1 
 NATIONAL STANDARDS FOR PHYTO SANITARY MEASURES  
 
 
 
 
 
NSPM: 23 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Guidelines for Inspection  
2013  
 
 
 
 
 
 
(This standard is approved by (the NPPO and) the Quarantine Committee of Nepal, chaired by the 
secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture Development on 1st December 2013 and, is submitted by National 
Plant Quarantine Program to the National Notification Authority to be notified to the WTO member states)  2 
 Table of Contents  
 
1. Introduction  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ .............  4 
1.1 Scope  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ................  4 
1.2 References  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ .......  4 
1.3 Definitions  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ .........  5 
1.4 Outlines of requirements  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................  5 
2.  Background  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ............  5 
2.1 General requirements  ................................ ................................ ................................ .....................  6 
2.1.1  Objectives of inspection  ................................ ................................ ................................ .... 6 
2.1.2  Assumptions involved in the inspections  ................................ ................................ ........  6 
2.1.3 Responsibility for inspection  ................................ ................................ ................................ ... 7 
2.1.4  Requirements for inspectors  ................................ ................................ ................................ .. 7 
2.1.5 Other considerations for inspection  ................................ ................................ .......................  7 
2.1.6   Inspection in relation to pest risk analysis  ................................ ................................ ..........  8 
3. Specific requirements  ................................ ................................ ................................ ............................  8 
3.1 Examination of documents associated with a consignment  ................................ .....................  9 
3.2 Verification of consignment identity and integrity  ................................ ................................ .......  9 
3.3 Visual examination  ................................ ................................ ................................ ........................  10 
3.3.1 Pests ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ .........  10 
3.3.2 Compliance of phytosanitary requirements  ................................ ................................ ........  10 
3.4 Inspection methods  ................................ ................................ ................................ .......................  11 
3.5. Inspection procedures  ................................ ................................ ................................ .................  11 
3.5.1. Visual examination  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................  12 
3.5.2 X -ray test  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ . 12 3 
 3.5.3 Microscopic examination  ................................ ................................ ................................ .......  12 
3.5.4 Incubation test  ................................ ................................ ................................ .........................  12 
3.5.5 Washing test  ................................ ................................ ................................ ...........................  12 
3.5.6 Grow -out test  ................................ ................................ ................................ ...........................  13 
3.5.7 Special tests  ................................ ................................ ................................ ............................  13 
3.5.8 Inspection in field during active growing season  ................................ ...............................  13 
3.5.9 Inspection of bulk shipment  ................................ ................................ ................................ .. 13 
3.5.10 Root crops, edible bulbs (onions etc), flower bulbs, corms and roots  .........................  13 
3.5.11 Cut flowers  ................................ ................................ ................................ ............................  14 
3.5.12 Small plants and cuttings of ornamentals and vegetable plants  ................................ ... 14 
3.5.13. Nursery products (fruit trees, small plants of berries and grape wine, ornamental  
trees, perennials)  ................................ ................................ ................................ ..............................  14 
3.5.14 Fruits, berries, vegetables  ................................ ................................ ................................ .. 15 
3.5.15. Potato  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ .... 15 
4.  Outc ome of inspection  ................................ ................................ ................................ .......................  15 
5. Review of inspection systems  ................................ ................................ ................................ ............  16 
6.  Transparency ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ .......  16 
Diagram 1: Flow Chart for Inspections of consignments  ......................  Error! Bookmark not defined.  
 
 
                 
 
 
 4 
  
 
 
1. Introduction  
 
1.1 Scope  
This national standard describes procedures for the inspection of consignment s of plants, plant 
products and other regulated articles at check points. It is mainly focused on the determination 
of compliance with phytosanitary requirements. The procedures are checking documents, 
identifying integrity based on visual and other examin ations.  NSPM preparation based on 
guidelines and recommendations developed within the framework of the IPPC. This standard 
also adopted the principles, recommendations and format of ISPM to achieve international 
harmonization of phytosanitary measures with  the aim to facilitate trade.  
 
