Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/1432 of 3 July 2026 on measures to prevent the establishment and the spread within the Union territory of Meloidogyne graminicola Golden & Birchfield and for the eradication and containment of that pest within certain demarcated areas and repealing Implementing Regulation (EU) 2022/1372
Data as of 2026-07-30 · Compiled from an official source version. Later amendments or repeals may not be reflected; the official text prevails. · Read the official text ↗
Subject matter
This Regulation sets out measures to prevent the establishment and spread within the Union territory of Meloidogyne graminicola Golden & Birchfield, measures for its eradication, where it is found present in that territory, and measures for its containment, when eradication is no longer possible.
Definitions
For the purposes of this Regulation, the following definitions apply: (1) ‘specified pest’ means Meloidogyne graminicola Golden & Birchfield; (2) ‘specified plants’ means plants for planting with roots of Oryza sativa L., that have been grown in soil; (3) ‘host plants’ means plants for planting with roots that have been grown in soil, of the genera and species listed in Annex I; (4) ‘volunteer host plants’ means host plants which grow on their own in the places of production, without having been intentionally planted; (5) ‘specified seeds’ means seeds of Oryza sativa L.; (6) ‘specified objects’ means machinery, tools, vehicles, and personal equipment, which have been used for activities relating to the planting, treatment or harvesting of the host plants; (7) ‘trap-crop-method’ means the sowing of plants of Oryza sativa L. to stimulate nematode hatching and root invasion, followed by the destruction of the plants, within a phenological phase which maximizes the efficacy of trapping, but not later than five weeks after planting.
Annual surveys of the Union territory outside of demarcated areas
Member States shall conduct risk-based annual surveys for the presence of the specified pest on host plants outside of demarcated areas. They shall be carried out in the areas of their territories, where the specified pest is not known to occur but could become established, prioritising the surveys on the specified plants.
Establishment of demarcated areas
1. Where the presence of the specified pest in the Union territory is officially confirmed, the Member State concerned shall, without delay, establish a demarcated area, on the basis of a delimiting survey determining the level of infestation and for the purpose of eradication of the specified pest. 2. The demarcated area shall consist of the following: (a) an infested zone including: (i) all specified plants and host plants infested by the specified pest; (ii) all specified plants and host plants showing symptoms indicating possible infestation by the specified pest; (iii) all other plants infested or suspected to be infested by the specified pest; (iv) land, soil or other elements infested, or suspected to be infested, by the specified pest; (b) a buffer zone with a width of at least 100 m beyond the boundary of the infested zone, in the case of a demarcated area for the purpose of eradication of the specified pest, as referred to in Article 6, and with the same width in the case of a demarcated area for the purpose of containment of the specified pest, as referred to in Article 7. 3. The competent authorities of the Member State concerned shall ensure that the general public and professional operators are aware of the delimitation of the demarcated areas and the measures adopted for its eradication, or, where relevant, for its containment and preventing its spread out of the demarcated area. They shall raise public awareness concerning the risk from the specified pest. 4. Where, on the basis of the surveys referred to in Article 3, the specified pest is not detected in a demarcated area for a period of three consecutive years, that demarcated area may be abolished. In such cases, the Member State concerned shall notify the Commission and the other Member States that the demarcated area has been abolished pursuant to Article 19(4) of Regulation (EU) 2016/2031.
Annual surveys of the specified pest in demarcated areas
1. In demarcated areas, with the exception of the infested zone of the demarcated areas for the purpose of containing the specified pest, as referred to in Article 7, the competent authorities of the Member State concerned shall carry out intensive annual surveys on the host plants, as referred to in Article 19(1) of Regulation (EU) 2016/2031, in order to monitor the development of the presence of the specified pest. 2. The surveys provided for in paragraph 1 shall consist of visual examinations of host plants, and of sampling of symptomatic host plants as well as, where appropriate, asymptomatic host plants in the proximity of the symptomatic host plants, and, where appropriate, of soil. The root system of sampled plants shall be checked for the presence of galls of the specified pest.
