i 
 NATIONAL STANDARDS FOR PHYTOSANITARY MEASURES  
 
 
 
 
 
 
NSPM: 36 
 
 
 
 
 
Integrated measures for plants for planting  
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)  
 
 
 ii 
  
 
Contents  
1. Introduction  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ..........  1 
1.1 Scope  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ................  1 
1.2 References  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ .......  1 
1.3 Definitions  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ .........  2 
1.4 Outline of requirements  ................................ ................................ ................................ ..................  2 
2. Background  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ .........  2 
3. Requirements  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ...... 3 
3.1 Basis for regulating  ................................ ................................ ................................ ..........................  3 
3.2 Integrated measures  ................................ ................................ ................................ .......................  4 
3.2.1 General measures  ................................ ................................ ................................ ....................  4 
3.2.1.1 Conditions for approval  ................................ ................................ ................................ ............  4 
3.2.1.2 Requirements for place of production  ................................ ................................ ......................  4 
3.2.2 Additional Measures  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................  5 
3.3  Non -conformity with requirements for the place of product ion ................................ ................  7 
4. Exporting NPPO responsibilities  ................................ ................................ ................................ ...... 8 
4.1 Auditing by the Exporting NPPO  ................................ ................................ ................................ ... 8 
5. Importing NPPO responsibilities  ................................ ................................ ................................ ..........  8 
5.1 Technically justified measures based on:  ................................ ................................ ....................  8 
5.2   Importing NPPO Audits  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................  9 
Annex 1: Factors affecting pest risk of plants for planting  ................................ ................................ . 10 
Appendix 1: Examples of pest management measures to reduce the pest risk o f plants for 
planting at a place of production  ................................ ................................ ................................ ........  12 
Appendix 2: Examples of non -conformity  ................................ ................................ .........................  16 
 1 
 1. Introduction  
1.1 Scope  
This standard outlines criteria for identification /application of integrated measures for production 
and trade of plants for planting. It provides guidance to identify and manage pest risks.  This 
standard provides guidelines for the development and implementation of integrated measures  to 
manage the pest risks associated with the production and international movement of plants for 
planting (excluding seeds). It outlines factors relevant for the determination of the risk level 
associated with particular plants for planting and places of production, as well as risk -based 
application of measures and the responsibilities of the national plant protection organizations 
(NPPOs) of the importing and exporting countries.  NSPM preparation based on  guidelines and 
recommendations developed within th e 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  
ISPM 2.  2007. Framework for pest risk analysis . Rome, IPPC, FAO.  
ISPM 5 . Glossary of phytosanitary terms . 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 . 2011. Phytosanitary certificates . Rome, IPPC, FAO.  
ISPM 13 . 2001.  Guidelines for the notification of non -compliance and emergency action . 
Rome.  
IPPC, FAO.  
ISPM 17 . 2002. Pest reporting.  Rome, IPPC, FAO.  
ISPM 20 . 2004. Guidelines for a phytosanitary import re gulatory system . Rome, IPPC, 
FAO.  
ISPM 21 . 2004. Pest risk analysis for regulated non -quarantine pests . Rome, IPPC, 
FAO.  
ISPM 24 .  2005.  Guidelines for the determination and recognition of equivalence  of 
phytosanitary  
measures . Rome, IPPC, FAO.  
ISPM 3 2. 2009. Categorization of commodities according to their pest risk . Rome, IPPC, 
FAO.  
ISPM 36 . 2012. Integrated measures for plants for planting  2 
 1.3 Definitions  
Plants for planting are defined in the International Standard for Phytosanitary Measures No. 5 
(Glossary of phytosanitary terms) (ISPM 5, 2010) as ‘Plants intended to remain planted, to be 
planted or replanted’.  
1.4 Outline of requirements  
This standard provides guidance for the use of integrated measures to manage the pest risks 
that plants for planting (excluding seeds) pose as a pathway for regulated pests and to meet the 
phytosanitary requirements of the importing NPPO. The use of integrated measures 
/approaches requires the involvement of the NPPOs of both the importing and exporting 
countrie s, as well as producers, and relies on pest risk management measures applied 
throughout the production and distribution processes. Plants for planting are generally 
considered as presenting a higher risk of pest introduction than other commodities, especia lly 
as:  
 the pests can survive, and possibly reproduce, on their living hosts or in the soil during 
transport of the commodity;  
 once at destination, the plants will remain planted or be replanted. The pest may survive 
on the plant it was introduced on and  might transfer  
Integrated measures may be developed and implemented by the NPPO  of the  exporting 
country. General integrated measures may include requirements such as keeping a plan of the 
place of production, examination of plants, keeping records, trea ting pests and sanitation. 
Where justified, additional elements such as a place of production manual including a pest 
management programme, appropriate training for personnel, specific packing and transportation 
requirements, and internal and external audi ts may be required.  
The NPPO of Nepal  should approve and oversee places of production using integrated 
measures, as well as  issue phytosanitary  certificates that attest to the consignment as meeting 
the phytosanitary requirements of the importing countr y.   
2. Background  
Integrated measures may be used to manage the risk of pests, especially those that are difficult 
to detect. This requires participation of the NPPO and producers  
This standard on the risk of imports of Plants for Planting covers all plants for planting, except 
true seeds. Plants for planting include categories such as bare root plants, rooted plants, bulbs 
and tubers, cuttings, budwood and graftwood and meristem ti ssue culture. Such materials are 
generally considered to pose a higher pest risk of  pest introduction than other regulated articles 
and commodities.  This standard provides guidance to help identify & manage pest risks 
associated with plants for planting as  a pathway . Firstly the pests can survive, and possibly 
reproduce, on their living hosts or in the soil during transport of the commodity. Secondly, once 
at destination, the plants will remain planted or be replanted, facilitating survival and transfer of 
the pest to a suitable host.  
The current regulatory framework for entry of plants for planting into the country is broadly 
permissive. Known risks are regulated according to a continuum of strategies ranging from 
prohibition to visual inspection upon arriv al. Unless specific restrictions apply, virtually any type 
of plant from anywhere in the world is enterable with reliance on visual inspection as the primary 
mitigation measure. Modern risk analyses have been performed only in limited cases. In short, 
current regulation of plants for planting is list dependent, reactive, and heavily based on old 
information.  3 
  