1.2 References  
IPPC . 1997. International Plant Protection Convention . Rome, IPPC, FAO.   
ISPM 1 . 1993.  Principles of plant quarantine as related to international trade . Rome, 
IPPC, FAO.  
[published 1995] [revised; now ISPM 1:  2006]  
ISPM 5 . Glossary of phytosanitary terms . Rome, IPPC, FAO.   
ISPM 7 . 1997. Export certification system . Rome, IPPC, FAO.  
ISPM 8 . 1998. Determination of pest status in an area . Rome, IPPC, FAO.  
ISPM 9 . 1998. Guidelines for pest eradication programm es. Rome, IPPC, FAO.  
ISPM 11 . 2004. Pest risk analysis for quarantine pests including analysis of environmental risks 
and  
living modified organisms . Rome, IPPC, FAO.  
ISPM 12 . 2001. Guidelines for phytosanitary certificates . Rome, IPPC, FAO.  
ISPM 13 . 2001.Guidelines for the notification of non -compliance and emergency action . Rome,  
IPPC, FAO.  
ISPM 14 . 2002. The use of integrated measures in a systems approach for pest risk 
management .  
Rome, IPPC, FAO.  
ISPM 15 . 2002. Guidelines for regulating wood packa ging material in international trade .  Rome, 
IPPC, FAO. [revised; now ISPM 15:2009]  
ISPM 16 . 2002. Regulated non -quarantine pests: concept and application . Rome, IPPC, FAO.  5 
 ISPM 19 . 2003. Guidelines on lists of regulated pests . Rome, IPPC, FAO.  
ISPM 20 . 2004. Guidelines for a phytosanitary import regulatory system . Rome, IPPC, FAO.  
ISPM 21 . 2004. Pest risk analysis for regulated non -quarantine pests . Rome, IPPC, FAO.  
ISPM 23  2005 Guideline for inspection  
Plant Protection Act 2007 . 
Plant Protection Regu lation 2010  
 
 
 
1.3 Definitions  
Definitions of phytosanitary terms used in the present standard can be found in ISPM 5 
(Glossaryof phytosanitary terms ).  
 
1.4 Outlines of requirements  
National plant protection organizations (NPPOs) have the responsibility f or “the inspection of  
consignments of plants and plant products moving in international traffic and, where appropriate 
the inspection of other regulated articles with the object of preventing the introduction and/or 
spread of pests” (Article IV.2(c) of th e IPPC).   
 
Inspectors inspect consignments and determine compliance with phytosanitary requirements, 
based on visual and other examination for detection of pests. The inspectors should check other 
regulated articles and documents and identify integrity. T he outcome of inspection should allow 
an inspector to decide whether to accept, detain or reject the consignment, or whether further 
detail laboratory and other analysis is required. The inspectors should also decide the method of 
sampling during inspectio n. The sampling methodology used should depend on the objective of 
inspection. (NSPM -Sampling).  
2.  Background  
Plants, plant products and other related substances come in different types of consignments. 
Single consignment may contain more than one type of  products. The products may have to be 
classified into different lots (NSPM -Sampling). The inspection is a challenging task. The 
inspectors inspect consignment for compliance with specified import or export requirements, for 
specified regulated pests and f or organisms for which the phytosanitory risk has not yet been 
determined. The quarantine inspectors face a wide variety of tasks on a daily basis in the 
inspection of regulated articles. To effectively accomplish this work, it is desirable for the 
inspect ors to have a sound educational background in agriculture, general knowledge in trade 
and the environment and specific training in phytosanitary procedures used in compliance 
assurance.  6 
 2.1 General requirements  
Consignments may consist of more than one co mmodities or lots. Where a consignment 
comprises more than one commodity or lot, the inspectors may have to make several separate 
visual examinations. Throughout this standard, the term “consignment” is used, but it should be 
recognized that the guidance p rovided for consignments may apply equally to individual lots 
within a consignment  
2.1.1 Objectives o f inspection  
The objectives of inspection of consignments are  
(a) to confirm and compliance with import or export  requirements relating to quarantine 
pests or regulated non -quarantine pests.  
(b) to verify the effectiveness of other phytosanitary measures taken at a previous stage 
in time  
(c) to ensure that the consignment meets specified phytosanitary requirements of the 
importing country at the time of i nspection.  
(d) to issue a phytosanitory certificate for export for the consignment in question  
(e) to verify compliance with phytosanitary import requirements  
(f) to detect  organisms for which the phytosanitary risk has not yet been determined.  
(g) to co llect samples for laboratory testing or the verification of pest identity  
(h) to use inspection as a risk management procedure.  
2.1.2 Assumptions involved in the inspections  
As inspection of entire consignments is often not feasible, phytosanitary inspec tion is  
often based on sampling.  
The use of inspection as a means to detect the presence of pests in, or to determine or verify 
the pest level of, a consignment is based on the following assumptions:  
 -  The pests of concern, or the signs or symptoms th ey cause, are visually detectable              
 -  Inspection is operationally practical.  
 -  Some probability of pests being undetected is recognized.  
 
