Phytophthora ramorum - new measures agreed in Brussels
At its February meeting, the Plant Health Standing Committee in Brussels agreed limited new measures to protect the European Community against Phytophthora ramorum.
Based on the recommendations of the expert working group, chaired by the UK's Dr David Slawson, the Standing Committee concluded that the available scientific evidence justifies the continuation of the emergency measures without major amendment until research, in particular the findings of the EU "RAPRA" project, is completed later this year. A challenging timescale for a further review of the measures by the end of the year was considered justified because of the importance of the emergency measures to the protection of the environment and also because of the continuing efforts that the measures require from the ornamental plant nursery industry.
Some amendment to the emergency measures was considered necessary in the interim because of the lack of a consistent effect on the number of findings of Phytophthora ramorum on plants moving in trade in the Community. These measures, which will come into effect on 1 May 2007 include:
- Increase the number of official visits to plant passporting nurseries
to at least two (currently only one visit is required).
- On finding Phytophthora ramorum at places of production,
require the destruction of associated growing media and plant debris,
in addition to the destruction of infected plants.
- Require hygiene measures after destruction action has been taken at places of production.
Dr Slawson explained that "the measures are based on the current practice in the UK, where we appear to have had more success than elsewhere at reducing the amount of disease moving around on susceptible nursery stock . He added that "agreement of these measures also represents a major success in ensuring a consistent approach across the whole European Community".
Page last modified:
13 Feb 2007
Page published: 13 Feb 2007