Add of hosts of Potato spindle tuber viroid (PSTVd)

The Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency (APQA), Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (MAFRA) in the Republic of Korea, has added host plants of Potato spindle tuber viroid (PSTVd), as a one of the prohibited quarantine pests of Korea, which is based on the result of Pest Risk Analysis (PRA).

The import of seeds for sowing, fresh stems and leaves, and living and fresh underground parts of host plants from the specified regions or countries will be prohibited from the consignments with Phytosanitary Certificate, shipped on and after 14 May 2023. The information of prohibited host plants and regions/countries about Potato spindle tuber viroid (PSTVd) is detailed in the attachment 1 (available in English).https://members.wto.org/crnattachments/2023/SPS/KOR/23_8524_00_e.pdf-       Add Petunia spp. and Solanum betaceum to the list of prohibited hosts from restricted regions or countries.-       Among the host plants from prohibited regions or countries where PSTVd has been distributed will be permitted on condition as follows:o    Import will be permitted on condition of either (1) or (2):(1)  By certifying that the exported seeds are produced in areas, places or production sites free from Potato spindle tuber viroid. Each consignment must be accompanied by the Phytosanitary Certificate endorsed with the following additional declaration:"The seeds are produced from pest free area, places or production site for Potato spindle tuber viroid by establishing and maintaining the pest free status in accordance with ISPM No. 4 or No. 10."(2)  By certifying that the export seeds are free from Potato spindle tuber viroid through PCR test before export. Each consignment must be accompanied by Phytosanitary Certificate endorsed with the following additional declaration:"The seeds were tested by PCR before export and found free from Potato spindle tuber viroid."o    Or each consignment should be accompanied by the Phytosanitary Certificate and a separate "PCR Inspection Certificate" (available in English, see attachment 2, https://members.wto.org/crnattachments/2023/SPS/KOR/23_8524_01_e.pdf). PCR test results from public testing agencies and labs authorized by the NPPO (educational organizations, commercial testing labs or seed industry labs etc.) will be accepted.* If the PCR test certificate is accompanied, the copy of authorization of the testing agencies or labs issued by the NPPO of an export country and the electrophoresis report of PCR test would be required.