It outlines integrated measures that can be carried out at the place of production including 
general measures such as: keeping plan of place of produc tion, examination of plants, keeping 
records, treating pests, sanitation, etc. Such measures require participation of the NPPO of the 
exporting country and producers throughout all the stages of production of the plants for 
planting.  
 
Several  NSPMs and  ISPMs provide general guidance  on pest risk management (e.g. NSPM : 
Framework for pest risk analysis , NSPM : pest risk analysis for quarantine pests including 
analysis of environmental risks and living modified organisms ,NSPM: Pest risk analysis for 
regulated non-quarantine pests, NSPM: Categorization of commoditi es according to their pest 
risk). The conclusions from pest risk analyses (PRAs) should be used to decide the 
phytosanitary measures to reduce the pest risk to an acceptable level for the importing coun try.  
Plants for planting generally considered  higher pest risk .  Integrated measures may be used to 
manage the risk of pests, especially those that are difficult to detect . It requires participation of 
the NPPO  and producers.  
Integrated measures may be used at places of production to manage the risk of regulated pests,  
especially those that are difficult to detect during import or export inspections because:  
 
 some pests do not cause distinct visual symptoms, particularly at l ow pest incidence  
 symptoms of infestation may be latent or masked at the time of inspection (e.g. as a 
result of pesticide use,  nutrient imbalances,  dormancy  of plants at time of  dispatch,  
presence  of other non -regulated pests or by removal of sympto matic leaves)  
 small insects or eggs may be hidden under bark or scales of buds etc.  
 the type of packaging, size and physical state of the consignment can influence the 
effectiveness of inspection  
 detection methods for many pests, particularly pathogens,  may not be available.  
3. Requirements   
3.1 Basis for regulat ing 
Consignments of plants for planting must be free of regulated pests. If other pests of potential 
quarantine concern are found in a consignment, this consignment may be detained. Member 
countrie s should recognize that integrated phytosanitary measures including new and existing 
measures and practices should provide a more effective basis for preventing the entry and 
establishment of pests associated with the movement of plants for planting. This approach is 
based on technical justification (see NSPM: Framework for PRA, NSPM:  PRA for quarantine 
pest, including analysis of environmental risk and LMOs and NSPM: PRA of RNQPs ). Annex 1  
outlines factors to be taken into account when the NPPO of the importing country conducts a 
PRA for plants for planting.  
 
