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Summary of Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2024/2632

The European Commission has issued Implementing Regulation (EU) 2024/2632 on 8 October 2024, which amends the previous Implementing Regulation (EU) 2022/1193. This regulation focuses on enhancing measures to eradicate and prevent the spread of Ralstonia solanacearum (Smith 1896) Yabuuchi et al. 1996 emend. Safni et al. 2014, a harmful plant pest known to cause significant damage to solanaceous crops such as potatoes and tomatoes.

Key Amendments Introduced

1. Inclusion of Water Liable to be Infected

The regulation extends the scope of measures to not only water confirmed to be infected but also water that is liable to be infected by Ralstonia solanacearum. This includes:

• Subjecting water liable to be infected to provisions regarding confirmation of the pest’s presence.
• Designating items as probably infected based on new elements.
• Implementing eradication measures for water liable to be infected.
• Considering water liable to be infected when determining possible spread of the pest.

2. Measures Within Demarcated Areas

Within demarcated areas where the pest is present, the regulation mandates that both water confirmed to be infected and water liable to be infected are subject to specific control measures. These measures aim to prevent further spread within and beyond these areas.

3. Role of Professional Operators

The regulation assigns greater responsibility to professional operators in the eradication and control efforts. Specifically:

• Professional operators are required to destroy or appropriately dispose of infected specified plants under the official supervision of competent authorities.
• This approach acknowledges the practical challenges faced by authorities in accessing all affected locations and leverages the capacity of operators to implement measures effectively.

4. Amendments to the Survey Reporting Template (Annex II)

The regulation revises Annex II, which contains the template for presenting survey results. Key changes include:

• Improving the template’s practicality and efficacy for reporting.
• Removing data fields that do not provide significant information, such as sampling period data for certain potato tubers.
• Reordering columns to reflect the chronological order of actions, placing visual inspections before laboratory test results.
• Distinguishing between laboratory testing results from samples taken during visual inspections of growing crops and those from tubers in storage.
• Adding columns for laboratory testing of water to enhance accuracy in reporting.
• Transferring the column for positive visual inspections under laboratory tests for clearer presentation.
• Separating results for symptomatic and asymptomatic samples to better understand latent infections and potential spread.
• Eliminating data fields that are redundant due to existing requirements elsewhere in the regulation.

5. Specific Amendments to Articles and Annexes

The regulation makes precise changes to various articles and annexes of Implementing Regulation (EU) 2022/1193:

• Article 5(4), second subparagraph, point (b): Updated to include water liable to be infected when considering elements for designation.
• Article 6(1), first subparagraph: Professional operators must ensure infected specified plants are destroyed or disposed of under official supervision.
• Annex IV: Adjustments to elements for designating items as probably infected and determining possible spread, including references to water liable to be infected.
• Annex V, point 4.2(2): Amendments to measures concerning surface water designated as infected or liable to be infected, introducing certain derogations under specific conditions.

6. Introduction of Derogations

The regulation allows for derogations (exceptions) in specific circumstances:

• Member States may decide not to conduct annual surveys of surface water designated as infected or liable to be infected if there is no indication of a change in pest status within the demarcated area.
• The use of water subject to a ban may be permitted in greenhouses for irrigation and spraying of tomato plants and other host plants intended for final consumption and processing, provided the water is disinfected or found free from the pest after intensive sampling and testing.

Implementation and Enforcement

The regulation stipulates that it will enter into force on the twentieth day following its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union. It is binding in its entirety and directly applicable in all Member States, ensuring uniform implementation across the European Union.

Conclusion

Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2024/2632 strengthens the measures against Ralstonia solanacearum by broadening the scope to include water liable to be infected, refining roles and responsibilities of professional operators, and enhancing the effectiveness of survey reporting. These amendments aim to improve the detection, control, and eradication of this harmful plant pest within the Union territory.

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