SHORT REPORT OF THE MEETING OF THE STANDING COMMITTEE ON PLANT HEALTH (SCPH) HELD ON OCTOBER 2004 [09/04]

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1 SHORT REPORT OF THE MEETING OF THE STANDING COMMITTEE ON PLANT HEALTH (SCPH) HELD ON OCTOBER 2004 [09/04] Chairman: Mr. Flüh for point 0, Mr. Vereecke for the other points. All MS present except LU. COMMISSION DECISION AMENDING DECISION 2002/887/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 JAPAN. This Decision would extend Commission Decision 2002/887/EC allowing for the import, under strict phytosanitary conditions, of naturally or artificially dwarfed plants of Chamaecyparis Spach., Juniperus L. and Pinus L. Vote: favourable opinion by unanimity. Certain Member States (MS) pointed out that similar imports from certain third countries posed problems because of the findings of nematodes in the soil associated with these plants. The Commission requested further information in order to prepare a letter to the appropriate authorities. 2. COMMISSION DECISION AMENDING DECISION 2004/4/EC BY RENEWING THE MEMBER STATES AUTHORISATION TO TAKE EMERGENCY MEASURES AGAINST THE DISSEMINATION OF PSEUDOMONAS SOLANACEARUM (SMITH) SMITH AS REGARDS EGYPT. This Decision, amending Commission Decision 2004/4/EC, would allow the import of ware potatoes which originate in Egypt from certain pest free areas for the next import season in 2005, under strict phytosanitary conditions. The text is based on information submitted by Egypt on stringent measures which were taken against producers, exporters and packing stations who violate Egyptian instructions on the export of potatoes destined for the Community and taking into account the additional measures with regard to the identification of pest free areas, the reduction of the period of validity of the Phytosanitary Certificate, an increase of the number of inspectors, stricter rules on the labelling of bags and stringent rules on companies exporting to the Community. Vote: favourable opinion by unanimity

2 3. COMMISSION DECISION AUTHORISING MEMBER STATES TEMPORARILY TO PROVIDE FOR A DEROGATION FROM CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF COUNCIL DIRECTIVE 2000/29/EC IN RESPECT OF THE IMPORTATION OF SOIL ORIGINATING IN AUSTRALIA. This Decision would allow the import of a small quantity of Australian soil to be spread on the grave of an Australian national buried in Belgium. Vote: favourable opinion by unanimity. MS requested that if similar requests arose then consideration be given to making a permanent derogation which could be applied by the MS. 4. REPORT ON WORKING GROUP MEETING EXAMINATION OF INFRASTRUCTURE DOSSIERS HELD ON The Commission (SANCO E.) presented the report of the Working group Examination of infrastructure dossiers held in June 2004, with a view of the examination of 3 dossiers submitted by MS in support of their requests for allocation of a Community financial contribution for strengthening inspection infrastructures, for plant health checks on plants and plant products at the points of entry into the Community, pursuant to Article 3 c(5) of Directive 2000/29/EC. In accordance with Commission Regulation (EC) No 998/2002, the dossiers contained information and details on the expected expenditures to incur for various equipments and facilities, with a view to strengthen inspection infrastructures. The said report provided recommendations for each of the dossiers, on: - the eligibility of MS claims for the allocation of a Community financial contribution, - the completeness and reliability of information/documentation provided by the applicant MS, - the eligibility and amount of expenditures to be incurred for purchasing equipments and infrastructures. MS made various comments on this presentation. The Commission will present a draft Decision on a Community financial contribution for inspections infrastructures in these MS for discussion in the next meeting of the SCPH. Commission Regulation (EC) No 998/2002 of June 2002 establishing detailed rules for the implementation of the provisions relating to the allocation of a Community financial contribution for Member States in order to strengthen inspection infrastructures for plant health checks on plants and plant products coming from third countries 2

3 5. POSEIDOM - PRESENTATION AND DISCUSSION ON THE 2003 APPLICATION OF THE PROGRAMME OF ACTIONS IN THE PHYTOSANITARY FIELD F presented the report of the actions carried out under programme POSEIDOM, phytosanitary sector, for the year Like in 2002, particular attention has been given to pest risk analysis (PRA) for harmful organisms specific to the POSEIDOM regions, leading to a realization of a large series of PRA s. Thematic actions initiated in the previous years, like control of organisms harmful to plants and diagnostic and monitoring of phytosanitary risks, have also been continued. Given technical and financial problems Guadeloupe was not able to realize its own actions. - PRESENTATION AND DISCUSSION ON THE PROGRAMME OF ACTIONS FOR THE PHYTOSANITARY SECTOR FOR F presented a programme of actions for the phytosanitary sector for In this programme, like in 2002 and 2003, particular attention will be given to pest risk analysis programmes specific to the POSEIDOM regions, in this case for invasive pests. A horizontal action of detection methods for viroids will also be set up. Thematic actions initiated in the previous years, like control of organisms harmful to plants and diagnostic and monitoring of phytosanitary risks, will also be continued. - PRESENTATION AND DISCUSSION ON DRAFT COMMISSION DECISION ON THE COMMUNITY S FINANCIAL CONTRIBUTION TO A PROGRAMME FOR THE CONTROL OF ORGANISMS HARMFUL TO PLANTS AND PLANT PRODUCTS IN THE FRENCH OVERSEAS DEPARTMENTS FOR Following the presentation by F of its programme, the Commission (SANCO E.) presented a draft Decision establishing the Community s financial contribution to cover expenditure incurred by F for programmes set up in Martinique and Guyana for 2004, covering amongst others, an horizontal programme for pest risk analysis for invasive pests specific to the POSEIDOM regions, detection methods for viroids, activities for the control of organisms harmful to plants and for the diagnostic and monitoring of phytosanitary risks. Discussion took place on this draft Decision. This document will be re-presented at the next meeting of the SCPH for discussion and possible opinion. 6. PRESENTATION OF GUIDELINES FOR AN IMPROVED USE OF THE INFORMATION SYSTEM CIRCA. The Commission (SANCO E.) exchanged views with the MS about the current functioning of the CIRCA information system. MS reiterated their satisfaction as 3

