Forestry and Plant Health

Scottish Executive Environment and Rural Affairs Department

THE PLANT HEALTH (GREAT BRITAIN) ORDER 1993

NOTICE OF ENDING OF DEMARCATED ZONE FOR THE CONTROL OF RALSTONIA SOLANACEARUM (SMITH) YABUUCHI ET AL.

1.  The presence of Ralstonia solanacearum (Smith) Yabuuchi et al., the bacterium which causes potato brown rot, has not been found to be present in samples of surface water taken pursuant to paragraph 4.2(a)(ab) of Annex VI to Directive 98/57/EC of 20 July 1998 on the control of Ralstonia solanacearum (Smith) Yabuuchi et al.

2.  As a result I, Bill Aiken, being an inspector authorised by the Scottish Ministers for the purpose of the Plant Health (Great Britain) Order 1993 (S.I. 1993/1320) as amended (“the Order”) give notice that I am ending the demarcated zone “the zone” specified below in accordance with paragraph 3 of article 23A of the Order (article 23A was inserted by the Plant Health (Amendment) (Scotland) Order 1999 (S.S.I. 1999/22)):

  River Tay, Perthshire—from its confluence with the River Isla downstream until it meets tidal waters.

3.  The ending of the zone takes effect from 1 April 2005. From 1 April 2005, the provision of paragraph 11 of Schedule 13A to the Order (Schedule 13A was also inserted by S.S.I. 1999/22) shall cease to apply to the zone. The areas of surface water which were designated as contaminated and to which the prohibition on irrigation and spraying of potato and tomato crops in paragraph 11(b)(i) to (iii) of Schedule 13A to the Order applied, are therefore no longer designated.

4.  Further sampling of the surface water from the zone will take place in 2005 pursuant to Article 2 of the Directive. If these samples, or samples taken in any subsequent years, confirm the presence of Ralstonia solanacearum (Smith) Yabuuchi et al., the Scottish Ministers may again demarcate the zone or any part of the zone.

5.  If you should require any further advice please contact SEERAD, Central Area Office, Strathearn House, Broxden Business Park, Lamberkine Drive, Perth PH1 1RX (Tel 01738 602000).