S.L. 433.15 Art. 20Experimentation improve certain provisions in these regulations.

(1) For the purpose of seeking improved alternatives to to certain provisions set out in these regulations, temporary experiments may be organised under specified conditions at

Community level.

(2) Community comparative tests and trials shall be carried out within the Community for the post-control of samples of vine propagation material placed on the market under the provisions of these regulations, whether mandatory or discretionary, including those relating to plant health and taken during sampling. These tests and trials may include the following:

(a) propagation material produced in third countries;

(b) propagation material suitable for organic farming; and

(c) propagation material marketed in relation to measures intended to help preserve genetic diversity. These tests and trials shall be used to harmonise the technical methods of certification and to check satisfaction of the conditions with which the seed must comply and the Commission shall make the necessary arrangements for the comparative tests and trials to be carried out. SCHEDULE I

Conditions relating to the growing crop

Section A – Identity, purity and cultural conditions growing crop shall have identity and purity with regard to the variety applicable the clone. cultural conditions and the level of development of the growing crop as to allow sufficient checks on the identity and purity of the growing regards to the variety and, if necessary, the clone, as well as its state of

Health requirements for stock nurseries intended for the production categories of propagating material and for cutting nurseries of all categories Section shall apply to stock nurseries intended for the production of all propagating material, and to cutting nurseries of all those categories. stock nurseries and the cutting nurseries shall, by visual inspection, be from the regulated non-quarantine pests (RNQPs) listed in Sections F and the genus or species concerned.

nurseries and the cutting nurseries shall be sampled and tested for the in Section G, as regards the genus or species concerned. In case of concerning the presence of the RNQPs listed in Sections F and G, as regards species concerned, the stock nurseries and cutting nurseries shall be tested.

inspection and, where appropriate, sampling and testing of the stock cutting nurseries concerned shall be carried out pursuant to Section H.

Sampling and testing, as provided for in item 2, shall take place in the most period of the year taking into account the climatic conditions and the conditions of the vine, and the biology of the RNQPs relevant for that vine. sampling and testing, the Directorate shall apply protocols of the Mediterranean Plant Protection Organisation (EPPO), or other which are internationally recognised. Where such protocols do not exist, protocols established for Malta shall be applied. In that case, the shall, on request, make available those protocols to the other Member the European Commission. sampling and testing of vines in the stock nurseries intended for the initial propagating material, the Directorate shall apply biological indicator plants to assess the presence of viruses, viroids, virus-like phytoplasmas, or other equivalent protocols which are internationally

- Soil requirements and production conditions for stock nurseries the production of all categories of propagating material, and for cutting nurseries of all categories of propagating material vines in stock nurseries and cutting nurseries may only be planted in appropriate, in pots with growing media, free from any pests which viruses listed in Section G. Freedom from such pests shall be sampling and testing. sampling and testing shall be carried out taking into account the climatic conditions and the biology of the pests which may host the viruses listed G.