2014/679/EU: Commission Implementing Decision of 25 September 2014 amending Implementing Decision 2012/270/EU as regards its period of application and as regards the movement to packing facilities of potato tubers originating in areas demarcated in order to prevent the spread within the Union of Epitrix cucumeris (Harris), Epitrix similaris (Gentner), Epitrix subcrinita (Lec.) and Epitrix tuberis (Gentner) (notified under document C(2014) 6731)

27.9.2014 EN Official Journal of the European Union L 283/61
COMMISSION IMPLEMENTING DECISION
of 25 September 2014
amending Implementing Decision 2012/270/EU as regards its period of application and as regards the movement to packing facilities of potato tubers originating in areas demarcated in order to prevent the spread within the Union of Epitrix cucumeris (Harris), Epitrix similaris (Gentner), Epitrix subcrinita (Lec.) and Epitrix tuberis (Gentner)
(notified under document C(2014) 6731)
(2014/679/EU)
THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION
,
Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,
Having regard to Council Directive 2000/29/EC 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 (1), and in particular the fourth sentence of Article 16(3) thereof,
Whereas:
(1) Commission Implementing Decision 2012/270/EU (2) provides for emergency measures to prevent the introduction into and the spread within the Union of Epitrix cucumeris (Harris), Epitrix similaris (Gentner), Epitrix subcrinita (Lec.) and Epitrix tuberis (Gentner).
(2) The development of the situation since Implementing Decision 2012/270/EU took effect has shown that the measures it provides for are efficacious and should continue to apply. Therefore, it is appropriate that that Implementing Decision applies without a limitation of time.
(3) Experience shows that it is necessary to grant greater flexibility as regards the facility where the potato tubers undergo treatment ensuring that no more than 0,1 % of soil remains on them and that the specified organisms are removed. Therefore, it should be permitted that those tubers are moved outside the demarcated areas before that treatment takes place. The movement to those facilities should, however, be subject to requirements ensuring that the respective phytosanitary risk is reduced to acceptable levels.
(4) In order to ensure that the specified organisms cannot establish or spread outside a demarcated area, requirements should be established concerning disposal of the relevant waste soil and other waste material. For the same purpose, requirements should also be established concerning vehicles and packaging for the transport or handling of those potato tubers before they move outside the demarcated area or from a packing facility located outside that area. It is also necessary that machinery used for the handling of potato tubers in the packing facilities located outside demarcated areas is cleaned to avoid infestation of other potatoes handled by the same machinery.
(5) In order to facilitate control by Member States of the packing outside a demarcated area of potato tubers originating in such an area, it is important that packing facilities located outside demarcated areas are authorised for that purpose and required to keep records of the potato tubers handled which originate in demarcated areas.
(6) Implementing Decision 2012/270/EU should therefore be amended accordingly.
(7) The measures provided for in this Decision are in accordance with the opinion of the Standing Committee on Plants, Animals, Food and Feed,