EUROPEAN COMMISSION HEALTH & CONSUMER PROTECTION DIRECTORATE-GENERAL

Transcription

1 EUROPEAN COMMISSION HEALTH & CONSUMER PROTECTION DIRECTORATE-GENERAL Directorate F - Food and Veterinary Office DG(SANCO)/7451/2007 MR Final REPORT OF A MISSION CARRIED OUT IN PORTUGAL FROM 22 TO 26 JANUARY 2007 IN ORDER TO MONITOR THE PROGRESS ON THE CONTROL PROGRAMME FOR BURSAPHELENCHUS XYLOPHILUS (THE PINE WOOD NEMATODE) 26/03/

2 Executive summary The report describes the outcome of a mission which took place in Portugal from 22 to 26 January The objective of the mission was to verify that implementation is on schedule regarding 1) the control measures in the demarcated area, as required under Commission Decision 2006/133/EC, and 2) the clear cut belt referred to in Commission Decision 2006/923/EC on a Community financial contribution for 2006 and 2007 to cover expenditure incurred by Portugal for the purpose of combating Bursaphelenchus xylophilus (the pinewood nematode). The responsibilities of the authorities are well defined and the execution of the pine wood nematode eradication programme is organised. However, deadlines for the surveys have not been respected. The survey results for the Free Zone have not been reported to the Member States and the Commission, therefore leaving its status unclear. The surveys for the Demarcated area and the clear-cut belt are delayed; this means that in the event of any positive laboratory test results found in the Buffer Zone, the clear-cut belt is not set at the most appropriate place for its purpose. Recommendations are made in the report to address the shortcomings found during the mission. 2

3 TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. INTRODUCTION OBJECTIVE LEGAL BASIS RELEVANT COMMUNITY LEGISLATION BACKGROUND Previous missions Planned missions Action Plan for the eradication programme MAIN FINDINGS National legislation Competent authorities Surveys Eradication LABORATORIES CONCLUSIONS Legislation Competent authorities Surveys Eradication Laboratories OVERALL CONCLUSION CLOSING MEETING RECOMMENDATIONS SINGLE AUTHORITY RESPONSE TO THE RECOMMENDATIONS

4 ACRONYMS AND SPECIAL TERMS USED IN THE REPORT Action Plan Affected Zone A mid-term eradication plan: Action Plan for the National Eradication Programme for Pine Wood Nematode (Programa Nacional de Luta Contra o Nemátodo da Madeira do Pinheiro PROLUNP), which was presented by Portugal to the Standing Committee on Plant Health, on 15 February 2006 in accordance with Article 2 of Commission Decision 2006/133/EC, revised in July 2006 Area in which pine wood nematode is known to occur Buffer (BZ) Zone Area surrounding the Affected Zone, of no less than 20 km width, where pine wood nematode is known not to occur Clear-cut belt Demarcated area (DA) EU Free Zone FVO DGRF Ex DGPC GNR/SEPNA PROLUNP A 3 km wide belt, at the outer boundary of the Demarcated area, which is to be free from pine wood nematode vector host trees Area including the Affected Zone and the surrounding Buffer Zone where phytosanitary measures are enforced European Union Area in which pine wood nematode is known not to occur Food and Veterinary Office Direcção Geral dos Recursos Florestais - Directorate-General for Forestry Resources Ex Direcção Geral de Protecção das Culturas - ex Directorate- General for Plant Protection Guarda Nacional Republicana o Serviço de Protecção da Natureza e do Ambiente - National Guard and Service for the Protection of the Environment Programa Nacional de Luta Contra o Nemátodo da Madeira do Pinheiro - National Eradication Programme for Pinewood Nematode Pine nematode (PWN) wood Bursaphelenchus xylophilus (Steiner and Buhrer) Nickle et al. 4