Eradication measures
The competent authorities of the Member State concerned shall apply, in accordance with Article 4, all of the following measures in the demarcated areas: (a) removal of the specified plants in the infested zone in fields close to harvesting; (b) destruction of the specified plants in fields close to harvesting, in situ or in a nearby location designated for this purpose within the infested zone, in a manner ensuring that the specified pest is not spread; (c) prohibition of sowing of the specified seeds and prohibition of planting of the specified plants and host plants in the infested zone, except as trap-crops in application of the trap-crop-method; (d) regular elimination of volunteer host plants; (e) continuous flooding of fields in the infested zone for more than 18 months, and, if continuous flooding is not possible, application of the trap-crop method, or other methods preventing the pest from concluding its life cycle; (f) clearing and safe disposal of specified plants that are used for the trap-crop method within a phenological phase which maximizes the efficacy of trapping, but not later than five weeks after planting; (g) cleaning of specified objects that have been used in an infested zone from soil and plant debris, before being moved to the surrounding fields, while, during cleaning, avoiding residue dispersal out of the infested field; (h) prohibition of movement of soil in which specified plants or host plants have been grown in the previous three years out of the infested zone.
Containment measures
By way of derogation from Article 6, where a demarcated area is listed in Annex II, the competent authorities of the Member State concerned shall apply all of the following measures therein: (a) sowing of specified seeds and planting of specified plants, only if one of the following phytosanitary measures has been carried out: (i) continuous flooding for at least three months since the last harvest; (ii) application of a trap-crop method within a phenological phase which maximizes the efficacy of trapping, followed by destruction of the crop not later than five weeks after planting; (iii) crop rotation with non-host plants or cultivated host plants of the genus Brassica L. or species Allium cepa L., Glycine max (L.) Merr., Hordeum vulgare L., Panicum miliaceum L., Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench and Triticum aestivum L. intended for the production of bulbs, vegetables or grains for final users other than the use as plants for planting; (b) regular elimination of volunteer host plants; (c) cleaning of specified objects, that have been used in the infested zone, from soil and plant debris before being moved to the surrounding fields, while, during the cleaning, avoiding residue dispersal out of the infested field; (d) prohibition of movement, outside of the infested zone, of: (i) soil, in which specified plants or host plants have been grown in the previous three years; (ii) specified plants, other than seeds; (iii) host plants other than cultivated host plants as referred to in subpoint (iii) of point (a); and (iv) specified seeds, other than those free from soil and plant debris.
Reporting obligations of Member States
Member States shall, by 30 April of each year, submit to the Commission and the other Member States the results of the surveys carried out, in the preceding calendar year, pursuant to: (a) Article 3 of this Regulation, using one of the templates set out in Annex I to Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2020/1231 ( 6 ) ; (b) Article 5(1) of this Regulation, using the template set out in Annex III to this Regulation.
Repeal of Implementing Regulation (EU) 2022/1372
Implementing Regulation (EU) 2022/1372 is repealed. References to the repealed Regulation shall be construed as references to this Regulation.
Entry into force
This Regulation shall enter into force on the twentieth day following that of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.
