Rhynchophorus ferrugineus (Olivier) causes severe damage to plants of host species belonging to the Palmae family with the exception of plants with a diameter of the stem at the base of less than 5 cm.

Those plants are present in many parts of the Union where they are planted in large numbers for ornamental purposes and are of high environmental and economic importance.

It is therefore appropriate to set out specific requirements to ensure the quality of the propagating material of certain genera and species of Palmae, which are most commonly marketed in the Union and which are at risk of being infested by that harmful organism if such requirements are not fulfilled. Those requirements should include specific growing conditions or treatment of that material, as well as the condition of being free of Rhynchophorus ferrugineus (Olivier).

The measures provided for in this Directive are in accordance with the opinion of the Standing Committee on Plants, Animal, Food and Feed,