4 regards the electronic distribution of documents useful for the SCPH. They also asked various questions and made comments in a view to improve the efficacy of the system. The Commission will reflect on possible guidelines for CIRCA taking into account these comments. 7. DISCUSSION ON REQUEST MADE BY CHILE AS REGARDS THE COMMUNITY PROVISIONS FOR SUNFLOWER. The Commission (SANCO E) introduced the request from the Chilean Authorities to the EU for a possible future export of certified sunflower seed towards the EU under derogation to the existing requirements laid down in Annex IV to Council Directive 2000/29/EC. MS pointed out that more background information is needed. Discussion will continue in one of the forthcoming meetings of the SCPH. 8. PRESENTATION OF FVO REPORT ON MISSION TO ITALY TO EVALUATE THE PROTECTED ZONE STATUS FOR CITRUS TRISTEZA VIRUS (CTV) The Commission (SANCO E) presented orally the main conclusions of a mission carried out in Italy as regards the CTV situation of citrus and the compatibility with the status of protected zone for this disease. The mission analysed the situation in three regions in Italy with important citrus production and where CTV outbreaks had been notified. The phytosanitary situation, yearly survey, the use of plant passports and the implementation of control measures were examined. A written FVO report will be finalised taking into account the comments from Italy. 9. DISCUSSION ON MODIFICATIONS OF LIST OF PROTECTED ZONES AS A RESULT OF REQUESTS MADE BY: - UK FOR DENDROCTONUS MICANS - DK FOR RHIZOMANIA - IT FOR CITRUS TRISTEZA VIRUS. UK, DK and IT commented on their individual request introduced to the Commission repealing the protected zone status for, respectively, Dentroctonus micans, Rhizomania and CTV. The Committee accepted their requests and the Commission will introduce the appropriate legislative proposals in one of the forthcoming meetings of the SCPH. 4

5 0. DISCUSSION ON US REQUEST TO SUSPEND COMMUNITY REQUIREMENT THAT WOOD PACKAGING MATERIAL ALSO BE DEBARKED. The Committee took note of the request made by the US to suspend the Community requirement that wood packaging material also be debarked. It was agreed to come back to this issue at the next SCPH enabling the relevant experts of the MS to assess in more detail the elements of the US request. The Committee further discussed other items related to the implementation of the International Standard on phytosanitary Measures (ISPM) No 5, such as actions in case of non -compliance, use of Standard for wooden barrels and casks used in the distilled spirit and wine industries, verification of treatment purchased from a third party.. MISCELLANEOUS. UK announced a conference on Phytophthora ramorum (sudden Oak Death) on 30 November in London where an update of the present situation as regards this harmful organism will be presented. A MS questioned how the EU will deal with import of cereals from pest free areas in third countries that are, at least partly, known to be infested with Tilletia indica. EE informed the Committee about the situation that Russia is banning all imports of plant and plant products mentioned in Annex V to Directive 2000/29/EC and intended for export from Estonia. The Commission (SANCO E.) presented a table listing current and future Protected Zones and the presence of survey results from the MS. MS were asked to check the information in the table and to notify any errors or amendments where needed. The Commission indicated that the amended table will be placed on CIRCA. The Commission (TRADE G.2) informed the Committee on trade problems with a third country as regards export of certain fruits and vegetables and asked MS to provide technical information on these commodities. 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. 5

6 Liste des participants à joindre au compte rendu bref Comité phytosanitaire permanent Date: 28-29/0/2004 Etats Membres BE Ministère ou Organisme Service public fédéral Santé publique, Sécurité de la chaîne alimentaire et Environnement Nombre de personnes 2 CZ State Phytosanitary Administration 2 DK Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Fisheries 2 DE Biologische Bundesanstalt für Land- und Forstwirtschaft EE Ministry of Agriculture EL Ministry of Agriculture ES Ministerio de Agricultura, Pesca y Alimentacion FR Ministère de l Agriculture et de la Pêche 2 IE Department of Agriculture and Food IT Ministero delle Politiche Agricole e Forestali CY Ministry of Agriculture LV State Plant Protection Service LT State Plant Protection Service LU Ministère de l Agriculture - HU Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development MT Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries NL Plantenziektenkundige Dienst 2 AT Bundesministerium für Land- und Forstwirtschaft, Umwelt und Wasserwirtschaft Amt der Tyrol PL Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development PT Direcçao-Geral de Protecçao das Culturas SI Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Food SK Ministry of Agriculture FI Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Food 2 SE Swedish Board of Agriculture UK Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 2 6

7 Commission Forestry Commission DG SANCO.E. 7 DG TRADE.G.2 7