( Fusarium circinatum ): Portugal’s national action plan, official survey circuits in nurseries and forest stands, and diagnostic laboratory networks (INIAV, UTAD, Fitolab)[12][13].
o Chestnut Blight ( Cryphonectria parasitica ): Diagnostic determination of vegetative compatibility (vc) diversity (predominance of the EU-11 vc type in Portugal) and mating-type ratios (MAT-1 / MAT-2) to validate hyphal fusion and hypovirus transmission prior to applying biological control bioproducts (such as "DICTIS")[14].
o Sudden Oak Death Agent ( Phytophthora ramorum ): Re-evaluating regulatory status changes to RNQP and assessing host threat levels under Portuguese conditions