Defra

Commission decision 2002/757/EC on Phytophthora ramorum has now been amended, by Decision 2004/426/EC.

The principal changes are:

1. Amendment of the list of host plants to add Aesculus hippocastanum, Arbutus unedo, Camellia spp, Castanea sativa, Fagus sylvatica, Hamamelis virginiana, Kalmia latifolia, Leucothoe fontanesiana, Pieris spp, Pseudotsuga menziesii, Sequioa sempervirens, Syringa vulgaris, Trientalis latifolia and Vaccinium vitis-idaea to the existing list. These additions will be reflected on the phytosanitary certificates with third country imports.

2. Addition of Camellia spp. to the list of plants requiring plant passports.

3. Restriction of the plant passport requirement to plants for planting, thus removing the requirement for foliage to be passported.

4. Clarification that member states’ surveys must cover cultivated and uncultivated plants.

5. A requirement for member states to contain the organism when it is found at places other than places of production.