2000/325/EC: Commission Decision of 11 May 2000 authorising Member States to take measures provisionally against the introduction into, and the spread within the Community of Pepino mosaic virus as regards tomato plants, intended for planting, other than seeds (notified under document number C(2000) 1312)

Commission Decision
of 11 May 2000
authorising Member States to take measures provisionally against the introduction into, and the spread within the Community of Pepino mosaic virus as regards tomato plants, intended for planting, other than seeds
(notified under document number C(2000) 1312)
(2000/325/EC)
THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES
,
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community,
Having regard to Council Directive 77/93/EEC of 21 December 1976 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), as last amended by Commission Directive 1999/53/EC(2), and in particular Article 15(3) thereof,
Whereas:
(1) Where a Member State considers that there is a danger of spreading a harmful organism not listed in Annex I or Annex II to Directive 77/93/EEC and whose presence was previously unknown in its territory, it may temporarily take any additional measures necessary to protect itself from that danger.
(2) The United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Germany and France informed the other Member States and the Commission on 19 October 1999, 12 November 1999, 13 January 2000 and 17 February 2000 respectively of recent outbreaks of Pepino mosaic virus on tomato crops, in their respective countries and on the measures taken to control it with the aim of eradication.
(3) It is known that Pepino mosaic virus was first described in Peru on pepino, Solanum muricatum Ait. in 1980; there is no evidence that it has been detected outside Peru, until it appeared in the Community pursuant to the aforesaid information; however the source of contamination has not yet been clarified.
(4) Pepino mosaic virus is currently not listed in Annex I or Annex II to Directive 77/93/EEC; however, a preliminary pest risk analysis based on available scientific information has demonstrated that Pepino mosaic virus and its damaging effects could be of significant plant health concern to the Community, in particular for protected tomato production; the risk to outdoor production of tomatoes and of other Solanaceae crops, especially potatoes, has not yet fully been established. The relevant services in the Member States have been asked to continue scientific work and to deliver an opinion on the risk of Pepino mosaic virus to outdoor production of tomatoes and of other Solanaceae crops.
(5) Directive 77/93/EEC prohibits the introduction of plants of Solanaceae, intended for planting, other than seeds and other than those covered by Annex III, part A, points 10, 11 or 12 thereof, originating in third countries, other than European and Mediterranean countries.
(6) On the basis of the precautionary principle, it is therefore necessary provisionally to take specific measures against the spread within the Community of Pepino mosaic virus.
(7) These specific measures should apply to the introduction or the spread of Pepino mosaic virus, the production and the movements of tomato plants, intended for planting, other than seeds and to a more general monitoring for the presence or continued absence of Pepino mosaic virus in the Member States.
(8) The results of the above measures will be continually assessed in 2000 and 2001, in particular on the basis of information to be provided by the Member States. Possible subsequent measures will be considered in the light of the results of that assessment, and the scientific opinion delivered by the relevant services of the Member States.
(9) The measures provided for in this Decision are in accordance with the opinion of the Standing Committee on Plant Health,