The NPPO of the exporting country should develop and set up measures that meet the 
phytosanitary import requirements. Integrated mea sures may be developed and set up in two 
different cases as follows:  
 The importing country, in its phytosanitary import requirements, specifies integrated 
measures to be used in the exporting country.  
 The importing country does not explicitly require int egrated measures to be used, but the 4 
 NPPO of the exporting country deems that using integrated measures would be a 
suitable and effective means of achieving the importing country’s phytosanitary import 
requirements and, therefore, decides to specify integr ated measures to be applied by 
producers wishing to export plants for planting to that particular importing country.  
 
A producer wishing to participate in using integrated measures, in order to qualify to export 
plants for planting to particular countries , should seek approval from its NPPO. Subsequently, 
the NPPO of the exporting country may approve producers conforming to requirements for 
integrated measures set up by that NPPO.  
3.2 Integrated measures  
Two main levels of integrated measures:  
 General int egrated measures  
 Additional measures for higher pest risk situations  
3.2.1 General measures  
Where individual measures alone are not sufficient to mitigate the pest risk, the NPPO of the 
exporting country may authorize a place of production that complies with general integrated 
measures that are applicable to all types of plants for planting. This describes a set of integrated 
measures that may be widely applicable to all plants for planting. The NPPO of the exporting 
country may approve a place of production that complies with requirements on general 
integrated measures described hereafter.   
3.2.1.1 Conditions for approval  
 Maintaining  and updated place of production plan  
 Records (when, where and how) plants produced  
 Access to specialist  
 Designating  person   with a well -established working knowledge of pest identification 
and control as a contact person for the NPPO of the exporting country  
 Notifying  their NPPO if any relevant pests are observed.  
 
Any failure of products or procedures to adhere to the requir ements for authorization (non -
compliance) should result in the suspension of authorization of the place of production until 
corrective actions have been successfully completed.  
3.2.1.2 Requirements  for place of production  
 inspect plants and facilities according to specific protocols  provided by  the NPPO of the 
exporting country  
 record keeping (pests found, corrective actions)  
 establish and  document sanitation/ hygiene  
 complying with any phytosanitary measures required by the importing  NPPO  
 notification  
 
Table 1 in Appendix 1 provides specific examples of pest management measures related to 
pest group characteristics that are applicable for most types of plants for planting at places of 
production.  
 
Table 2 in Appendix 1 provides examples of  possible pest management measures that NPPOs 
may require for different types of plants for planting and different types or groups of pests 
associated with them. The examples describe frequently used measures for important pest 5 
 types of the relevant type o f plants for planting.  
3.2.2 Additional Measures  
This describes additional elements designed to manage pest risks in higher pest risk situations.   
3.2.2.1 Requirements for the place of production in higher pest risk situations  
In higher pest risk situations , where  general measures alone are not sufficient, NPPO  of the 
exporting country may  approve requirements for additional measures.  
3.2.2.2 Place of production manual  
The manual should describe all of the requirements, elements and processes that make up the 
integrated measures for risk management of the plants for planting. The manual should be 
developed, implemented and maintained by the place of production and approved by the NPPO  
of Nepal (exporting country) . For exports of additional plants or  exports to additional countries, 
the manual should be amended, and the affected sections reviewed and approved by the NPPO 
of the exporting country.  The place of production manual may include the following elements:  
3.2.2.3 Pest management program  
-Sanitation and hygiene – contributing  to preventing the introduction  of pests to  the place  of 
production and minimizing spread within a place of production, for example:  
 regular removal of infested plants and plant debris  
 disinfection of tools and equipm ent  
 removal of weeds and non -crop plant material  
 treatment of water  
 management of surface water  
 personal hygiene (e.g. hand washing, foot baths, coveralls or aprons)  
 limited access  
 routines for use of packaging material and packaging facilities  
-Pest control – products, procedures and measures (see Appendix 1) to prevent or treat pests 
such  as:  
 physical barriers (e.g. screens, double doors)  
 disinfection of growing media and containers used to grow plants  
 crop protection product applications (e.g. chemical, biological)  
 disposal of infested plants  
 mass trapping of both pests of concern and possible vectors  
 climate control  
 hot water or heat treatment  
 any other treatment proven to control the pest of conc ern  
 
