The Plant Health (Official Controls and Miscellaneous Provisions) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2019

Additional measures in relation to units of protected crop production

29.—(1) This paragraph applies to the planting of any potato tubers, plants or true seeds in a contaminated unit of protected crop production where it is possible to replace all of the growing medium in the unit.

(2) No person may plant any potato tubers, plants or true seeds, tomato plants or seeds or other host plants of Potato brown rot in the unit without the written authorisation of a plant health inspector.

(3) A plant health inspector may not grant an authorisation under sub-paragraph (2) unless—

(a) all of the measures to eliminate Potato brown rot and to remove all host plants of Potato brown rot which are specified in a notice in relation to the place of production in which the unit is situated have been complied with;

(b) the growing medium in the unit has been completely changed; and

(c) the unit and all of the equipment used on the unit has been cleansed and disinfected to eliminate Potato brown rot and remove all host plant material.

(4) An authorisation under paragraph (2) may—

(a) in relation to potato production, specify that only certified seed potatoes or mini-tubers or micro-plants derived from officially tested sources may be used in the production;

(b) in relation to tomato production, specify that only seed which meets the relevant RNQP requirements or, if vegetatively propagated, tomato plants produced from seed which meets the relevant RNQP requirements and grown under official control, may be used in the production;

(c) prohibit any irrigation or spraying programme at the place of production;

(d) specify how any irrigation or spraying programme at the place of production must be carried out for the purpose of preventing the spread of Potato brown rot.