It is not normally possible to inspect all contents of a consignment. The inspection is usually  
based on sampling. Further, inspection method may not be 100% effective to detect specified 
pest on the consignment. Therefore, there is always some probability of pests being undetected 
during inspection  
 
The size of a sample for inspection purposes is normally  determined on the basis of a specified 
regulated pest associated with a specific commodity. It may be more difficult to determine the 
sample size in cases where inspection of consignments is targeted at several or all regulated 7 
 pests.   
2.1.3 Responsibili ty for inspection  
NPPOs have the responsibility for inspection. Inspections are carried out by NPPOs or under 
their authority (see also section 3.1 of ISPM 7:1997; and section 5.1.5.2 of NSPM : Guidelines 
for a phytosanitary import regulatory systems ).  
2.1.4  Requirements for inspectors  
For good inspection, following requirements should be fulfilled:  
- Inspectors should be technically qualified (Graduate in Agriculture Science or 
under graduate with five years experience in similar job as required by Plant 
protection Regulation 2010 .) 
- Should have authority to discharge their duties and accountability.  
- Should have knowledge in identification of pest, plant and plant products 
and other regulated articles  
- Should have free access to consignments  
- Should  be equipped with necessary tools and equipments  
- Should have knowledge of the operation of other regulatory agencies  
- Should get cooperation from other agencies  
- Should be provided with sufficient incentives (si milar to staff of other agency like 
costu me office ) 
- Should be impartial  
- Should be given refreshment training for skill enhancement  
- Should have good communication and language skill  
- Should have good computer knowledge like using internet  
- Should have internet facility at workplace.   
- Should have good knowledge about occupational health and safety issues  
2.1.5 Other considerations for inspection  
The decision to use inspection as a phytosanitary measure involves  consideration of many 
factors including the phytosanitary requirements of th e importing country and the pests of 
concern. Other factors that require consideration may include:  8 
 - Whether inspection is the only measure or combined with other measures  
- Mitigation measures taken by the exporting country  
- Commodity type and intende d use  
- Place/area of production  
- Season of production  
- Consignment size and configuration  
- Volume, frequency and timing of shipments  
- Experience with origin/shipper  
- Means of conveyance and packaging  
- Financial and technical resources (includin g pest diagnostic capabilities)  
- Previous handling and processing  
- Sampling design characteristics necessary to achieve the inspection objectives  
- Difficulty of pest detection on a specific commodity  
- Experience and the results of previous inspecti ons    
- Perish ability  of the commodity (see also Article VII.2(e) of the IPPC)  
- Good Agriculture practices adopted (GAP)  
2.1.6   Inspection in relation to pest risk analysis  
Pest risk analysis (PRA) provides the basis for technical justification for ph ytosanitary import 
requirements. PRA also provides the means for developing lists of regulated pests requiring 
phytosanitary measures, and identifies those for which inspection is appropriate and/or identifies 
commodities that are subject to inspection. If  new pests are reported during inspection, 
emergency  actions should be undertaken, as appropriate. Where emergency actions are taken, 
a PRA should be used for evaluating these pests and developing recommendations for 
appropriate further actions when necess ary.   
When considering inspection as an option for risk management and the basis for 
phytosanitary decision -making, it is important to consider both technical and operational 
factors associated with a particular type and level of inspection. Such an inspe ction may 
be required to detect specified regulated pests at the desired level and confidence 
depending on the risk associated with them (see also NSPM : PRA for quarantine pest 
including analysis of environmental risks and LMOs  and NSPM : PRA for RNQP ).  
3. Specific requirements   
The technical requirements for inspection involve three distinct procedures that should 
be designed with a view to ensuring technical correctness while also considering 
operational practicality. These procedures are:  
 
 - examinati on of documents associated with a consignment  9 
  - verification of consignment identity and integrity  
 - visual examination for pests and other phytosanitary requirements (such as freedom  
              from soil)    
Certain aspects of inspection may differ depending on the purpose, such as for 
import/export purposes, or verification/risk management purposes.   
 