-Handling of incoming  plant material – methods  and documentation for  managing pest  risks  
associated with incoming plant material, with descriptions of:  
 measures to ensure that all plants for planting entering the place of production 
are free of pes ts regulated  by  the  importing countries, possible  pest vectors  and 
practically  free of  other pests  
 procedures to be followed if pests or possible vectors are detected  
 records to be kept, including the  date, the  name  of  the person carrying out th e 
examination, any pests (including possible vectors), damage or symptoms found, 
and any corrective actions taken  
 
-Examina tion of plant material and production  sites – methods , frequency ,  
and intensity  used to examine all plant material  in the place of production (e.g. by  visual  6 
 examination,  sampling, testing and trapping), including details  of any  laboratories used to  
identify pests found and methods used ,  
-Examination of plants fo r planting prior to export – methods, frequency and  intensity used  to  
examine plants when exports are being prepared ,  
-Identification and management of infested plants, with descriptions of:  
 how an infested plant will be identified and treated  
 measures  to ensure that plants that do not meet importing countries’ phytosanitary 
import requirements are not exported  
-Disposal of removed plant material in a manner that prevents buildup and spread of pests 
keeping records of the  application of crop  protection  products and other pest  management  
measures.  
3.2.2.4 Plant protection specialist  
Places of production implementing comprehensive integrated measures for pest risk 
management should employ a specialist with a well -established working knowledge of pest 
identification and control. The specialist should ensure that sanitation, pest monitoring and pest 
control measures are implemented as described in the phytosanitary manual and pest 
management plan and that the NPPO of the exporting country (Nepal) is noti fied upon detection 
of relevant pests. This person should also serve as the contact person with diagnosticians who 
may be needed for pest identification.  
3.2.2.5 Training of personnel  
A training program must be established, documented and regularly conducted at the place of 
production. The training program must ensure that all those involved in the export program 
possess the specific knowledge related to the relevant components of the program and a 
general understanding of the requirements.  
Personnel  should be trained to detect pests, especially those regulated by the importing 
country, and to follow a formal reporting system to communicate information on pest findings. 
Training should also include methods to handle material to reduce pest risk.  
3.2.2.6 Examination of plant material  
All plant material produced in a place of production (including plants destined for domestic 
markets and other production sites) should be examined for the presence of  pests on a regular 
schedule by designated personnel ac cording to established methods and corrective action 
applied as necessary.  
3.2.2.7  Packaging and transport  
The following considerations apply to packaging and transport operations:  
 
 Plant material should be packed in a manner to prevent infestation or re infestation by 
regulated pests.  
 Packaging material should meet the requirements of the importing country.  
 Each unit of a consignment should be identified in a way that links it to the consignment 
and to the phytosanitary certificate or each lot in a consig nment should be identified in a 
way that can be traced back to the place of production.  
 Pack aging material and boxes should be clean, unused , disinfested or decontaminated 
and meet the phytosanitary import  requirements.  
 Conveyances at the place of production should be examined and cleaned as necessary 
prior to loading.  7 
 3.2.2.8  Internal audits  
Internal audits should be conducted to ensure that the producer is in compliance with its 
manual. Internal audits should focus on whether the manual and its im plementation meet the 
requirements  of the NPPOs of the exporting and importing countries. For example, the internal 
audit may evaluate  the competency of personnel in identifying and controlling pests, carrying 
out duties and responsibilities, and whether t he record -keeping is adequate to keep track of the 
origin of plant material, labels etc.  
 
