S.L. 433.14 Art. 3Official surveys. Cap. 433.

(1) The Plant Health Department shall conduct systematic official surveys for the organism on tubers and, where appropriate, on plants of potato (Solanum L.) originating in Malta, tuberosum for the confirmation of absence of the organism.

(2) For these surveys, in the case of tubers samples of both seed and other potatoes shall be taken, preferably from lots in store and subjected to official or officially supervised laboratory testing using the method set out in Schedule 1 for the detection and diagnosis of the organism. In addition, where appropriate, official or officially supervised visual inspection by cutting of tubers on other samples may be done. In the case of plants, these surveys shall be carried out according to appropriate methods and the samples shall be subjected to appropriate official or officially supervised testing.

(3) The number, origin, stratification and timing of collection of samples shall be decided by the Plant Health Department within the meaning of the Plant Quarantine Act based on sound scientific and statistical principles and the biology of the organism, and taking into account the particular potato production systems of Malta. The details thereof shall be submitted annually to the other Member States and the Commission.

(4) The results of the official surveys shall be notified at least once a year to the other Member States and to the Commission.