PURPOSE: to replace existing legislation on the control of potato cyst nematodes in order to determine their distribution, to prevent their spread and to control them.
LEGISLATIVE ACT: Council Directive 2007/33/EC on the control of potato cyst nematodes and repealing Directive 69/465/EEC.
CONTENT: since the adoption of Council Directive 69/465/EEC of 8 December 1969 on control of Potato Cyst Eelworm there have been significant developments in the nomenclature, biology and epidemiology of potato cyst nematode species and populations and their distribution pattern.
Potato cyst nematodes (Globodera pallida (Stone) Behrens (European populations) and Globodera rostochiensis (Wollenweber) Behrens (European populations)) are recognised as harmful organisms of potatoes. The provisions of Directive 69/465/EEC have been re-examined and, as a result of this re-examination, have been found insufficient. Therefore, the adoption of more comprehensive provisions is necessary.
The new provisions shall take into account that official investigations are necessary to ensure that no potato cyst nematodes are found in fields in which seed potatoes intended for the production of seed potatoes, and certain plants intended for the production of plants for planting, are held or planted.
Official surveys should be carried out annually on fields used for the production of potatoes other than those used for the production of seed potatoes. Sampling and testing procedures should be set out for conducting such official investigations and surveys. Account should be taken of the means of spread of the pathogen. Decontamination measures are also provided for.
It should be noted that this Regulation stipulates that Member States may adopt in relation to their own production such additional or stricter measures as may be required to control potato cyst nematodes or to prevent them spreading in so far as they are in compliance with Directive 2000/29/EC. Those measures shall be notified in writing to the Commission and to the other Member States.
Member States shall adopt and publish by 30 June 2010 at the latest the laws, regulations and administrative provisions necessary to comply with this Directive. They shall forthwith communicate to the Commission the text of those provisions and a correlation table between those provisions and this Directive.
They shall apply those provisions from 1 July 2010.
When Member States adopt those provisions, they shall contain a reference to this Directive or be accompanied by such a reference on the occasion of their official publication. The methods of making such reference shall be laid down by Member States.
Directive 69/465/EEC is repealed with effect from 1 July 2010.
ENTRY INTO FORCE: 01/07/2007.