Internal audits sh ould be carried out by personnel  who are independent of the people directly 
responsible for the audited activity. The results of the audits and any non-compliance (Appendix  
2) should be recorded and presented to the place of production management for review. The 
personnel  responsible for the audited activity should promptly take corrective action regarding 
any non-compliance  discovered during an audit  and ensure that corrective actions are 
implemented effectively and are documented.   If a place of production identifies any critical non -
compliance, it should immediately notify its NPPO of the exporting country in writing and ensure 
that non -compliant plants for planting are not exported. Immediate corrective actions should be 
taken in cooperation with the NPPO of the exporting country.  
3.2.2.9  Record keeping  
Accurate and up -to-date records should be kept and should be able to be retrieved when 
required  by the NPPO. The records should  be maintained  as determined by the NPPO of the 
exporting country.  Records should include date, name and signature of the person who carried 
out the task and/or prepared the document. Examples of records that may be required  include:  
 invoices, phytosanitary certificates and other information that substantiate the origin and 
the phytosanitary status of all incoming plant material  
 results of the inspection of incoming plant material  
 results of internal audits and external audit s 
 records of examination during production including any pests, damage or symptoms 
detected and corrective actions taken  
 records of examination of outgoing plant material, including type and quantity of material  
exported  
 copies of phytosanitary certificates for plant material exported by the place of production  
 records of pest management measures taken to prevent or control pests (including 
method of application, product applied, dosage and date of application and results of 
their application)  
 records of non -compliances identified and the corrective or preventative actions taken  
 records of training of staff and their qualifications  
3.3  Non-conformity with  requirements for the place of production  
• Non-conformity  
-Critical non -conformity  
-Non-critical non –conformity  
 
• Non-conformities detected during internal audits  
• Non-conformities detected during NPPO audit  
 
Places of production must meet the requirements of the pest management program agreed to 
by the importing and exporting NPPOs in or der to qualify as an approved place of production.  
The importing NPPO should specify the consequences of non -compliance to the exporting 
NPPO. The exporting NPPO should specify the consequences of non -compliance to the 8 
 participants in the program. Places o f production that do not meet the conditions of the program 
must be suspended. Plants for planting must not be exported from a place of production that 
has failed to meet the program requirements. So Approval of a place of production may be 
suspended pendi ng determination of the non -conformity and what corrective actions are 
necessary to reinstate the eligibility of the place of production. Non -conformity may be due to 
the presence of a regulated pest or to administrative reasons such as mistakes in 
documen tation. Criteria for reinstatement of the eligibility of the exporting place of production, or 
country as the case may be, should be elaborated in a bilateral agreement and also included in 
the exporting country pest management program.  
A list of examples  of non -conformities can be found in Appendix 2 . 
4. Exporting NPPO responsibilities  
The NPPO of the exporting country should provide sufficient information to the NPPO of the 
importing country to support the evaluation and acceptance of export programs. This may 
include:  
 Communicate import country requirements to producers  
 Develop and set up integrated measures  
 Approve places of production  
 Oversee approved places of production  
 Ensure exported plants meet import requirements  
 Carry out export inspections/ issue phytosanitary certificates  
 Provide information on integrated measures upon request  
  Facilitate visits and audits  
 Provide adequate information on relevant pest outbreaks  
A phytosanitary certificate or an equivalent official document should be issued by the exporting 
country when consignments meet the requirements of the NPPO of the importing country. An 
import permit may also be required.  
4.1 Auditing by the Exporting NPPO  
The NPPO should arrange for audits of the exporting system. Audits should verify:  
 that the integrated pest management measures continue to meet the requirements of the 
importing country and/or bilateral arrangements  
5. Importing NPPO responsibilities  
The importing NPPO is responsible for setting technically justified import requirements and  
providing specific information and program requirements, including:  
 Set /communicate technically justified import requirements  
 Notify the NPPO of the exporting country of non -compliances  
 Review approval system and measures  
The importing NPPO is also responsible for the implementation of any agreed measures  in its 
country.  
5.1 Technically justified measures based on:  
 Pest Risk Analysis  9 
  Reliable published information  
 Rapid pest identification method  
 Up-to-date survey and pest lists 
 Effective pest mitigation treatments  
 Surveillance for new pests  
 Good agricultural practice  
5.2   Importing  NPPO Audits  
The importing NPPO should evaluate the integrated pest management measures of the 
exporting NPPO before acceptance. This could consist of documentation review, site visits, and 
inspection and testing of plants produced under the system. Following approval, the importing 
NPPO should monitor and periodically audit the system to ensure that it continues to meet the 
stated objectives.  Audits should include inspection of imported plants for planting, site visits and 
review of the integrated measures of the exporting NPPO and internal audit processes. This 
may include:  
 The importing NPPO may request audit reports.  
 The importing NPPO may also audit the integrated measures set up by the exporting 
NPPO including site visits.  
 Timely notification.  
 This audit may include visits to sites where there is specific justification, for example in 
cases of non - compliance  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 10 
 Annex  1: Factors affecting pest risk of plants for planting  
The factors should be considered by the importing NPPO when conducting a PRA to identify the 
appropriate combination of measures to meet its phytosanitary requirements. These factors 
should also be con sidered by the exporting NPPO when establishing measures to be taken at 
places of production participating in an integrated measures approach to ensure plants for 
planting meet the importing country’s phytosanitart requirements.   
Plants for planting are generally considered as presenting a higher risk of pest introduction than 
other commodities, especially as:  
 the pests can survive, and possibly reproduce, on their living hosts or in the soil during 
transport of the commodity;  
 once at destination, the plants will remain planted or be replanted. The pest may survive 
on the plant it was introduced on and might transfer to a suitable host if the conditions 
are suitable, especially if the plants for planting are grown outdoors.  
 
