BAKGRUNN (fra kommisjonsdirektivet)

(1) Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/2072 (4) establishes a list of Union regulated non-quarantine pests (‘RNQPs’). It further sets out requirements for the introduction into, or movement within, the Union territory of certain plants, plant products and other objects, in order to prevent the spread of those pests in the Union territory.

(2) For reasons of consistency, those requirements should be aligned with the respective requirements set out in the Union legislation concerning the marketing of seeds and other propagating and planting material.

(3) On the basis of a methodology developed by the European and Mediterranean Plant Protection Organization (EPPO) (5), Tobacco ringspot virus has been listed in Part H of Annex IV to Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/2072 as an RNQP in relation to seed of oil and fibre plants of Glycine max (L.) Merr., with a 0 % tolerance threshold.

(4) Directive 2002/57/EC establishes a uniform certification scheme for the production and marketing of seed of oil and fibre plants within the Union, including requirements, among others, on the maximum presence of RNQPs in those seeds. Therefore, and in order to align with the provisions of Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/2072, it is necessary to amend that Directive by adding requirements concerning Tobacco ringspot virus for Glycine max (L.) Merr. (soy bean). That amendment should set a tolerance threshold of 0 % for that pest in all seed categories of that species, to ensure consistency with the respective provisions of that Implementing Regulation.

(5) Tomato brown rugose fruit virus (ToBRFV) has been widely spread within the Union territory in the recent years. Moreover, the updated pest risk analysis of EPPO of June 2024 (6) noted that the situation regarding that pest has evolved leading to an increase of its distribution worldwide.

(6) As ToBRFV fulfils the requirements to be qualified as RNQP, it has been listed in Annex IV to Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/2072, through its amendment by Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2024/2970 (7).

(7) ToBRFV has been listed in Parts E and H of Annex IV to Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/2072 as a RNQP in relation to plants for planting of Solanum lycopersicum L. and hybrids thereof, and plants for planting of Capsicum annuum L., other than varieties known to be resistant to ToBRFV, with a 0 % tolerance threshold for its presence on those plants. That pest has been further subjected to the measures set out in Annex V to that Implementing Regulation concerning the introduction into, and movement within, the Union of those plants for planting.

(8) Directive 2002/55/EC establishes requirements for the marketing of vegetable seed within the Union, including, among others, on the presence of RNQPs on those seeds. Therefore, and in order to align with the provisions of Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/2072, it is necessary to amend that Directive, by setting out requirements concerning the presence of ToBRFV on seeds of Capsicum annuum L. (pepper), other than seeds belonging to a variety known to be resistant to ToBRFV, and concerning the presence of that pest on seeds of Solanum lycopersicum L. (tomato) and hybrids thereof. That amendment should set a tolerance threshold of 0 % for the presence of that pest in seeds of these species, to ensure consistency with the respective provisions of Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/2072.

(9) Commission Directive 93/61/EEC (8) establishes the specific conditions and quality standards that vegetable propagating and planting material, excluding seeds, must meet under Council Directive 92/33/EEC (9), including requirements concerning the presence of RNQPs on that material of certain species. In order to align with the provisions of Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/2072, it is necessary to amend that Directive by setting out requirements concerning the presence of ToBRFV on vegetable propagating and planting material, other than seed, of Capsicum annuum L. (pepper), and other than material belonging to a variety known to be resistant to ToBRFV. For the same reason, it is necessary to amend that Directive by setting out requirements concerning the presence of that pest on vegetable propagating and planting material, other than seed, of Solanum lycopersicum L. (tomato) and hybrids thereof. Those amendments should set a tolerance threshold of 0 % for ToBRFV on propagating and planting material other than seeds of those species, to ensure consistency with the respective provisions of Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/2072.

(10) This Directive should apply from 1 June 2025 to grant more time to the competent authorities and the professional operators to adapt to its provisions.

(11) The provisions provided for in this Directive are in accordance with the opinion of the Standing Committee on Plants, Animals, Food and Feed,