Statement on a study proposal prepared by the US to support a future derogation request from the EU import requirements for wood packaging material originating in the US and used to pack and transport military ammunition

Following  a  request  from  the  European  Commission, the  EFSA  Panel  on  Plant  Health  was  asked  to deliver a statement on a study proposal prepared by the US to support a future derogation request from the  Community  import  requirements  for  wood  packaging  material  (WPM)  originating  in  the  US  and  used to pack and transport military ammunition. 

The  Panel  reviewed  the  submitted  study  proposal and  based  its  conclusions  on  the  shortcomings  identified in the study proposal. It  was  concluded  that,  due  to  these  shortcomings,  the  evaluation  of  the  methodological  approach  described in this study proposal with regard to: 

1.the determination of the likelihood that live pinewood nematode (Bursaphelenchus xylophilus) and other harmful organisms relevant for the Community are present in the WPM used by the US   Department   of   Defense   to   pack   and   transport   military   ammunition   (Pest   survey   component), 

2.the   assessment   of   the   likelihood   that   harmful organisms   may   be   introduced   into   the   Community through the WPM pathway (Pathway Risk Analysis component) cannot be conducted