This Directive amends existing EU legislation regarding the control of plant pests in seeds and plant reproductive material. It specifically addresses two main pests: the Tobacco ringspot virus affecting soybean seeds and the Tomato brown rugose fruit virus (ToBRFV) affecting tomato and pepper plants. The Directive establishes a zero-tolerance threshold for these pests in seeds and plant material.The Directive modifies three existing legal acts: Council Directives 2002/55/EC and 2002/57/EC, and Commission Directive 93/61/EEC. The changes include new requirements for pest control in vegetable seeds, oil and fibre plant seeds, and vegetable propagating material. The amendments introduce specific measures for controlling Tobacco ringspot virus in Glycine max (soybean) and ToBRFV in tomato and pepper plants.Key provisions include:
- A 0% tolerance threshold for Tobacco ringspot virus in all categories of soybean seeds
- A 0% tolerance threshold for ToBRFV in tomato and pepper seeds and plants, except for varieties known to be resistant to ToBRFV
- New requirements for vegetable propagating and planting material regarding ToBRFV control
- Implementation deadline for Member States set at May 31, 2025
