[PRA conducted because of a application on the movement and use of the organism for research and breeding purposes.]

So far, the fungus Magnaporthe oryzae is not present in Germany but it already occurs in other EU-Member States. It is listed neither in the annexes of Directive 2000/29/EG nor by the EPPO. M. oryzae has a considerable damage potential for rice, barley, wheat, lolium and other weeds. Presumably, M. oryzae will not be able to establish outdoors in Germany due to unsuitable climate conditions but the spread to southern EU-Member States is possible. Thus, M. oryzae is not classified as a quarantine pest and § 4a of the Plant Inspection Order does not apply. It is a dangerous pathogen and thus, measures for the prevention of the release of this fungus should be recommended, including the use of good laboratory practice and the inactivation of the pathogen after the completion of the trials.