Article 2
1.Member States shall conduct systematic official surveys for the organism on tubers and, where appropriate, on plants of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) originating in their territory, for the confirmation of absence of the organism.
For these surveys, in the case of tubers samples of both seed and other potatoes shall be taken, preferably from lots in store and subjected to official or officially supervised laboratory testing using the method set out in Annex I for the detection and diagnosis of the organism. In addition, where appropriate, official or officially supervised visual inspection by cutting of tubers on other samples may be done.
In the case of plants, these surveys shall be carried out according to appropriate methods and the samples shall be subjected to appropriate official or officially supervised testing.
The number, origin, stratification and timing of collection of samples shall be decided by the responsible official bodies within the meaning of Directive 77/93/EEC based on sound scientific and statistical principles and the biology of the organism, and taking into account the particular potato production systems of the Member States concerned. The details thereof shall be submitted annually to the other Member States and the Commission, with a view to ensuring comparable levels of assurance between Member States for confirmation of the absence of the organism.
2.The results of the official surveys provided for in paragraph 1 shall be notified at least once a year to the other Member States and to the Commission. The details of this notification shall be confidential. They may be submitted to the Committee in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 16a of Directive 77/93/EEC.
3.The following provisions may be adopted in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 16a of Directive 77/93/EEC;
the details of surveys provided for in paragraph 1 above, to be carried out in accordance with sound scientific and statistical principles,
the details of the notification provided for in paragraph 2 above.
4.The following provisions shall be adopted in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 16a of Directive 77/93/EEC:
the appropriate method for the surveys and the testing provided for in the third subparagraph of paragraph 1 above.