Emergency measures to mitigate the risk of introducing Tomato mottle mosaic virus from India

To prevent the introduction of Tomato mottle mosaic virus (ToMMV)into Japan, MAFF has taken emergency measures for the host plants of ToMMVfrom India. The measures are taken as follows: (1) For seeds:The plants must fulfill the following specific requirement AND the phytosanitary certificate or the certified copy of the phytosanitary certificate must include additional declaration.EitherThe samples randomly taken from parent plants and ones with suspected symptoms are tested by an appropriate genetic method such as RT-PCR assay and found to be free from Tomato mottle mosaic virus;orThe seeds are tested prior to export by an appropriate genetic method such as RT-PCR assay and found to be free from Tomato mottle mosaic virus; 4,600 seeds are randomly taken from a lot as samples in accordance with the International Seed Testing Association (ISTA) procedures; or in case that the number of seeds of a lot is less than 46,000, 10% of the seeds are used for the testing; they are divided into at most 400 seeds for RT-PCR as sub-samples.(2) For Live plants and plant parts for planting (excluding seeds and fruits):The plants must fulfill the following specific requirement AND the phytosanitary certificate or the certified copy of the phytosanitary certificate must include additional declaration.The plants randomly taken from a lot and plants with suspected symptoms are tested during the growing season or prior to export by an appropriate genetic method such as RT-PCR assay and found to be free from Tomato mottle mosaic virus.In addition, National Plant Protection Organizations (NPPO) of India will be required to include an additional declaration stating that “Fulfills item 41 of the Annexed Table 2-2 of the Ordinance for Enforcement of the Plant Protection Act (MAF Ordinance No73/1950).