The European Commission has recently published an implementing regulation containing measures to prevent the introduction and spread in the Union of the Tomato brown rugose fruit virus (ToBRFV).
The regulation establishes strict measures for seeds and plant material for the planting of Solanum lycopersicum L. and Capsicum spp., regardless of their origin, and for production sites that are considered virus-free. There are two exceptions to the new regulation: certain varieties of Capsicum spp. that are resistant to the virus, and plants already grown in accordance with Implementing Decision (EU) 2019/1615, which is replaced by the new Regulation.
For the detection and identification of the virus, real-time PCR methods are more reliable and effective than the ELISA method, the use of which is still accepted until October 1, 2020.
The new regulation says that the frequency of sampling and testing of the specified seeds and specified plants for planting should not be lower than 20 %. In the Annex, the Regulation establishes the sampling systems and the test methods to detect and identify the pest in seeds and plants for planting.
The regulation, which entered into force last Saturday, will apply until May 31, 2022.
Source: fepex.es