Suchergebnisse

A detailed understanding of herd types is needed for animal disease control and surveillance activities, to inform epidemiological study design and interpretation, and to guide effective policy decision-making. In this paper, we present a new approach to classify herd types in livestock systems by combining expert knowledge and a machine-learning algorithm called self-organising-maps (SOMs). This approach is applied to the cattle sector in Ireland, where a detailed understanding of herd types can assist with on-going discussions on control and surveillance for endemic cattle diseases. To our knowledge, this is the first time that the SOM algorithm has been used to differentiate livestock systems. In compliance with European Union (EU) requirements, relevant data in the Irish livestock register includes the birth, movements and disposal of each individual bovine, and also the sex and breed of each bovine and its dam. In total, 17 herd types were identified in Ireland using 9 variables. We provide a data-driven classification tree using decisions derived from the Irish livestock registration data. Because of the visual capabilities of the SOM algorithm, the interpretation of results is relatively straightforward and we believe our approach, with adaptation, can be used to classify herd type in any other livestock system. ; Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine ; Projekt DEAL

A mandatory national Irish bovine viral diarrhoea (BVD) eradication programme, coordinated by Animal Health Ireland, commenced in 2013. Key decisions and programme review are undertaken by a cross-industry Implementation Group (BVDIG) supported by a Technical Working Group. Ear notch tissue is collected from all new-born calves using modified official identity tags, supplemented by additional blood sampling, including for confirmatory testing of calves with initial positive results and testing of their dams. Testing is delivered by private laboratories in conjunction with the National Reference Laboratory, with all results reported to a central database. This database manages key elements of the programme, issuing results to herdowners by short message service messaging supplemented by letters; assigning and exchanging animal-level statuses with government databases of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine to enable legislated restrictions on animal movements; assigning negative herd status based on test results; generating regular reports for programme management and evaluation and providing herd-specific dashboards for a range of users. Legislation supporting the programme has been in place throughout but has not thus far mandated the slaughter of persistently infected (PI) calves. A key challenge in the early years, highlighted by modeling, was the retention of PI animals by some herd owners. This has largely been resolved by measures including graduated financial supports to encourage their early removal, herd-level movement restrictions, ongoing programme communications and the input of private veterinary practitioners (PVPs). A framework for funded investigations by PVPs in positive herds was developed to identify plausible sources of infection, to resolve the status of all animals in the herd and to agree up to three measures to prevent re-introduction of the virus. The prevalence of PI calves in 2013 was 0.66%, within 11.3% of herds, reducing in each subsequent year, to 0.03 and 0.55%, ...

The EFSA Panel on Plant Health performed a pest categorisation of Exomala orientalis (Coleoptera: Rutelidae) (Oriental beetle) for the EU. Larvae feed on the roots of a variety of hosts including most grasses and many vegetable crops. Maize, pineapples, sugarcane are among the main host plants. Larvae are particularly damaging to turfgrass and golf courses. The adults feed on flowers and other soft plant tissues (e.g. Alcea rosea, Dahlia, Iris, Phlox and Rosa). Eggs are laid in the soil. Larvae feed on host roots and overwinter in the soil. Adults emerge from pupae in the soil in May-June and are present for about 2 months. E. orientalis usually completes its life cycle in 1 year although individuals can spend two winters as larvae. Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/2072 (Annex IIA) regulates E. orientalis. The legislation also regulates the import of soil attached to plants for planting from third countries; therefore, entry of E. orientalis eggs, larvae and pupae is prevented. E. orientalis is native to Japan or the Philippine islands. It is also found in East Asia and India, Hawaii and northeastern USA. It is assumed to have reached USA via infested nursery stock. Plants for planting (excluding seeds) and cut flowers provide potential pathways for entry into the EU. E. orientalis has been intercepted only once in the EU, on Ilex crenata bonsai. Climatic conditions and the availability of host plants provide conditions to support establishment in the EU. Impacts on maize, grassland and turfgrass would be possible. There is uncertainty on the extent of the impact on host plants which are widely commercially grown (e.g. maize) Phytosanitary measures are available to reduce the likelihood of entry. E. orientalis satisfies the criteria that are within the remit of EFSA to assess for it to be regarded as a potential Union quarantine pest. Of the criteria that are within the remit of EFSA to assess for it to be regarded as a potential Union regulated non-quarantine pest, E. orientalis does not meet the criterion of occurring in the EU.

The Panel on Plant Health performed a pest categorisation of non-EU Acleris spp. Acleris is a welldefined insect genus in the family Tortricidae (Insecta: Lepidoptera). Species can be identified using taxonomic keys based on adult morphology and genitalia. The genus includes 261 species attacking conifers and non-conifer plants in many areas in the world, among which 40 species are present in the EU. The non-EU species are collectively listed in Annex IAI of Council Directive 2000/29/EC as Acleris spp. (non-European). Some species are important defoliators in North America, mainly on conifers but also on several broadleaf trees. Females lay eggs on the leaves or on the bark. The larvae bind together with silk the leaves upon which they feed. Pupation occurs in leaves attached with silk or in the soil. Some species are univoltine; others are bivoltine or multivoltine. Flight capacity is not documented, but outbreak expansion suggests that the adults can probably fly long distances. The main pathways for entry are host plants for planting with or without soil, cut branches, fruits of host plants (including cones), round wood with bark and bark. The presence of host plants and suitable EU climate would allow the establishment of the known non-EU harmful species. In the literature, nine non-EU Acleris species are reported as pests on various host plants, namely A. gloverana, A. variana, A. minuta, A. nishidai, A. issikii, A. semipurpurana, A. robinsoniana, A. senescens and A. nivisellana. These non-EU Acleris spp. satisfy all the criteria to be considered as Union quarantine pests. Concerning the other 212 non-EU Acleris species, there is scarce information on host plants, pests status and climatic suitability. Measures are in place to prevent the introduction of non-EU Acleris spp. through the pathways described in the document. As non-EU Acleris spp. are not present in the EU and plants for planting are not the major pathway for spread, non-EU Acleris spp. do not meet the criteria to be considered as regulated non-quarantine pests.

The European Commission requested EFSA to conduct a pest categorisation of Grapholita prunivora (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae), an oligophagous moth whose larvae feed mostly on leaves and fruit of different Rosaceae including cultivated apples, plums, cherries and pecans. It overwinters in soil and bark crevices of its host plants. G. prunivora has reliable identification methods, both for adults and immature stages. It occurs in North America, where it can impact pome and stone fruit production, especially when broad spectrum insecticides targeting pome and stone fruit key pests are substituted by more selective crop protection methods (i.e. mating disruption, biological control). G. prunivora is regulated in the EU by EU Directive 2000/29/EC where it is listed in Annex IIAI using the synonym Enarmonia prunivora. Plants for planting, fruit, cut branches, and bark are potential pathways. Most, but not all hosts are regulated, e.g. pecan (Carya sp.). There are no records of interception of this species on Europhyt. Biotic and abiotic conditions are conducive for establishment and spread of G. prunivora in the EU. Therefore, were G. prunivora to establish, impact on pome and stone fruit production could be expected. Considering the criteria within the remit of EFSA to assess its regulatory plant health status, G. prunivora meets with no uncertainties the criteria for consideration as a potential Union quarantine pest (it is absent from the EU, potential pathways exist, and its establishment would cause an economic impact). Given that G. prunivora is not known to occur in the EU, it fails to meet this criterion required for regulated non-quarantine pest (RNQP) status.