The Potatoes Originating in Egypt (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2002

Explanatory Note

(This note is not part of the Regulations.)

These Regulations implement in Northern Ireland Commission Decision 2001/664/EC (O.J. No. L233, 31.8.2001, p. 49) amending Commission Decision 96/301/EC (O.J. No. L115, 9.5.1996, p. 47) (“the Decision”) authorising Member States temporarily to take emergency measures against the dissemination of Pseudomonas solanacearum (Smith) Smith as regards Egypt. They do so by adding to the list of instruments amending the Decision contained in the Schedule to the Potatoes Originating in Egypt Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1998 (S.R. 1998 No. 107) (“the Regulations”) (regulation 2(4)). Pseudomonas solanacearum (Smith) Smith is now referred to as Ralstonia solanacearum Smith (Yabuuchi) et al. (see Council Directive 98/57/EC (O.J. No. L235, 20.7.1998, p. 1)) albeit that the reference to it in the Decision has not been amended. Decision 2001/664/EC renews the framework within which potatoes may be imported from Egypt into the territory of the European Community during the 2001/2002 season.

These Regulations also clarify the basis on which powers of inspectors under the Plant Health Order (Northern Ireland) 1993 may be used in respect of the Regulations (regulation 2(2)), and increase the fee payable by importers from whose potatoes samples are taken for testing for the presence of Ralstonia solanacearum Smith (Yabuuchi) et al. (regulation 2(3)). The fee increase from £35·00 to £37·50 reflects a rise in laboratory costs and is in line with inflation.