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Plant Improvement Act, 1976 (Act No. 53 of 1976)

Notices

South African Seed Potato Certification Scheme

10. Requirements with regard to source of potato micro-propagative material

 

(1) Potato micro-propagative material cultivated on a unit must be true to variety.

 

(2) All the potato micro-propagative material must have originated from an in vitro facility approved by the authority.

 

(3) Proof shall be furnished to the satisfaction  of the authority that the potato micro-propagative material is true to variety and that it complies with the phytosanitary status referred to in subsections (4), (5) and (6).

 

(4) Phytosanitary status indicates that the initial potato micro-propagative material (imported clones or newly established clones) has been tested in the controlling laboratory, which laboratory must be approved by the authority as such and registered with the Registrar of Plant Improvement, in accordance with recognised methods and
(a) tested negative for the presence of PLRV, TSWV and Potato Viruses X, M, A, S and Y;
(b) tested negative for the presence of Ralstonia spp., and SRE;
(c) is visually free from symptoms characteristic of any other pests; and
(d) tested negative in an enriching medium for general microbial contamination.

 

(5) Subsequent potato micro-propagative material  must have tested negative for the presence of Ralstonia spp. and SRE when transferred to another grower.

 

(6) The authority may at its own discretion, require further tests in respect of potato micro-propagative material before such plantings are registered in terms of section 13.