One of the important organisms harmful to potatoes and tomatoes is Ralstonia solanacearum (Smith) Yabuuchi et al., the pathogenic agent of the potato brown rot disease and of bacterial wilt in potatoes and tomatoes (hereinafter referred to as the organism);

The organism still occurs in some parts of the Community;

Directive 98/57/EC has laid down detailed measures to be taken within the Member States against the organism in order to locate it and determine its distribution; prevent its occurrence and spread; and, if found, to prevent its spread and to control it with the aim of eradication;

Since then, there have been significant developments in the understanding of the biology, the detection and identification procedures of the organism; moreover practical experiences gained in controlling the organism calls for review of several technical provisions related to control measures;

As a result of such developments, it appears necessary to review and update the measures included in certain Annexes to Directive 98/57/EC;

As regards the detection and identification procedures, the fluorescent in-situ hybridisation (FISH), a modern detection method, is incorporated. Improvements of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method, as well as improvements of various technical elements of the current detection and identification procedure, and methods for the detection and identification of the organism in other host plants than potato, and in water and soil, have also been included;

As regards the technical elements of the control measures, improved provisions are made for: the way of conservation of tested samples in order to ensure trace back of the organism, the elements needed to determine the extent of the probable contamination, the details of the notification of any confirmed presence of the organism and of the relevant contaminated zone, measures to implement in places of production designated as contaminated and within the demarcated zones. In addition, some provisions for tomato have been incorporated in order to take more into account the relevance of this plant as host for the organism;

The measures provided in this Directive are in accordance with the opinion of the Standing Committee on Plant Health.