Plant -related factors that affect pest risk  
The categories of plants for planting covered include :  
 bare root plants (soil free)  
 plants rooted in pots  
 bulbs, tubers, corms, rhizomes  
 rooted  cuttings (rooted or not)  
 budwood/graftwood  
 meristem tissue culture/i n vitro culture.  
 
 
Other factors  
 
Large plants  
Risk also increases with size because larger plants have a larger surface area exposed to pests 
and may also be more difficult to inspect and treat. The  size of the plants has an impact on the 
ability of the pests to infest the plant, feed on it and hide on it and on the difficulties to inspect 
the plants. Large plants are also more likely to have larger quantities of soil or growing medium 
attached to ro ots 
 
Age of plants/exposure time  
In addition, risk increases with age, as older plants have had longer exposure to potential pests. 
Older plants are exposed to pests for longer than young plants in the country of origin and are 
also more likely to be infes ted (at higher levels) by pests.  Young plants produced in glasshouses 
might present a lesser risk.  
Production -related factors that affect pest risk  
How plants for planting are produced can influence the level of pest risk. Some factors include:  
(1) growing media  
(2) irrigation method and water source  
(3) growing conditions  11 
 (4) mixing of different plant species.  
The presence of growing medium, especially soil, may lead to the transport of many types of 
pests, including nematodes, fungi, insects an d invasive plants. In general, use of soil as a 
growing medium is likely to pose a greater risk than a soil -free medium because soil may carry 
soil-borne pathogens, insects or nematodes. Sterilization or pasteurization of the growing 
medium prior to planti ng may manage  some risk.  
The source and quality of irrigation water can affect pest risk. For certain pests spread by water, 
surface water may pose a greater pest risk than treated water. Likewise the method of irrigation 
may produce microclimates or condi tions favourable for pest growth and spread.  
Factors affecting pest risk  
S.N. Growing conditions  Remarks  
1 Growth chamber /Phytotron  Ranked from lowest to highest 
pest risk (1→6)  2 Greenhouse  
3 Screen house  
4 Field grown in containers (Pots, tubs etc.)  
5 Field grown  
6 Plants collected from the wild  
 
Intended use factors  
 
 Perennial/annual  
 
A perennial or biennial plant will allow survival of the pest for a longer period, and improve 
chances for further multiplication and spread.  
 
 indoor/outdoor  
 
An annual plant which is not intended for propagation and will be grown indoors gives a smaller 
chance to a pest to establish.  
 
 
Intended uses that affect risk  
 
S.N. Plants for planting  Remarks  
1 Plants not intended for continuous growing (Annuals)  Ranked  from lowest to highest 
risk (1→3)  2 Plants for continuous growing (Perennials)  
3 Plants for propagation.  
 