3.1 Examination of documents associated with a consignment  
In the inspection process, the inspectors should ensure that the import and export docume nts 
are complete, accurate, valid and not fraudulent . (see section 1.4 of ISPM 12:2001 ) 
Examples of documents that may be associated with import and/or export certification include:  
-  phytosanitary certificate/re -export phytosanitary certificates   
- manifest (including bills of lading, invoice )  
- import permit  
- treatment documents/certificates, marks (such as provided for in ISPM 15:2002) 
 or other indicators of treatment      
- certificate of origin  
- field inspection certificates/reports  
- producer /packing records  
- certification programme documents (e.g. seed po tato certification programmes, 
pest free area documentation)  
- inspection reports  
- commercial invoices  
- laboratory reports.  
 
Problems encountered with either import or export document s should, where appropriate, be 
investigated first with the parties providing the documents before further action is taken.   
 
3.2 Verification of consignment identity and integrity  
The inspection for identity and integrity involves checking to ensure tha t the consignment is 
accurately described by its documents. The identity check verifies whether the type of plant or 
plant product or species is in accordance with the phytosanitary certificate received or to be 
issued.  
 
The integrity check  verifies if th e consignment is clearly identifiable and the quantity and status 10 
 is as declared in the phytosanitary certificate received or to be issued. This may require a 
physical examination of the consignment to confirm the identity and integrity, including checking  
for seals, safety conditions and other relevant physical aspects of the shipment that may be of 
phytosanitary concern. Actions taken based on the result will depend on the extent and nature 
of the problem encountered.  
 
3.3 Visual examination  
Related asp ects of visual examination include its use for pest detection and for verifying 
compliance with phytosanitary requirements.  
3.3.1 Pests  
A sample is taken from consignments/lots to determine if a pest is present, or if it exceeds a 
specified level. The ab ility to detect in a consistent manner the presence of a regulated pest with 
the desired confidence level requires practical and statistical considerations, such as the 
probability of detecting the pest, the size of the lot, the desired level of confidence , the sample 
size and the intensity of the inspection (see ISPM on sampling). If the objective of inspection is 
the detection of specified regulated pests to meet phytosanitary import requirements, then the 
sampling method should be based on a probability of detecting the pest that satisfies the 
corresponding phytosanitary requirements.  
 
If the objective of the inspection is the verification of the general phytosanitary condition of a 
consignment/lot, such as when:  
 -specified regulated pests have been id entified  
 -no specified pest level has been identified for regulated pests  
 -the aim is to detect pests when there has been a failure of a phytosanitary measure,  
then sampling methodology should reflect this.  
 
The sampling method adopted should be base d on transparent technical and operational 
criteria, and should be consistently applied (see also NSPM : Guidelines for a phytosanitary 
import regulatory systems ).   
 
3.3.2 Compliance of phytosanitary requirements  
Inspection can be used to verify the compl iance with some phytosanitary requirements. -      
Examples include:  
 -   treatment  
 -   degree of processing  11 
  -  freedom from contaminants (e.g. leaves, soil)  
 -   required growth stage, variety, colour, age, degree of maturity etc.  
 -   absence of u nauthorized plants, plant products or other regulated articles  
 -   consignment packaging and shipping requirements  
 -   origin of consignment/lots  
 -   point of entry.  
 
3.4 Inspection methods  
The inspection method should be designed either to detect t he specified regulated pests on or 
in the commodity being examined, or to be used for a general inspection for organisms for 
which the phytosanitary risk has not yet been determined. P lant Protection Regulation, 2010  
has outlined brief inspection method un der sec. 11. The inspectors  should follow the methods  
(Diagram 1.) .The inspector shou ld visually examine  units in the sample until the target or other 
pest has been detected or all sample units have been examined. At that point, the inspection 
may cease. H owever, additional sample units may be examined if the NPPO needs to gather 
additional information concerning the pest and the commodity, for example if the pest is not 
observed, but signs or symptoms are. The inspector may also have access  to other non -visual 
tools that may be used in conjunction with the inspection process.  
 
It is important that:  
-  examination of the sample be undertaken as soon as reason ably possible after the 
sample has been drawn and that the sample is as representative of the consi gnment/lot 
as possible  
-  techniques are reviewed to take account of experience gained with the technique and    
of new technical developments  
-  procedures are put in place to ensure the independence, integrity, traceability and 
security of samples for each consignment/lot  
- results of the inspection are documented.  
Inspection procedures should be in accordance with the PRA where appropriate, and 
should be consistently applied.  
 