5 1. INTRODUCTION The mission took place in Portugal from 22 to 26 January 2007, as part of the Food and Veterinary Office s (FVO) planned mission programme. The mission team consisted of two inspectors from the FVO and one national expert from a Member State and was accompanied throughout the mission by representatives from the responsible official body. An opening meeting was held on 22 January 2007 in Lisbon at the Directorate-General for Forestry Resources (Direcção Geral dos Recursos Florestais) headquarters with representatives from the Single Authority and the responsible official body. At this meeting the objective and itinerary for the mission were confirmed. A closing meeting was held in Lisbon on 26 January 2007, at the same place as above, with representatives from the Single Authority and the responsible official body. 2. OBJECTIVE The objective of the mission was to verify that implementation is on schedule regarding: the control measures in the demarcated area, as required under Commission Decision 2006/133/EC 1 of 13 February 2006 requiring Member States temporarily to take additional measures against the dissemination of Bursaphelenchus xylophilus (Steiner et Buhrer) Nickle et al. (the pine wood nematode) as regards areas in Portugal, other than those in which it is known not to occur, and the clear cut belt referred to in Commission Decision 2006/923/EC 2 of 13 December 2006 on a Community financial contribution for 2006 and 2007 to cover expenditure incurred by Portugal for the purpose of combating Bursaphelenchus xylophilus (Steiner et Buhrer) Nickle et al. (pinewood nematode). In pursuit of this objective, the following sites were visited: Comments COMPETENT AUTHORITY VISITS Responsible Headquarters Directorate-General for Forestry Resources official body PLANT HEALTH CONTROL SITES Comments 3 days of visits The terrain and coniferous trees could be assessed also from the car, while travelling Woodland and forestry sites: 2 Affected Zone 1 Buffer Zone 2 Clear-cut belt 1 Free Zone 1 OJ L 052, , p.34 2 OJ L 354, , p.42 5

6 3. LEGAL BASIS The mission was carried out under the general mandate of Articles 21 and 27a of Council Directive 2000/29/EC 3 of 8 May 2000 on protective measures against the introduction into the Community of organisms harmful to plants or plant products and against their spread within the Community. 4. RELEVANT COMMUNITY LEGISLATION The following Community legislation was of particular relevance to this mission 4 : Council Directive 2000/29/EC; Commission Decision 2006/133/EC; Commission Decision 2006/923/EC. 5. BACKGROUND 5.1. Previous missions This was the ninth mission carried out to monitor control activities against the pine wood nematode, since the pest was recorded in The previous mission report DG(SANCO)8265/2006 carried out from 5 to 9 June, included a number of recommendations, for which the Single Authority provided an action plan on 15 December The mission reports are available on the FVO web-site: Planned missions The FVO has planned three missions to Portugal in 2007, all on the pine wood nematode eradication programme. The other two missions are planned to take place from 28 March to 3 April and from 7 to 11 May Action Plan for the eradication programme In compliance with the provisions laid down in Article 2 of Decision 2006/133/EC, Portugal submitted to the Commission an updated version of the Action Plan for the National Eradication Programme for Pine Wood Nematode (Programa Nacional de Luta Contra o Nemátodo da Madeira do Pinheiro PROLUNP), which updated the actions envisaged for the 2006/2007 campaign, including the establishment of a clear-cut belt around the outer border of the demarcated area and an intensified survey in free zone near the demarcated area border. This plan was approved by the Standing Committee on Plant Health in its meeting on 14 July OJ L 169, , p.01 4 Community legislation cited in this report refers, where applicable, to the version as last amended. 6

7 6. MAIN FINDINGS The previous mission report DG(SANCO)8265/2006 contains details on legislation and on organisation, human and financial resources and communication, which will not be duplicated in this report, however any changes to the above mentioned chapters are reported National legislation The previous mission report made a recommendation that: 1) national legislation to combat PWN is updated with the new limits of the Affected Zone and Buffer Zone included in the Demarcated Area established during the extended survey in May 2006, for further implementation of relevant control measures laid down in Commission Decision 2006/133/EC. Decision 2006/923/EC grants a Community financial contribution for all actions directly linked to the creation of a clear-cut belt as an area free from pine wood nematode vector hosts. The following national legislation has been issued: Regulation of the Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Fisheries No. 815/2006 5, amending Regulation No. 103/ on measures for combating the pine wood nematode and its insect vector, was issued in August 2006, setting new limits for the affected zone and the buffer zone, and setting down the requirement to cut and clear named tree species in the clear-cut belt. The named tree species to be cleared are: Picea orientalis, Pinus halepensis, Pinus nigra, Pinus nigra austriaca, Pinus nigra laricio, Pinus pinaster, Pinus radiata and Pinus sylvestris. Order of the Directorate General for Forest Resources No /2006 7, setting down exact location and limits for the clear-cut belt of 3 km width, which was issued in November Owners of forests, woodland and ornamental trees of the above mentioned species, whose land is situated in the clear-cut, belt have been informed of their obligations and responsibilities as laid down in the national legislation, by means of official notices affixed on notice boards at municipalities and parishes affected. Regulation of the Ministry of Internal Affaires No. 798/2006 8, published in August 2006, sets down the duty for the National Guard and the Service for the Protection of the Environment (GNR/SEPNA) to cooperate in the national pine wood nematode eradication programme Competent authorities Structure and responsibilities The structure of the competent authorities has changed since the last mission as the Government is currently re-organising the structure of the Ministries. The organisation 5 Diário da República 1. a série - N N. o Diário da República 1. a série - B N. o Diário da República 2. a série - N. o Diário da República 1. a série - N. o

