2454 final report.pdf - Agra CEAS Consulting

Evaluation of the Community Plant Health Regime: Final Report
DG SANCO Evaluation Framework Contract Lot 3 (Food Chain)
Although emergency measures are quicker to adopt and more flexible as legal instruments (in
that they can be adopted and modified at the level of SCPH, thus more swiftly), ultimately
Control Directives, such as those adopted in the potato sector, have demonstrated their value as a
more effective containment approach. As mentioned in the introduction of this section, the
overall view from the general survey, confirmed by the expert interviews and field visits is that
the CPHR has been partly successful in preventing the entry, establishment and spread of HOs in
the EU. In the case of the potato diseases, however, the control measures taken are considered to
have been largely effective.
Control measures for potato seed are being seen as largely effective; in particular the measures
for bacteria ring rot (Clavibacter michiganense ssp. sepedonicus) and brown rot (Ralstonia
solanacearum). The effectiveness of these measures is unequivocally and consistently
demonstrated by the improvement in the reduction of the number of outbreaks, year on year.
Interviewees have reported that critical success factors for these measures are deemed to have
been:
The adoption and implementation of very strict measures swiftly after the outbreak, with
strict provisions in the infested fields and refined methods for analysis procedures, and
movement restrictions (these apply for 4 years). For example, the Control Directive on brown
rot has been quickly established (within 1 year).
The adoption and implementation of very strict measures for imports (e.g. Egypt). Potato
brown rot is considered by the interviewees as being the strictest piece of import control
legislation the EU has in place. Imports of Egyptian seed potatoes are prohibited but there is
a derogation for ware potatoes and currently with six interceptions of lots in one season the
market is closed for the remaining part of that season.
The application of common procedures through Control Directives including detailed
obligations with very little freedom for interpretation leads to harmonisation. The detail of
measures to be taken and the stringent features are an important element of success;
The fact that this is a commercial crop and therefore producers/growers and industry are
concerned and economically motivated to act;
An integrated approach to the control of quarantine diseases at the level of the complete plant
production chain is facilitated in case of potatoes compared to the majority of other crops.
The seed potato chain is highly integrated and rather limited in terms of the number of actors
present in this supply chain. Additionally this supply chain involves actors with rather similar
interests;
The potato supply chain can afford to pay for all inspection and testing costs as the value of
the crop is rather high;
As the supply chain and number of actors are quite limited in potatoes, communication and
coordination between stakeholders (growers, seed producers, traders and NPPOs) have
helped to streamline the process.
All MS and the vast majority of stakeholders agree that the CPHR needs to be revised to focus
more on prevention and early action, which is considered to remain the most cost-efficient
approach for plant health management:
Food Chain Evaluation Consortium 148