3.5. Inspection procedures  
 The inspection and certification procedures fo r seed and propagating plant material shall 
be carried out strictly in accordance with the quarantine regulations of the importing 
country.  12 
  The methods of inspection and testing procedures would greatly depend upon the 
additional declarations that are req uired to be incorporated in the PC. However, the 
following are the inspection/testing procedures which are adopted in gen eral. 
 The inspection and certification of seed and propagating plant material such as bulbs, 
cuttings, saplings, bud  wood etc. involve sometimes field crop/nursery inspection or pre -
shipment inspection besides the usual port inspection.  
 
3.5.1. Visual examination  
Surface examination of consignments of seeds/bulbs/nursery stock is carried out with the 
illuminated magnifier or magnoscope (1 0 x magnifications ) to record any stages of live insects, 
soil contamination, weed seeds, seed admixtures such as  nematode galls or ear cockles, ergot 
sclerotia, smut/bunt balls, discolored  or malformed seeds, fungal fructifications etc.  
3.5.2 X-ray test  
X-ray test is used for the detection of hidden infestation in seeds of leguminous crops. Also it is 
used to detect internal infestation/ infection in bulbs and tubers. The samples of seed are 
examined under fluorescent screen of X -ray scanner (Soft X -ray t ype) to reveal internal 
damage.  
3.5.3 Microscopic examination  
The examination is carried out either under a stereobinocul ar microscope or compound 
binocular research microscope for identification an d characterization of pests of concern viz. 
insects, mite s, nematodes, fungi, bacteria etc . To characterize the fungi or bacteria the slides 
are suitably stained in cotton blue or la ctophenol  or bacteriological stains, mounted and 
examined under high power of the microscope.  
3.5.4 Incubation test  
The seed sampl es are subject to blotter test/agar plate test for detection of seed -borne 
fungi.The seeds are tested in lots of 400 seeds by plating on moist blotters kept in transparent 
plastic petridishes or alternatively plated in seed germination boxes and are incuba ted for 7 
days at 25 -30°C under 12 hr. NUV or day light fluorescence/darkness cycles for revealing 
specific fungal infection.  The plates are examined under stereo -binocular microscope to detect 
specific fungi by morphological characteristics . 
3.5.5 Washing  test 
The test is employed for detection of oospores of downy mildews, rust, bunt and smut spores 
and nematode cysts etc.  
Internally borne nematode infestation such as Ditylenchus  angustus  detected by soaking seeds 
in water for 24 hours and examining the s eed suspensions for nematodes under a compound 
microscope. In  case of rooted cuttings/ plants the ro ot washing collected on nematode collecting 
sieve are examined for the nematodes.  13 
 3.5.6 Grow -out test  
The seeds/seedlings/cuttings/ saplings meant for propa gation are subjected to grow out test for 
the presence of any latent infection specially for virus and certain fungal and bacterial diseases, 
if required by importing country.  
The aforesaid plant materials are grown in an insect proof glass/screen houses for the specific 
period. The presence of viral, fungal, bacterial pathogen is detected based on the appearance 
of symptoms during the growing stage of seedling/saplings, cuttings etc.  
3.5.7 Special tests  
Certain special tests are conducted for the presenc e of specific pathogen such as serological 
test for viruses, modified blotter/ agar incubation tests for specific fungi etc if insisted upon by 
the importing country.  
3.5.8 Inspection in field during active growing season  
If the importing country insists upon the inspection of the crop during pre -harvest time/active 
growing period for the freedom of any specific pathogen, the same is also undertaken. The 
inspection is conducted at regular interval of 15 days to one month depending upon the 
crop/commodity a nd pathogen.  
3.5.9 Inspection of bulk shipment  
The inspection and certification of bulk shipment of food grains etc. involve:  
 pre-shipment inspection of stock at the storage warehouses to ascertain whether the 
stock conforms to the quarantine requirements  of importing country as stipulated in trade 
agreement/ letter of credit;  
  fumigation of stocks at scheduled rates under the supervision of plant quarantine 
authority;  
 post-fumigation inspection and evaluation of stocks to ensure pest -free status;  
  inspec tion/ disinfestations of conveyance to render it pest -free, and  
 final inspection and phytosanitary certification of the consignment loaded into the 
vehicle.  
 The samples of grain drawn are subject to visual inspection to ensure freedom from 
quarantine pes ts, if any and also subject to X -ray examination,  if facilities are available, 
to detect hidden infestation.  
3.5.10  Root crops, edible bulbs (onions etc), flower bulbs, corms and roots  
 Inspect the root crop or bulb for signs of insect boring.  
 If holes ar e visible, cut the root or bulb with knife and verify the reason.  