8 change in the Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Fisheries has affected the status of the Single Authority. What used to be a Directorate General for Plant Protection (Direcção Geral de Protecção das Culturas) is now an administrative unit within the Directorate General for Agriculture and Rural Development. The responsibilities of the authorities have not changed: the Single Authority, within the meaning of Article 1(4) of Directive 2000/29/EC is the administrative unit for Plant Protection (ex Directorate General) and the responsible official body is the Directorate- General for Forestry Resources, which is responsible for executing the National Eradication Programme for Pinewood Nematode (PROLUNP) Human and financial resources The human and financial resources have not changed from that reported by the previous mission, but as the re-organisation of the Ministry is currently going on, one aim of which is the reduction of the number of civil servants, the human resources are under scrutiny. There are 10 phytosanitary inspectors in the PROLUNP programme and 27 inspectors from the National Guard and the Service for the Protection of the Environment (GNR/SEPNA) to cooperate in the national pine wood eradication programme Surveys Survey in the Demarcated area The area to be surveyed is ha, of which ha is the Affected Zone area and ha is the Buffer Zone area, surrounding the Affected Zone. All conifers showing signs of wilt are to be marked. The method of surveying is described in the report of the previous mission. The survey is carried out with the collaboration of four forest owners associations, to whom this task is assigned. The work that is carried out by the forest owners associations is audited by PROLUNP inspectors, who also carry out the survey work in public areas or areas not covered by the associations. The Demarcated area is divided into 136 units for survey purposes, each assigned with a priority class from 1 to 3, number one being of highest priority (see Figure 1. below). Survey maps are produced in the PROLUNP headquarters. At the time of the mission maps had been produced for 74 units. The mission team noted that these survey maps were of excellent precision. The survey timetable set out in the Action Plan is from November 2006 until 1 February The progress of the survey in the 136 units is monitored and recorded. At the time of the mission the survey was completed only in 41 units. Surveys were in progress in 10 units and 23 units had just received their survey maps, so as to begin the work. However, 62 units still lacked a map. The mission team was informed that the delay in completing the survey was due to administrative difficulties in mobilising the financial resources to involve the forest owners associations in the survey work. The official body stated that surveys will be completed by the end of February. From the record of the survey s progress, the mission team observed that the survey was not being conducted in the order of priority as assigned in Figure 1. In fact the surveys had been completed in some low priority units while some high priority units still remained to be surveyed. 8

9 Survey in the clear-cut belt The area of the belt to be surveyed, situated on the outer border of the Demarcated area, is ha. All trees of the conifer species named in the Regulation No. 815/2006, considered to be hosts of the vector insect, are to be marked. The area of the clear-cut belt overlaps 32 units (partially or totally) of the total of 136 units set for survey purposes, as described above. The survey has been completed in 9 of these units (covering ha), it is in progress in 2 units and 6 units have recently received a survey map to begin the work. 15 units still lack a survey map. The deadline for the completion of the survey (and other activities) in the clear-cut belt is by 31 March 2007 at the latest, as laid down in Article 4 (a) of Decision 2006/923/EC. Figure 1 showing: on the left the Affected Zone in turquoise, the Buffer Zone in bright blue and the clear-cut belt in orange; on the right survey priority classification for the 136 units in the Demarcated area and the clear-cut belt (source PROLUNP) Survey METHODOLOGY Survey Prolunp Demarcated Area & Clear Cut Belt 136 Units Priority Survey in the Free Zone The Free Zone comprises all territory in mainland Portugal not included in the Demarcated area. For survey methodology see the previous mission report. The previous mission report made two recommendations on the survey in the Free Zone during campaign 2005/2006: 2) a list of areas in which PWN is known not to occur is submitted to the Commission, as laid down in Article 5 of Commission Decision 2006/133/EC. Portugal sent the list to the Commission on 26 June ) the survey activities in the Free Zone are extended taking in account the current distribution of the PWN, to reduce the risk of further spreading, including also areas which may be highly attractive for breeding of Monochamus galloprovincialis. In its response to the previous mission report recommendations the Single Authority stated 9

