Chairman: Mr. Vereecke
D/510680

All MS present, except Spain on 15.7 and Malta on 14 and 15.7, with BG as observer

1. PRESENTATION AND DISCUSSION ON THE RESULTS OF OFFICIAL SURVEYS FOR POTATO RING ROT AND POTATO BROWN ROT RESPECTIVELY, CARRIED OUT BY MS FOR THE 2004 GROWING SEASON
   
   The Commission (SANCO F.4) presented a synthesis of the results of the official surveys carried out by MS with regards to potato ring rot and potato brown rot conducted on tubers of potatoes harvested in 2004, originating in their countries, in application of Council Directives 93/85/EEC (control of ring rot) and 98/57/EC (control of brown rot) respectively. Additional information was supplied by MS on the outbreaks in their respective countries.
   
   Seen in the EU as a whole, the situation of ring rot has not dramatically changed since last year. However, the overall incidence of brown rot in the EU as a whole has been steadily dropping and is now the lowest in 10 years.
    
2. FURTHER DISCUSSION ON DRAFT COMMISSION DIRECTIVE AMENDING THE ANNEXES TO COUNCIL DIRECTIVE 93/85/EEC ON THE CONTROL OF POTATO RING ROT AND ON DRAFT COMMISSION DIRECTIVE AMENDING ANNEXES II TO VI TO COUNCIL DIRECTIVE 98/57/EC ON THE CONTROL OF RALSTONIA SOLANACEARUM (SMITH) YABUUCHI ET AL.
   
   Discussion continued on revised draft Commission Directives amending the Annexes to Directive 93/85/EEC and Directive 98/57/EC. These drafts result from the work of three different Working Groups which focused respectively on the Annexes concerning the detection and diagnosis of the two diseases, the measures in the field to control the diseases and the waste disposal measures. MS made some comments on the drafts. The Committee achieved more or less a final discussion on the draft texts, as well as on the date of implementation, which will be set in such a way that it will enable MS to transpose the texts timely. At one of the forthcoming meetings of the SCPH, a possible opinion will be sought.
    
3. DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE OPINION ON DRAFT COMMISSION DECISION AMENDING DECISION 2003/63/EC AUTHORISING MEMBER STATES TO PROVIDE FOR TEMPORARY DEROGATIONS FROM COUNCIL DIRECTIVE 2000/29/EC IN RESPECT OF POTATOES, OTHER THAN POTATOES INTENDED FOR PLANTING, ORIGINATING IN CERTAIN PROVINCES OF CUBA
   
   The Commission Services (SANCO E.1) introduced a draft proposal for a three year extension of an existing derogation permitting the import of ware potatoes from Cuba (Commission Decision 2003/63/EC). A Cuban report on potato production was also introduced by the Commission Services. The import period is situated between 1 January and 31 May of each calendar year in which importation is granted by the Decision.
   
   Vote: favourable opinion by unanimity.
    
4. FURTHER DISCUSSION ON REQUEST OF PORTUGAL FOR A RENEWAL OF COMMISSION DECISION 2003/61/EC ALLOWING, UNDER DEROGATION, THE IMPORT OF SEED POTATOES, ORIGINATING IN CERTAIN PROVINCES OF CANADA
   
   The Commission Services (SANCO E.1) introduced a draft proposal for a three year extension of the existing derogation permitting the import of seed potatoes from Canada into Portugal, Spain, Italy and Greece (Commission Decision 2003/61/EC). This draft proposed adding Malta and Cyprus (but not Slovenia) to the list of countries eligible to import the seed potatoes in question. A Portuguese report on imports over the last season was noted by the Committee. All imported consignments complied with the EU plant health requirements.
   
   The Commission Services (SANCO E.1) also introduced the Technical progress report 2004 from Canada on seed potato production and the Canadian request for renewal of the seed potato derogation, including a request to extend the list of Provinces eligible to export seed potatoes to the EU as well as the list of eligible varieties.
   
   A number of Member States expressed support for the extension of the existing derogation but indicated that an extension to other Provinces and varieties would require more detailed information, amongst others on a number of elements in the report such as the method and level of testing in Canada.
   
   The Commission (SANCO E.1) indicated that it intended to submit the draft decision extending the current derogation to the vote at the September meeting. The request for an extension of Provinces and varieties will be returned to a future meeting.
    
