EPPO Expert Working Group for drafting a PM 3 Standard on Post-entry quarantine for Vitis (Paris, 2025-11-4/6)

An Expert Working Group (EWG) met at the EPPO headquarters in November 2025 to develop a PM 3 Standard on Post-entry Quarantine for Vitis. This Standard aims to provide recommendations for inspection and testing methods to detect pests that infect grapevine (Vitis spp.) plants imported under post-entry quarantine. It also outlines procedures for administering the quarantine process. Additionally, the Standard describes confinement measures, growing conditions, and sanitation practices applicable to grapevines.

Photo of the Expert Working Group

The EWG was facilitated by EPPO Scientific Officers Mr Camille Picard and Ms Charlotte Trontin. The EWG included six experts from four countries: France, Italy, Switzerland, Tunisia. Additionally, experts from three other countries (Canada, Germany, and New Zealand) contributed to the preparation of the initial draft. The group comprised experts working at post-entry quarantine stations, experts involved in diagnostics for grapevine pathogens (particularly phytoplasmas, other bacteria, viruses), as well as experts in inspection, certification of plant reproductive material, heat treatment and in-vitro grapevine sanitation.

The identification of experts was supported by collaboration with the International Organisation of Vine and Wine (OIV), with some participants also being members of the OIV Vine Protection and Viticultural Techniques (PROTEC) Expert Group.

The draft Standard will be finalized after the meeting and reviewed by the EPPO Panel on Phytosanitary Measures in March 2026, followed by review by the EPPO Working Party on Phytosanitary Regulations.

Composition of the Expert Working Group