10 that, in addition to the existing permanent survey plots, 200 new permanent plots have been established in areas of the Free Zone immediately adjacent to the border of the Demarcated area. The results of the survey in the Free Zone have not been reported as required by Article 4 of Decision 2006/133/EC, the deadline for which was on 15 December The Single Authority stated that the delay is due to late sampling of the 200 new permanent plots. As green trees, without wilt symptoms, were sampled at these new sites, the laboratory samples were incubated to detect any possible latent infection and the incubation process takes up to three weeks before sample analysis. The results are expected soon - by mid February Sampling On the sampling methodology see the previous mission report. Sampling in the Demarcated area Samples are taken from trees showing wilt symptoms, identified during the survey. In the Buffer Zone all trees with symptoms are to be sampled one laboratory sample may be a composite sample, consisting of wood sampled from up to five trees. In the Affected Zone symptomatic trees are sampled randomly, except in 13 permanent plots (1 ha each), where two samples per symptomatic tree are collected, one at 1,30 m trunk height and one from lower part of the canopy. The previous mission report made three recommendations on sampling, namely: 4) sampling of symptomatic trees is performed with suitable tools, i.e. adequate drill bit size, as indicated in the EU protocol for PWN survey. In its response to the previous mission report recommendations the Single Authority stated that action has been taken on this recommendation. Out of the inspectors met during the present mission, only one had his tools with him and the mission team could verify that this particular inspector was using an adequate drill bit size. 5) samples [from trees showing symptoms] are taken from different sections of the trees, at least in the Buffer Zone and in the Free Zone. In its response to the previous mission report recommendations the Single Authority stated that some samples are taken from different sections of the trees, including canopy level, in the Buffer Zone, but that the sampling in the Free Zone has been conducted by sampling only at one section of the trunk (at the height of 1,3 m) of the trees. As the Buffer Zone sampling is expected to be completed during this 2006/2007 campaign by the end of February only, it was not possible for the mission team to verify this point. 6) all trees showing any symptoms of poor health located in the BZ are tested for the presence of PWN, as requested in point 2 (a) of the Annex to Commission Decision 2006/133/EC. In its response to the previous mission report recommendations the Single Authority stated that this will be done. As the survey and sampling is expected to be completed during this 2006/2007 campaign by the end of February only, it was not possible for the mission team to verify this point. Sampling in the Free Zone Sampling is done in the permanent plots any tree showing symptoms is sampled by one sample per tree, at 1,30 m height. In the 200 additional permanent plots (established in 2006), immediately adjacent to the Demarcated area, samples are taken 10

11 from non-symptomatic trees as well, at different heights including canopy level. These samples are incubated before analysis. Demarcated area Results Since the completion of the survey is late, the number of trees sampled and the result from the Demarcated area have not yet been finalised. During the 2006/2007 survey, up until 22 January, trees were identified with wilt symptoms in the Buffer Zone and in the Affected Zone, thus the total for the Demarcated area is conifer trees in decline samples (each sample consisting of up to 5 trees) have been taken, see Table 1. The results are not yet available - the official body stated that as the survey will be completed by the end of February, and the final laboratory results will be available my mid or end of April. Free Zone The number of trees sampled and the result from the Free Zone have not yet been finalised, but some preliminary information on the number of samples was given by the official body it is presented in Table 1. Table 1 Preliminary data on the survey and eradication programme for the period 1 November January November January 2007 Affected Zone Demarcated area Buffer Zone Clear-cut belt Free Zone No. of symptomatic trees identified No. of samples taken No. of samples tested positive n/a * n/a n/a n/a n/a No. of symptomatic trees felled n/a n/a not applicable n/a No. of samples taken from nonsymptomatic trees No. of samples tested positive from nonsymptomatic trees not applicable 84 n/a 61 not applicable n/a n/a n/a n/a = not available * of these samples were incubated, to detect possibly low level of infection 11