 To detect nematodes, look for surface discoloration (generally a brownish –grayish 
color), surface blisters, depressions, or any irregularity. To inspect for nematodes, take 
samples to labora tory.  
 Take sample of soil attached to root crops and edible bulbs and of loose soil in the bags 
and containers. Soil may be infested by nematodes.  
Maximum allowed amount of soil is 1 % of weight.  14 
 3.5.11  Cut flowers  
All imported consignments of cut flowers  shall be inspected regardless of the country of   origin.  
 Pay attention to living insects, mines in leaves, any signs of rust or mold or symptoms of 
bacterial or virus diseases. Usually plants packed as loose stems are of a lower risk than 
those in bunch es.  
 Shake or tap each flower or bunch over the white inspection surface. Tap with enough force 
to dislodge any insect larvae, adult insects, or fecal material.  
  Examine the inspection surface to catch  thrips, aphids, and early instar larvae. Look for 
anything that moves and for fecal material that may have been dislodged.  
Examine the leaves and stems for:  
 Signs of feeding - discolored mines in the leaves  
 Symptoms of diseases - discolored sections, rust, or black spots.  
 Adult insects or larvae.  Examine  the flowers and foliage by:  
 Spreading apart inflorescences (petals of the flowers).  
 Opening the calyx at the base of the flower.  
 Breaking apart bracteal heads (leaf  like plant part at the base of the flowers).  
 Cutting open stems.  
 Inspecting the insid e of the packages for larvae, insects, or any other evidence of these 
pests.  
All the different lots shall be inspected on the basis of plant species.  
Cut flowers may be imported as loose or packed in different ways. Most commonly cut flowers 
are traded i n boxes, each containing some tens of flowers. Select so many packages as is 
needed to comply with the following guidelines.    
3.5.12  Small plants and cuttings of ornamentals and vegetable plants  
Small plants and cuttings of ornamentals need to be inspect ed carefully. Special attention shall 
be paid on chrysanthemum, gerbera, gypsophila, impatiens and on small plants of all 
vegetables (tomato, cucumber, melons etc).  
Each species and variety shall be inspected separately.  
Small commodities (less than 100 p ieces) shall be inspected in total. The larger consignments 
shall be selected at random but at least 100 pieces  shall be inspected.  
3.5.13.  Nursery products (fruit trees, small plants of berries and grape wine, ornamental  
trees, perennials)  
Nursery product s are usually imported with roots protected by soil or peat or mixture or both. 
Pay attention to soil, and if it's field soil, take samples for nematode analyses. Amount of field 
soil in roots shall not exceed 1% in weight.  15 
 Inspect small commodities in to tal. 
In case of larger commodities select at random 10% of plants for inspections but make sure that 
you select at least 50 pieces.  
Open soil or peat balls, inspect the roots, which may be infested by nematodes or bacteria 
(knots, malformations).  
3.5.14  Fruits, berries, vegetables   
All imported consignments shall be inspected.  
Each plant species and variety is inspected separately.  
Products are usually transported in wooden or cardboard cages. Pay attention to possible soil or 
debris in bottom of cages and on packaging material (hay, plant material etc).  
Some fruits and  vegetables (tomato, cucumber, melons etc) may be attached with leaves or 
stems , which may be infested by insects or diseases.     
3.5.15.  Potato  
All consignments of potato intended to be  imported shall be inspected. Each lot should be 
inspected separately.  
If potatoes are packed, the sack (usually 20 -25 kg for ware potatoes and 50 kg for seed 
potatoes) are  used as unit for inspection. If the potatoes are in bulk, it may be impossible to 
identify individual lots and the whole consignment should be considered as one lot.  
Special attention shall be paid on possible soil and debris inside and between sacks, and in 
container.  
Sampled tubers shall be cut in sheets by knife, starting from heel end. Purpose is to verify 
possible visual symptoms of bacterial diseases ( Clavibacter or Ralstonia )  or fungus diseases. 
For visual inspection at least 200 tubers shall be cut of each lot.   
If symptoms of infestation are found, or inspector suspects infes tation but can not verify it by 
visual inspection, samples are taken to laboratory identification. For laboratory analyses the 
heels ands of at least 200 tubers of each lot has to be cut.  
Samples shall be taken also of loose soil found in sacks, for potat o nematode analyses.  
Seed potato shall be inspected using the sampling and testing guidelines of ISTA.      
4.  Outcome of inspection  
The result of the inspection contributes to the decision to be made as to whether the 
consignment meets phytosanitary req uirements. If phytosanitary requirements are met, 
consignments for exports may be provided with appropriate certification, e.g. phytosanitary 16 
 certificates, and consignments for import will be released.  
 
