A new Commission report describes the outbreak situation and assesses the impact of the EU emergency measures to control the introduction and spread of a new virus called tomato brown rugose fruit virus.

The report concludes that EU emergency measures, first introduced in 2019, created a high level of awareness of the disease and contributed to the control of the outbreaks but did not prevent the introduction of the virus to new production sites and its spread within infected crops. It further finds that infected seeds and plants are likely the most significant pathways for the introduction of the virus to a production site. It also identifies weaknesses in the sampling and testing regime of seeds and plants and the implementation of these by some national authorities. Finally, the report highlights the importance of stringent actions to minimise the risk of new outbreaks in the EU and makes proposals for improving the control measures.

Since its appearance in the EU in 2018, the tomato brown rugose fruit virus has caused severe damage in tomato and pepper crops. The infected plants die or produce deformed, unmarketable fruits. The EU emergency measures include controls on the production, import and movement of tomato and pepper seeds and plants, and in case of an outbreak, to implement strict hygiene and other measures.

To read the report´s assessment on measures to control the tomato brown rugose fruit virus, please click here…