(1)

Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2018/2019 (2) establishes, on the basis of a preliminary risk assessment, a list of high risk plants, plant products and other objects.

(2)

Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2018/2018 (3) lays down specific rules concerning the procedure to be followed in order to carry out the risk assessment referred to in Article 42(4) of Regulation (EU) 2016/2031 for high risk plants, plant products and other objects.

(3)

Following a preliminary risk assessment, 34 genera and one species of plants for planting originating from all third countries were included in the Annex to Implementing Regulation (EU) 2018/2019 as high risk plants, amongst which the genus Corylus L.

(4)

On 29 May 2020, Serbia submitted to the Commission a request for export to the Union of one- to three-year-old bare-rooted plants for planting of Corylus avellana L. and Corylus avellana L. grafted on Corylus colurna L., and two-year-old plants for planting of Corylus avellana L. with growing medium, which are dormant and free of leaves. That request was supported by the respective technical dossier.

(5)

On 25 March 2021, the European Food Safety Authority (‘the Authority’) adopted a scientific opinion regarding the commodity risk assessment of Corylus avellana and Corylus colurna plants for planting from Serbia (4). The Authority identified Grapevine flavescence dorée phytoplasma as a pest relevant for those plants for planting. This pest is listed in Part B, section F, of Annex II to Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/2072 (5), as a Union quarantine pest known to occur in the Union territory.

(6)

Based on that opinion, the Commission considers that the phytosanitary risk of the introduction into the Union of plants for planting of Corylus avellana L. and Corylus colurna L. originating in Serbia, is acceptable, provided that the respective special import requirements set out in Annex VII to Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/2072 are complied with. This consideration applies to all plants for planting of those species, regardless of their age or whether they are bare-rooted, dormant or free of leaves.

(7)

As a consequence, those plants for planting should no longer be considered high risk plants. The Annex to Implementing Regulation (EU) 2018/2019 should therefore be amended accordingly.

(8)

In order to comply with the Union obligations deriving from the World Trade Organization agreement on the application of sanitary and phytosanitary measures (6), the import of those commodities should resume within the shortest possible delay. Therefore, this Regulation should enter into force on the third day following that of its publication.

(9)

The measures provided for in this Regulation are in accordance with the opinion of the Standing Committee for Plants, Animals, Food and Feed,