12 6.4. Eradication The eradication (felling, transporting, and clearing of cut waste) of symptomatic trees in the Demarcated area, and of named species of conifers in the clear-cut belt, is the responsibility of the land owner, according to Regulation No. 103/2006. The owner is to inform the official body by an intent to fell -form, at the latest by 31 December 2006, that eradication operation is to be done by the owner. Once official approval has been given for the operation, the owner has 22 days from the approval date to complete the eradication. Inspectors audit these operations. At the time of the mission, data was not yet available on how many owners did the felling themselves, and on how large an area. The official body estimates, based on experience from previous years, that only 20-25% of the owners fulfil their obligation to perform the eradication the Government had to do the operation in the remaining cases. Based on this knowledge, and the fact that the Demarcated area has increased since the previous campaign of 2005/2006, the Single Authority gave the eradication work of felling, transporting, and clearing of cut waste up for international public tender. In the Action Plan for 2006/2007 campaign it was proposed that the invitation to tender would be launched in July The Single Authority stated the launch could not be started at the proposed time, as the Commission Decision for Community financial contribution was not yet finalised at that stage. The draft Decision was adopted, by qualified majority voting (unanimity) in the Standing Committee on Plant Health, on 27 October The Portuguese authorities published two Contract Notices, one for the Demarcated area (publication 2006/S PT) and another for the clear-cut belt (publication 2006/S PT) these were published in the EU and Portuguese Official Journals on 13 and 18 October 2006 respectively. The Demarcated area and the clear-cut belt were divided into seven zones each for this purpose, i.e. 14 zones in total; the applicants could bid for one or more zones. On 25 January 2007, the Government awarded the tender to seven contractors for 12 of the zones, and signed the contracts. Two zones in the clear-cut belt were still left in the public tender process, but the authorities were confident that these will be awarded in the near future. The mission team was informed that the contractors are liable to the same reduction in payment, as have been set for Portugal in Decision 2006/923/EC, in case of failure to complete the eradication work in time, by 31 March The contractors started the eradication work on seven zones in the Demarcated area and on five zones in the clear-cut belt on 29 January. The authorities mentioned that they expect some land owners to take the State to court on the measures imposed, possibly causing delays in the progress of the eradication work. Demarcated area Trees showing wilt symptoms, identified during the survey and marked with a visible band of white paint are to be felled and disposed of by 31 March annually, including branches and other cut waste wood. The previous mission report made a recommendation: 7) the felling of trees identified as infested by PWN, or showing any symptoms of poor health or situated in salvage areas is done within the time limits indicated in the Annex to Commission Decision 2006/133/EC. The Single Authority, in its response to the previous missions report recommendations, states that this will be done within the time limits 12

13 indicated in the said Decision, i.e. by 1 April This remains to be verified by the FVO mission planned to take place from 28 March to 3 April A documentary system has been set up to authorise and monitor the felling activities as reported by the previous mission, refer to it for further details. The mission team visited a site where symptomatic trees marked in the survey were being eradicated by a company. The representative of the company, a Foreman, informed the mission team that the wood is being cut up to the specification of the establishment handling the wood at destination. Marked (symptomatic) trees are cut first and after that, green trees, if any. Cut waste is burned on site. The loggers work with chainsaws and tractors. One logger can clear trees per day. The Foreman was aware he had a deadline, in his case it was mid March. Clear-cut belt All trees of the named conifer species are to be eradicated in the clear-cut belt. The mission team visited a site in the clear-cut belt where the owner of the land was in the process of eradicating maritime pine (Pinus pinaster) trees planted in mixed woodland (of pine, cork oak and eucalyptus). He expressed his concern to the PROLUNP inspectors present, that he will not be able to burn the cut waste by the deadline of 22 days from felling, as the trees being eradicated were healthy green trees, and the branches would not burn. The inspector argued it would be possible to burn them, but if not, a collection of cut waste would have to be organised by the official body. It was apparent the official body had not prepared for the eventuality that the green cut waste might have to be disposed of by other means than burning on site, for which the land owners have no resources and need help. The technical progress report on the measures taken to control pine wood nematode in the clear-cut belt, as laid down in Article 4 (a) of Decision 2006/923/EC, had not been provided by Portugal to the Commission by the deadline of 15 January 2007, as set out in the Decision. 7. LABORATORIES The Single Authority informed the mission team that it has the necessary techniques and is able to handle the number of sample analysis needed to execute the campaign 2006/2007. The official laboratory has contracted the forest owners association's laboratory to carry out pine nematode analysis, under its direct supervision. A change from the previous report is that the University of Evora nematology laboratory is not involved in the present campaign. 8. CONCLUSIONS 8.1. Legislation National legislation has been amended to update the limits of the Demarcated area, taking into account expansion from the previous campaign 2005/2006. The exact borders of the clear-cut belt to be created during this campaign 2006/2007 have been set and legal basis has been created for measures to be taken in the belt. The public in the areas affected have been notified. 13

