Review of Current Information Regarding the Phytosanitary Risks of Phytophthora ramorum and North American Conifers

On March 3, 2007 the North American Plant Protection Organization (NAPPO) sponsored a ?Risks to Conifers? discussion panel to review the state of scientific knowledge regarding Phytophthora ramorum Werres, De Cock & Man in 't Veld and conifers and the potential for the pathogen to be transported with conifer forest products moving in international trade. This panel took place during the third Sudden Oak Death Science Symposium organized by the USDA Forest Service Pacific Southwest Research Station, and the California Oak Mortality Task Force (COMTF) in Santa Rosa, California. It was attended by over 100 participants, including researchers and forest managers from the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Belgium, the United States, and Canada. A number of reviews were presented by leading scientists in the field of P. ramorum, followed by a general discussion on the gaps in scientific knowledge. A list of presenters and the titles of their talks is available at:http://nature.berkeley.edu/comtf/sodsymposium/schedule_sections.htm#risktoconifers