List of host plants referred to in Article 2, point (3)
ANNEX I List of host plants referred to in Article 2, point (3) Abelmoschus esculentus Ageratum conyzoides L. Agrostis stolonifera Alisma plantago-aquatica L. Allium ascalonicum Allium cepa L. Allium fistulosum Allium tuberosum Alopecurus sp. Alternanthera sessilis Amaranthus spinosus Amaranthus viridis Ammannia baccifera Andropogon sp. Beta vulgaris Blumea sp. Bonnaya ciliata Bothriochloa bladhii Brassica juncea Brassica oleracea Capsicum annuum Capsicum frutescens Catharanthus roseus Cenchrus americanus Cenchrus pedicellatus Centella asiatica Colocasia esculenta Commelina benghalensis Corchorus aestuans Corchorus capsularis Coriandrum sativum Cucumis sativus Cyanotis axillaris Cyanotis cucullata Cyanthillium cinereum Cymbopogon citratus Cynodon dactylon Cyperus compressus Cyperus difformis Cyperus esculentus Cyperus imbricatus Cyperus iria Cyperus odoratus Cyperus pilosus Cyperus procerus Cyperus pseudokyllingioides Cyperus pulcherrimus Cyperus rotundus Dactyloctenium aegyptium Desmodium triflorum Digitaria filiformis Digitaria longiflora Digitaria sanguinalis Echinochloa colonum Echinochloa crus-galli Eclipta prostrata Eleusine coracana Eleusine indica Elymus repens Eragrostis racemosa Eragrostis tenella Euphorbia hirta Fimbristylis complanate Fimbristylis dichotoma Fimbristylis littoralis Fimbristylis quinquangularis subsp. quinquangularis Fuirena ciliaris Gamochaeta falcata Gamochaeta purpurea Glycine max Grangea ceruanoides Hedyotis diffusa Heteranthera reniformis Hordeum vulgare Hydrilla sp. Impatiens balsamina Imperata cylindrica Ipomoea aquatica Ischaemum rugosum Juncus microcephalus Kyllinga brevifolia Kyllinga gracillima Lactuca sativa Leersia hexandra Leptochloa chinensis Leucas lavandulifolia Lindernia sp. Lolium multiflorum Ludwigia adscendens Mecardonia procumbens Medicago polyceratia Melilotus albus Murdannia keisak Murdannia nudiflora Musa sp. Oplismenus compositus Oryza sativa Oxalis corniculate Panicum dichotomiflorum Panicum flexuosum Panicum miliaceum Panicum repens Paspalum scrobiculatum Petunia sp. Phaseolus vulgaris Phlox drummondii Phyllanthus niruri Phyllanthus urinaria Physalis minima Pisum sativum Poa annua Pontederia vaginalis Portulaca oleracea Ranunculus sp. Rungia parviflora Saccharum officinarum Sacciolepis indica Schoenoplectiella articulata Scoparia dulcis Setaria italica Sida acuta Solanum lycopersicum Solanum melongena Solanum nigrum Solanum sisymbriifolium Solanum tuberosum Sorghum bicolor Spergula arvensis Spermacoce articularis Sphaeranthus sp. Sphenoclea zeylanica Spinacia oleracea Stellaria media Trifolium repens Triticum aestivum subsp. aestivum Urena lobata Urochloa mutica Urochloa ramose Vandellia sp. Vicia faba Vigna mungo Vigna radiata
List of demarcated areas for the purpose of containment of the specified pest referred to in Article 7
ANNEX II List of demarcated areas for the purpose of containment of the specified pest referred to in Article 7 ITALY Number/Name of Demarcated Area (DA) Zone of DA Region Regional units or other administrative/geographic delimitations 1 Infested zone + buffer zone Piedmont Biella: Castelletto Cervo, Gifflenga, Mottalciata 2 Infested zone + buffer zone Piedmont Vercelli: Buronzo 3 Infested zone + buffer zone Lombardy Pavia: Alagna, Carbonara al Ticino, Cilavegna, Dorno, Gambolò, Garlasco, Gropello Cairoli, Linarolo, Parona, Pavia, Pieve Albignola, Sannazzaro de’ Burgondi, Scaldasole, Sommo, Tromello, Valle Salimbene, Vigevano, Villanova d’Ardenghi, Zerbolò, Zinasco
Template for the reporting of the results of annual surveys carried out pursuant to Article 5, first paragraph