 
 
 
 
 12 
  
 
Appendix  1: Examples of pest management measures to reduce the pest risk of 
plants  for planting at a place of production  
 
Table 1.  Categorized by pest group  
 
S.N. Pest group  
 Available measures  
 
1 Pests causing latent 
infections and those that are 
likely to be transmitted by 
plants for planting without 
signs or symptoms  
 
 -Derivation  from mother plants that have been tested 
and found free from the relevant pest  
-Isolation from sources of infestation (e.g. buffer zone or 
geographical distance from other host plants, physical 
isolation using a glasshouse or polytunnel, isol ation in 
time (e.g. growing season) from a source of infestation 
(temporal isolation))  
-Testing of samples of the plants for freedom from pests  
-Production  within a specified certification  scheme or 
clean stock programme that controls the relevant pest s  
-Use of indicator plants  
-Production of  tissue  cultures (including  meristem tip 
cultures) which may eliminate pathogens.  
 
2 Pests having stages and 
symptoms that are visible 
during the growing season  
 -Growing season inspection for freedom from pests or 
symptoms (e.g.at timed  intervals, for example monthly  
for the  three  months before export or at different 
growth stages)  
-Growing season inspection of the mother plants  
-Inspection after harvest to meet a specified tolerance 
level for a pest (e.g. tolerance for bulb rots by 
fungi/bacteria)  
-Pesticide applications  
-Ensuring appropriate conditions for symptom expression  
-Production  within a specified certification  sche me or 
clean stock programme that controls the relevant pests.  
3 Pests spread by contact  
 
 -Prevention of contact with sources of infestation (e.g. 
other plants)  
-Hygiene measures for handling pruning tools and 
equipment between different batches/lots  
-Planning of activities in the place of production to work 
with plants of higher health first  
-Use  of dedicated  clothing and  equipment in  isolated 
places (e.g. screen houses)  13 
 -Pesticide applications  
-Isolation from sources of infestation (e.g. buffer zone or 
geographical  distance from other host plants, physical 
isolation using a glasshouse  or polytunnel, temporal 
isolation).  
 
4 Pests transmitted by vectors  
 
 -Isolation from sources of infestation (e.g. buffer zone or 
geographical distance from other host plants, physical 
isolation using a glasshouse or polytunnel, temporal 
isolation)  
-Pre-planting soil testing for  freedom from  or to meet a  
tolerance for so il-borne pests or their vectors  
-Pesticide treatments for control of insect vectors of pests 
(e.g.aphids  
5 Pests spread by wind  
 -Isolation from sources of infestation (e.g. buffer zone or 
geographical distance from other host plants, physical 
isolation using a glasshouse or polytunnel)  
-Pesticide applications  
6 Pests spread by water  -Use of uncontaminated water sources, free of p ests  
-Irrigation water to be disinfected or sterilized before use 
or reuse  
-Isolation from sources of infestation (e.g. buffer zone or 
geographical distance from other host plants, physical 
isolation using a glasshouse or polytunnel, temporal 
isolation).  
 
7 Soil-borne pests able to  
colonize the plant  
 -Isolation from sources of infestation (e.g. buffer zone or 
geographical distance from other host plants, physical 
isolation using a glasshouse or polytunnel, growth of 
plants on raised benches, temporal isolation)  
-Derivation  from mother plants that hav e been tested 
and found free from the relevant pest  
-Production  within a specified certification  scheme or 
clean stock programme  
-Testing of samples of the plants for freedom from pests  
-Pre-planting soil treatment or testing for freedom from 
pests su ch as fungi, nematodes, viruses transmissible 
by nematodes  
-Use of soil -less growing media.  
 
8 Soil-borne pests in growing  
medium attached to plants  
 -Growing medium to be sterilized before use  
-Use of inert growing media  
-Use of soil -less growing media  14 
  -Isolation from sources of infestation, maintenance of 
plants in such a way that contact with soil is prevented 
(e.g. on raised benches)  
-Pesticide treatment (e.g. drench or fumigation) prior to 
export  
-Roots washed free  from growing medium  (and repotted 
in  sterile growing medium in a sterile container).  
 