14 8.2. Competent authorities As concluded by previous missions, this mission also observed that the responsibilities of authorities and the organisation of pine wood nematode eradication programme are clear and well organised. The Government is executing a major re-organisation of its Ministries, including cuts in numbers of civil servants. The effect of this re-organisation on the staffing of the relevant authorities is not yet known Surveys Survey in the Demarcated area will not be completed by 1 February 2007, as set out in the Action Plan the completion date has been postponed until the end of February. As surveying and therefore sampling is delayed, the final laboratory results for the presence or absence of the pine wood nematode in the Buffer Zone should be available by end of April at the latest. This delay means that if any positive test results are found in the Buffer Zone by end of April, the clear-cut belt, which is to be completed by 31 March, is not set at the most appropriate place for its purpose. Portugal has failed to report on the survey results in the Free Zone, as required by Article 4 of Decision 2006/133/EC, leaving the current status of that zone unclear. Sampling of symptomatic trees is not systematically conducted according to the E.C. pinewood nematode survey protocol (2000), point , as samples to a large extent are collected only at one section of the trunk. The best method according to the survey protocol for assessing nematodes from trees with symptoms is to cut wood disks from three positions along the length of the tree, therefore sampling done only at one position (at 1,30 m height) is not sufficient. The same applies for sampling of non-symptomatic trees; it is not conducted in accordance with the Action plan for eradicating the pine wood nematode (PROLUNP), July 2006, points 4.1. and 4.2, as sampling is done only at one position (at 1,30 m height), which is not sufficient to detect low levels of pine wood nematodes present Eradication The eradication of pine trees, with wilt symptoms, in the Demarcated area has been organised. However, in the clear-cut belt, the problem of disposal of the cut waste from green trees and the delay in signing of the remaining contracts for two zones could jeopardise the completion of the eradication measures by the deadline of 31 March Laboratories The Single Authority stated it has the laboratory capacity to perform the necessary analysis to complete the survey for pine wood nematode for campaign 2006/ OVERALL CONCLUSION The responsibilities of the authorities are well defined and the execution of the pine wood nematode eradication programme is organised. However, deadlines for the surveys have not been respected. The survey results for the Free Zone have not been reported to the Member States and the Commission, therefore leaving its status unclear. The surveys for the Demarcated area and the clear-cut belt are delayed; this means that in the event of 14

15 any positive laboratory test results found in the Buffer Zone, the clear-cut belt is not set at the most appropriate place for its purpose. 10. CLOSING MEETING A closing meeting was held on 26 January 2007 at the Directorate-General for Forestry Resources headquarters, during which the main findings and preliminary conclusions of the mission were presented. The representatives of the Single Authority and responsible official body provisionally accepted these. 11. RECOMMENDATIONS The Single Authority in Portugal is recommended to take appropriate action in order to ensure that: 1) the result of the annual survey in mainland Portugal, designated as the Free Zone, is reported to the other Member States and the Commission as required by Article 4 of Decision 2006/133/EC; 2) the eradication measures in the Demarcated area are completed by 1 April 2007, as laid down in point 2. (b) of the Annex to Decision 2006/133 /EC; 3) the measures referred to in Annex I to Decision 2006/923/EC, under heading "Location/ clear-cut belt" listed in the first four rows ("Survey activities for PWN in belt area; Cutting and transporting of all PWN vector host trees; Stripping of all PWN vector host trees; and Disposal of tree strippings"), are implemented by 31 March 2007; 4) when sampling non-symptomatic trees the samples are taken from different sections of the trees, at least in the Buffer Zone and in the Free Zone, in accordance with the Action plan for eradicating the pine wood nematode (PROLUNP), July 2006, points 4.1. and 4.2; 5) the disposal of cut waste from green non-symptomatic trees in the clear-cut belt, is carried out, as laid down in Annex I to Decision 2006/923/EC. The Single Authority in Portugal should consider: 6) when sampling symptomatic trees, the samples are taken from different sections of the trees, at least in the Buffer Zone and in the Free Zone, in accordance with the E.C. pinewood nematode survey protocol (2000), point The competent authorities are invited to provide, within ten working days after receipt of the report, an action plan containing details of the actions taken and planned, including deadlines for their completion, to address the above recommendations. 12. SINGLE AUTHORITY RESPONSE TO THE RECOMMENDATIONS In their response to the recommendations the Portuguese Single Authority has addressed all the recommendations and has proposed relevant action to take place within a specified 15

16 time frame. As soon as this report is published, the Single Authority s response to the recommendations can be found at the following web address: 16