If phytosanitary requirements are not met, further a ctions can be taken. These actions may be 
determined by the nature of the findings, considering the regulated pest or other inspection 
objectives, and the circumstances. Actions for non -compliance are described in detail in ISPM 
20:2004, section 5.1.6.    
 
In many cases, pests or signs of pests that have been detected may require identification or a 
specialized analysis in a laboratory or by a specialist before a determination can be made on 
the phytosanitary status of the consignment. It may be decided that  emergency measures are 
needed where new or previously unknown pests are found. A system for properly documenting 
and maintaining samples and/or specimens should be in place to ensure trace -back to the 
relevant consignment and to facilitate later review of  the results if necessary.   
 
In cases of repeated non -compliance, amongst other actions, the intensity and frequency of 
inspections for certain consignments may be increased.  
 
Where a pest is detected in an import, the inspection report should be suffici ently detailed to 
allow for notifications of non -compliance (in accordance with ISPM 13:2001). Certain other 
record -keeping requirements may also rely on the availability of adequately completed 
inspection reports (e.g. as described in Articles VII and VII I of the IPPC, ISPM 8:1998 and ISPM 
20:2004).  
5. Review of inspection systems  
NPPOs should conduct periodic reviews of import and export inspection systems to validate the 
appropriateness of their design and to determine any course of adjustments needed to ensure 
that they are technically sound. Audits should be conducted in order to review the validity of the 
inspection systems. An additional inspection may be a component of the audit.   
6.  Transparency  
As part of the inspection process, information co ncerning inspection procedures for a 
commodity should be documented and made available on request to the parties concerned in 
application of the transparency principle (ISPM 1:1993).  This information may be part of 
bilateral arrangements covering the phyt osanitary aspects of a commodity trade.  
 17 
  18 
  Receiving Inspection 
Request  
Example: Lentle 
export to Bangladesh  Pass  
Fail 
Take 
appropriate 
action  Verify Importing 
country 
requirement  Pass  
Fail 
Take 
appropriate 
action  
 Check personnel  
protection 
equipment and 
inspection tools  
Ex. Safety vest, hand 
lens,  torch, inse ct 
interception kits,  
sampling bags  Pass  
Fail 
Take 
appropriate 
action  
2. During Inspection  
Check Inspection Area 
Requirement  
Ex. Structural, Operational, 
and hygine requirement. 
Preparation in registered 
establishment  Pass  
Fail 
Take 
appropriate 
action 
 Verify presented 
documentation against 
presented consignment  
Ex. Phytosanitory 
certificate  
Legislation: Plant 
Protection Act, 2064  Pass  
Fail 
Take 
appropriate 
action  
 Check trade 
description  
Product 
Description  
Legislation: Plant 
Protection 
Regulation, 2010  Pass  
Fail 
Take 
appropriate 
action  
 1. Pre Inspection  Diagram 1 : Flow Chart for Inspections  of consignments  19 
  Ex. Inspection of 
goods  
Legislation: PPA, 
2007  Pass  
Fail 
Pests, Diseases or 
Contamination found  
Ex. Prescribed goods to 
comply with p roduct 
standards  
Legislation: PPR, 2010  Inform Exporter  
Take appropriate 
action  
 
Take Samples  Inform 
Exporter  
Take Appropriate 
Action  
 
3. Post Inspection  
COMPLETE AND ISSUE 
DOCUMENTATION AND 
INVOICE  
Example: Inspection worksheets, 
treatment details  
Legislation: PPR , 2010  Key 
PPA: Plant Protection Act, 20 07 
PPR: Plant Protection Regulation, 
2010  2. During Inspection Contd.  
Conduct Inspection