S.L. 433.3 Art. 12ARequest for recognition of a protected zone.

(1) When requesting the recognition of a protected zone as referred to in article 32(1)(s) of the Act, the following conditions shall be met:

(a) an official action programme shall be established to seek confirmation that one or more of the harmful organisms referred to in these Regulations, in respect of which zone is to be recognised as a protected zone, are not endemic or established there; and

(b) the programme referred to in paragraph (a) shall be monitored by persons entitled to act for the Directorate.

(2) The programme referred to in sub-regulation (1) shall comprise:

(a) a survey based on an understanding of the biology of any harmful organism of concern and of the agronomy and environment of the relevant zone using appropriate methods of analysis including growing medium and crop inspection and, if necessary, laboratory testing;

(b) a permanent regime providing regular and systematic surveys, at appropriate times, at least once a year, on the presence of any harmful organism in respect of which the zone is to be recognised as a protected zone; and

(c) a system of keeping records of the results of the surveys.

(3) The surveys referred to in sub-regulation (1) shall be carried out by persons entitled to act for the Directorate.

(4) The survey methodology and conduct shall be notified to the Commission. The Commission shall forward this information to the other Member States.