• This Quickscan was prompted by the report of a finding of Tobravirus capsici (Pepper ringspot virus, PepRSV) in Solanum tuberosum (potato) in South Africa. 

• PepRSV is not known to be present in the EU. It can infect and cause symptoms in a wide range of plant species belonging to different plant families. 

• PepRSV could potentially enter the EU by import of infected plants for planting. 

• PepRSV can likely establish in the EU but there is uncertainty about the nematode species that can transmit the virus. 

• There is uncertainty whether introduction of PepRSV will increase the impact of tobraviruses in the EU because TRV is widely present in for example potato. Potato cultivars can differ in resistance to or tolerance for infection by TRV and cultivars that are resistant to or tolerant for TRV might be susceptible to or sensitive for PepRSV. Additional impact may also occur if PepRSV has other hosts than TRV that are grown in soil. Helianthus annuus has for example not been reported as host of TRV.