ANNEX II

1.With reference to the sampling and testing for the official investigation referred to in Article 5(1) and 5(2):

  1. (a)

    sampling shall involve a soil sample with a standard rate of at least 1 500 ml soil/ha collected from at least 100 cores/ha preferably in a rectangular grid of not less than 5 metres in width and not more than 20 metres in length between sampling points covering the entire field. The whole sample shall be used for further examination, i.e. extraction of cysts, species identification and, if applicable, pathotype/virulence group determination;

  2. (b)

    testing shall involve methods for the extraction of potato cyst nematodes described in the relevant Phytosanitary Procedures or Diagnostic Protocols for Globodera pallida and Globodera rostochiensis: EPPO standards.

2.With reference to the sampling and testing for the official survey referred to in Article 6(2):

  1. (a)

    sampling shall be:

    • the sampling described in paragraph 1 with a minimum sampling rate of soil of at least 400 ml/ha,

    or

    • targeted sampling of at least 400 ml of soil after visual examination of roots where there are visual symptoms,

    or

    • sampling of at least 400 ml of soil associated with the potatoes after harvesting provided that the field where the potatoes were grown is traceable;

  2. (b)

    testing shall be the testing referred to in paragraph 1.

3.By way of derogation the standard sampling rate referred to in paragraph 1 may be reduced to a minimum of 400 ml of soil/ha provided that:

  1. (a)

    there is documentary evidence that no potatoes or other host plants listed in point 1 of Annex I have been grown and were present in the field in the six years prior to the official investigation;

or

  1. (b)

    no potato cyst nematodes have been found during the last two successive official investigations in samples of 1 500 ml soil/ha and no potatoes or other host plants listed in point 1 of Annex I, other than those for which an official investigation is required according to Article 4(1), have been grown after the first official investigation;

or

  1. (c)

    no potato cyst nematodes or potato cyst nematode cysts without live content have been found in the last official investigation which must have consisted of a sample size of at least 1 500 ml soil/ha and no potatoes or other host plants listed in point 1 of Annex I, other than those for which an official investigation is required according to Article 4(1), have been grown in the field since the last official investigation.

Results of other official investigations carried out before 1 July 2010 may be considered as official investigations as referred to in subparagraphs (b) and (c).

4.By way of derogation the sampling rate referred to at paragraphs 1 and 3 may be reduced for fields larger than 8 ha and 4 ha respectively:

  1. (a)

    in the case of the standard rate referred to in paragraph 1, the first 8 ha shall be sampled at the rate specified therein, but may be reduced for each additional hectare to a minimum of 400 ml of soil/ha;

  2. (b)

    in the case of the reduced rate referred to in paragraph 3, the first 4 ha shall be sampled at the rate specified therein, but may be further reduced for each additional hectare to a minimum of 200 ml of soil/ha.

5.

The use of the reduced sample size as referred to at paragraphs 3 and 4 may be continued in the subsequent official investigations referred to in Article 4(1) until potato cyst nematodes have been found in the field concerned.

6.

By way of derogation the standard size of the soil sample referred to in paragraph 1 may be reduced to a minimum of 200 ml of soil/ha provided that the field is situated in an area declared free from potato cyst nematodes, and designated, maintained and surveyed in accordance with the relevant International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures. Details of such areas shall be officially notified in writing to the Commission and the other Member States.

7.

The minimum size of the soil sample in all cases shall be 100 ml of soil per field.