Council Directive of 15 July 1991 concerning the placing of plant protection products on the market (91/414/EEC) (repealed)

[F1 [F2 10. Definitions and explanations of microbiological terms U.K.

Antibiosis: A relationship between two or more species in which one species is actively harmed (as by the production of toxins by the harming species).

Antigenic: Any substance that, as a result of coming in contact with appropriate cells, induces a state of sensitivity and/or immune responsiveness after a latent period (days to weeks) and which reacts in a demonstrable way with antibodies and/or immune cells of the sensitised subject in vivo or in vitro.

Antimicrobial: Antimicrobial agents or antimicrobial(s) refer to naturally occurring, semi-synthetic or synthetic substances that exhibit antimicrobial activity (kill or inhibit the growth of micro-organisms).

The term Antimicrobial(s) includes:

• antibiotics, which refer to substances produced by or derived from micro-organisms, and

• anticoccidials, which refer to substances that are active against coccidia, single cell protozoan parasites.

CFU: Colony-forming unit; one or more cells that grow to form a single visible colony.

Colonisation: Proliferation and persistence of a micro-organism in an environment, such as on external (skin) or internal body surfaces (intestine, lungs). For colonisation, the micro-organism should at least persist for a longer period than expected in a specific organ. The population of micro-organisms may decline but at a slower rate than normal clearance; it may be a steady population or it may be a growing population. Colonisation can be related to harmless and functional micro-organisms as well as to pathogenic micro-organisms. The possible occurrence of effects is not indicated.

Ecological niche: Unique environmental position occupied by a particular species, perceived in terms of actual physical space occupied and function performed within the community or ecosystem.

Host: An animal (including humans) or plant that harbours or nourishes another organism (parasite).

Host specificity: The range of different host-species that can be colonised by a microbial species or strain. A host-specific micro-organism colonises or has adverse effects on one or only a small number of different host-species. A non-host-specific micro-organism might colonise or might have adverse effects on a broad range of different host-species.

Infection: The introduction or entry of a pathogenic micro-organism into a susceptible host, whether or not it causes pathological effects or disease. The organism must enter the body of the host, usually the cells, and be able to reproduce to form new infective units. Simply ingesting a pathogen does not imply infection.

Infective: Capable of transmitting an infection.

Infectivity: The characteristics of a micro-organism that allow it to infect a susceptible host.

Invasion: The entry of a micro-organism into the host body (e.g. actual penetration of the integument, gut epithelial cells, etc.). ‘ Primary invasiveness ’ is a property of pathogenic micro-organisms.

Multiplication: Ability of a micro-organism to reproduce and increase in numbers during an infection.

Mycotoxin: A fungal toxin.

Non-viable micro-organism: A micro-organism that is not capable of replication or of transferring genetic material.

Non-viable residue: A residue that is not capable of replication or of transferring genetic material.

Pathogenicity: The ability of a micro-organism to cause disease and/or inflict damage on the host. Many pathogens cause disease by a combination of (i) toxicity and invasiveness or (ii) toxicity and colonising ability. However, some invasive pathogens cause disease that results from an abnormal reaction of the host's defence system.

Symbiosis: A type of interaction between organisms where one organism lives in intimate association with another, which is favourable for both organisms.

Viable micro-organism: A micro-organism that is capable of replication or of transferring genetic material.

Viable residue: A residue that is capable of replication or of transferring genetic material.

Viroid: Any of a class of infectious agents consisting of a small strand of RNA not associated with any protein. The RNA does not code for proteins and is not translated; it is replicated by host cell enzymes. Viroids are known to cause several plant diseases.

Virulence: Measurement of the degree of disease producing ability of a micro-organism as indicated by the severity of the disease produced. Measure of the dosage (inoculum size) required to cause a specific degree of pathogenicity. It is measured experimentally by the median lethal dose (LD ₅₀ ) or median infective dose (ID ₅₀ ).] ]

Textual Amendments

F1 Substituted by Council Directive 97/57/EC of 22 September 1997 establishing Annex VI to Directive 91/414/EEC concerning the placing of plant protection products on the market.

F2 Inserted by Council Directive 2005/25/EC of 14 March 2005 amending Annex VI to Directive 91/414/EEC as regards plant protection products containing micro-organisms (Text with EEA relevance).