2000/325/EC: Commission Decision of 11 May 2000 authorising Member States to take measures provisionally against the introduction into, and the spread within the Community of Pepino mosaic virus as regards tomato plants, intended for planting, other than seeds (notified under document number C(2000) 1312)

• Articles: 7

Article 1

The introduction into and spread within the Community of Pepino mosaic virus, as regards tomato plants, intended for planting, other than seeds, shall be banned until 30 April 2001.

Article 2

Plants of tomato, Lycopersicon lycopersicum (L.) Karsten ex Farw., intended for planting, other than seeds, originating in third countries, as regards their introduction into the Community, shall be inspected for the presence of Pepino mosaic virus, according to the provisions laid down in Article 12(1)(a) of Directive 77/93/EEC by the responsible official bodies referred to in the said Directive, until 30 April 2001.

Article 3

Plants of tomato, Lycopersicon lycopersicum (L.) Karsten ex Farw., intended for planting, other than seeds, other than those for which there shall be evidence by their packaging or by other means that they are ready for sale to the final consumer not involved in professional plant production shall, until 30 April 2001, meet at least the conditions laid down in the Annex, if the plants are moved within the Community.

Article 4

Member States shall conduct official surveys at least on premises involved in production of tomato plants and tomato fruit, for the presence or continued absence of Pepino mosaic virus.

Without prejudice to the provisions of Article 15(2) of Directive 77/93/EEC, the results of the surveys provided for in the first paragraph shall be notified to the Commission and to the other Member States by 31 January 2001.

Article 5

This Decision shall be reviewed by 28 February 2001 at the latest.

Article 6

This Decision is addressed to the Member States.

Done at Brussels, 11 May 2000.

For the Commission

David Byrne

Member of the Commission

(1) OJ L 26, 31.1.1977, p. 20.

(2) OJ L 142, 5.6.1999, p. 29.

Schedules & Appendices

ANNEX

For the purpose of Article 3, the following shall be complied with:

Plants of tomato, Lycopersicon lycopersicum (L.) Karsten ex Farw., intended for planting, other than seeds, other than those for which there shall be evidence by their packaging or by other means that they are ready for sale to the final consumer not involved in professional plant production, may be moved from the place of production only:

- if no symptoms of Pepino mosaic virus have been found at the place of production during inspections carried out at least once during the period the plants have been present at the place of production. In cases where Pepino mosaic virus has been found at the place of production, after appropriate procedures have been implemented aiming at eradicating Pepino mosaic virus, and subsequently this place of production has been found free from Pepino mosaic virus in official inspections including random testing, and monitoring during an appropriate period,

or

- if no Pepino mosaic virus has been found by testing of leaf samples taken from plants, produced, grown or held at the place of production, at least once during a period of four weeks. In cases where Pepino mosaic virus has been found at the place of production, after additional testing of each lot, and subsequently the lots have been found free from Pepino mosaic virus in this testing.