5. DISCUSSION ON DRAFT COMMISSION DECISION AMENDING DECISION 2002/499/EC AUTHORISING DEROGATIONS FROM CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF COUNCIL DIRECTIVE 2000/29/EC IN RESPECT OF NATURALLY OR ARTIFICIALLY DWARFED PLANTS OF CHAMAECYPARIS SPACH, JUNIPERUS L. AND PINUS L., ORIGINATING IN THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA
   
   The Commission Services (SANCO E.1) introduced a draft Commission Decision for a three year extension of the current derogation permitting the import of bonsai plants from the Republic of Korea. The committee expressed its support; the Commission will present the draft text for further discussion and possible vote in September.
   
   A Member State raised the issue of similar material which did not meet the necessary requirements at the point of import into the EU. The Commission Services indicated that action should be taken against such material according to the provisions of Article 13c 7 of Council Directive 2000/29/EC.
    
6. DISCUSSION ON DRAFT COMMISSION DIRECTIVE AMENDING ANNEX V TO COUNCIL DIRECTIVE 2000/29/EC ON PROTECTIVE MEASURES AGAINST THE INTRODUCTION INTO THE COMMUNITY OF ORGANISMS HARMFUL TO PLANTS OR PLANT PRODUCTS AND AGAINST THEIR SPREAD WITHIN THE COMMUNITY (PLANT PASSPORT FOR STANDARD SEED OF TOMATOES, SUNFLOWERS AND BEANS)
   
   In March 2005, the Commission adopted new measures requiring the use of a plant passport for movements of certified seed of Helianthus annuus, Lycopersicon lycopersicum and Phaseolus, within the Community, other than locally.
   
   The above requirement has now also been extended to standard seed of the above plants with a view to improve their phytosanitary protection. The new measures on standard seed would enter into force on 1 May 2006.
    
7. DISCUSSION ON DRAFT COMMISSION DECISION ON A COMMUNITY FINANCIAL CONTRIBUTION FOR 2005 TO COVER EXPENDITURE INCURRED BY BELGIUM, FRANCE AND THE NETHERLANDS FOR THE PURPOSE OF COMBATING ORGANISMS HARMFUL TO PLANTS AND PLANT PRODUCTS
   
   Following the presentation of the report of the working group “Examination of solidarity dossiers” at the last SCPH, the Commission (SANCO E.1) presented a draft Commission Decision on a Community financial contribution for 2005 to cover expenditure incurred by Belgium, France and The Netherlands for the purpose of combating organisms harmful to plants and plant products. This draft Decision will be re-presented at the next SCPH for possible opinion.
    
8. REPORT OF FOLLOW-UP MISSION TO BULGARIA BY SANCO F4 (FVO)
   
   The Commission (SANCO F.4) presented a report of a follow-up mission to Bulgaria in order to evaluate the progress made with regards to verifying the freedom from potato ring rot. The Committee welcomed the report, in particular the actions taken by Bulgaria as regards the recommendations made by the Commission (SANCO F.4) at the occasion of an earlier mission in March 2004. Based on the results of additional surveys for ring rot it was recommended that Bulgaria would be recognised as being free from potato ring rot. The Committee agreed with a suggestion of the Commission (SANCO E.1) to prepare the required legal act to this effect.
    
9. STATE OF PLAY ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE MEMORANDUM BETWEEN THE EC AND THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION CONCERNING PHYTOSANITARY CERTIFICATION.
   
   The Memorandum between the EC and the Russian Federation concerning phytosanitary certification entered into force on 1 July 2005 as originally scheduled. The Committee was informed that all MS have specimen of their new certificates, which were transmitted to Russia. Some MS mentioned some last minute problems with the implementation of the above Memorandum.
    
10. MISCELLANEOUS
    UK informed the Committee on an upcoming Conference on Phytophthora ramorum and other forest pests organised by EPPO in cooperation with the NPPO of the UK.

Bernard Van Goethem
Acting Director

NB: The measures on which the Committee has given an opinion are subject to the appropriate procedure for final approval by the Commission.

Original of this report in PDF format: http://europa.eu.int/comm/food/fs/rc/scph/rap83_en.pdf