ANNEX III Template for the reporting of the results of annual surveys carried out pursuant to Article 5, first paragraph 1. Description of the Demarcated Area (DA) 2. Initial size of DA (ha) 3. Updated size of DA (ha) 4. Approach (eradication or containment) 5. Zone 6. Survey sites 7. Risk areas identified 8. Risk areas inspected 9. Plant material / Commodity 10. List of host plant species 11. Timing 12. Survey details 13. N o of symptomatic samples analysed: i: Total ii: Positive iii: Negative iv: Undetermined 14. N o of asymptomatic samples analysed: i: Total ii: Positive iii: Negative iv: Undetermined 15. Notification number of the outbreaks notified, as applicable, in accordance with Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/1715 ( 1 ) 16. Comments A: Number of visual examinations B: Total number of samples taken C: Type of traps (or other alternative method (e.g. sweep nets)) D: Number of traps (or other capturing method) E: Number of trapping sites, when different from data reported in (D) F: Type of tests (e.g. microscopic identification, PCR, ELISA) G: Total number of tests H: Other measures (e.g. sniffer dogs, drones, helicopters, awareness raising campaigns) Name Date of establishment Description Number I: Number of other measures Number Date A B C D E F G H I i ii iii iv i ii iii iv ( 1 ) Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/1715 of 30 September 2019 laying down rules for the functioning of the information management system for official controls and its system components (the IMSOC Regulation) ( OJ L 261, 14.10.2019, p. 37 , ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg_impl/2019/1715/oj ). Instructions how to fill in the template For column 1: Indicate the name of the geographical area, outbreak number or any information that allows identification of this demarcated area (DA) and the date when it was established. For column 2: Indicate the size of the DA before the start of the survey. For column 3: Indicate the size of the DA after the survey. For column 4: Indicate the approach: Eradication or Containment. Please, include as many rows as necessary, depending on the number of DA per pest and the approaches these areas are subject to. For column 5: Indicate the zone of the DA where the survey was carried out, including as many rows as necessary: Infected (IZ) or buffer zone (BZ), using separate rows. When applicable, indicate the area of the IZ where the survey was carried out (e.g. last 20 km adjacent to the BZ, around nurseries) in different rows. For column 6: Indicate the number and the description of the survey sites, by choosing one of the following entries for the description: 1. Open air (production area): 1.1. field (arable, pasture); 1.2. orchard/vineyard; 1.3. nursery; 1.4. forest; 2. Open air (other): 2.1. private garden; 2.2. public sites; 2.3. conservation area; 2.4. wild plants in areas other than conservation areas; 2.5. other, with specification of the particular case (e.g. garden centre, commercial sites that uses wood packaging material, wood industry, wetlands, irrigation and drainage network); 3. Physically closed conditions: 3.1. greenhouse; 3.2. private site, other than greenhouse; 3.3. public site, other than greenhouse; 3.4. other, with specification of the particular case (e.g. garden centre, commercial sites that uses wood packaging material, wood industry). For column 7: Indicate, which are the risk areas identified based on the biology of the pest(s), presence of host plants, eco-climatic conditions and risk locations. For column 8: Indicate the risk areas included in the survey, from those identified in column 7. For column 9: Indicate plants, fruits, seeds, soil, packaging material, wood, machinery, vehicles, water, other, specifying the specific case. For column 10: Indicate the list of plant species/genera surveyed using one row per plant species/genera. For column 11: Indicate the months of the year when the survey was carried out. For column 12: Indicate the details of the survey, depending on the specific legal requirements of each pest. Indicate with N/A when the information of certain column is not applicable. For columns 13 and 14: Indicate the results, if applicable, providing the information available in the corresponding columns. ‘Undetermined’ are those analysed samples for which no result was obtained due to different factors (e.g. below detection level, unprocessed sample-not identified, old). For column 15: Indicate the outbreak notifications of the year when the survey took place for findings in the BZ. The outbreak notification number does not need to be included when the competent authority has decided that the finding is one of the cases referred to in Article 14(2), Article 15(2) or Article 16 of Regulation (EU) 2016/2031. In this case, indicate the reason for not providing this information in column 16 (‘Comments’).
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