9 Soil-borne pests in soil  
attached to plants  
 -Isolation from sources of infestation (e.g. buffer zone or 
geographical distance from other host plants, temporal 
isolation)  
-Pre-planting soil treatment  or testing for freedom from 
pests (especially nematodes, fungi)  
-Pesticide treatment (e.g. drench or fumigation) prior to 
export  
-Roots washed free from soil (and repotted in sterile 
growing medium in a sterile container).  
 
 
 
Table 2. Based on the type of plant materials  
S. 
N. Type of plant broadly  
ranked according to 
pests  risk 
 Examples of pest types  
 Available measures  
 
1 Meristem culture and in 
vitro culture  
 Viruses and virus -like 
diseases, bacteria, fungi, 
stem nematodes, mites 
and insects  
 -Derivation  from mother plants that  
have  been  tested  and found free  
from the relevant pest  
-Cultivation  in sterile medium 
under sealed aseptic conditions  
-Testing of samples of the plants 
for freedom from pests.  
 
2 Budwood/graftwood  
 Bacteria and viruses, fungi,  
insects and other pests  
 See groups 1 to 7 in Table 1  
 
 
3 Unrooted cuttings  
 Insects, viruses, bacteria, 
fungi and other pests  
 See groups 1 to 7 in Table 1  
-Hot water treatment.  
 
4 Rooted cuttings  
 Nematodes, insects, 
viruses and bacteria and 
other pests  
 Measures depend inter alia  on the 
pest risk of the growing medium 
used.  
See groups 1 to 7 in Table 1  
 15 
 5 Bulbs and tubers, root  
fragments, root  
cuttings,rootlets or 
rhizomes  
 Nematodes, viruses, 
bacteria,fungi, insects and 
other pests  
 
 See groups 1 to 7 Table 1  
Hot water dipping to control 
nematodes  
6 Bare root plants  
 Nematodes and all other 
pests of  the aerial plant 
part  
 See groups 1 to 7 in Table 1  
 
7 Plants in growing 
media excluding soil  
 Nematodes and all other 
pests of  the aerial plant 
part  
 See groups 1 to 8 in Table 1  
 
8 Plants in soil  
 Nematodes and all other 
pests of  the aerial plant 
part  
 See groups 1 to 9 in Table 1  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 16 
  
 
Appendix  2: Examples of non -conformity  
Examples of non -conformity may include the following:  
(1) detection of quarantine pests or regulated  non -quarantine pests (above set 
tolerance levels) of  concern to the importing country on plants in or from the place 
of production  
(2) failure to  unde rtake required laboratory  tests or  analyses  or  correctly  follow  
procedures to identify pests  
(3) failure to carry out control measures at the place of production for regulated pests  
(4) failure  to notify  the  NPPO of the  exporting country  of th e  presence of regulated  
pests at the place of production  
(5) export  of  ineligible plant  taxa, plants  from  non -authorized origins, or  plants not 
meeting  phytosanitary import requirements  
(6) failure  to correctly  list the  botanical  names of all the  plants  on  documents  
accompanying consignments  
(7) failure  to keep consistent  pest management records as required in the  place  of 
production  manual and pest management programme  
(8) failure to keep consistent records of country of origin of plant material  
(9) failure to undertake ordered corrective actions within the specified time period  
(10) failure to perform internal audits as required  
(11) operating without adequately  trained pe rsonnel, designated responsible  person 
or plant protection specialist  
(12) significant modification  of  the  place of production manual or  pest management 
practices  without prior approval from the NPPO of the exporting country  
(13) failure to examine  incoming or outgoing plant material  
(14) failure to keep plants for planting that have been examined for export separate 
from other plant   material that has not been examined  
(15) failure to maintain an effective pest management programme  
(16) failure  to maintain sanitation management practices at the place of production  17 
 (17) failure to periodically provide personnel with relevant training  
(18) failure  to maintain an up -to-date list  and training records  of  all personnel 
involved in  implementing the place of production manual  
(19) failure to consistently sign and date reports or records  
(20) failure to record relevant changes to the lists of plant taxa produced, their location 
in the place of production and the plant material to be exported  
(21) failure to detect and record low -level populations of pests  
(22) failure to inform the NPPO of the  exporting country of any changes to 
management practices outlined in the place of production manual.