Tomato viruses especially dangerous for vegetable growing of Russia

Томат – важнейшая овощная культура с ежегодным увеличением объемов его производства во всем мире. В Российской Федерации последние несколько лет активно развиваются предприятия защищенного грунта, специализирующиеся на производстве томатов. Вместе с тем растения томата поражают более 200 различных вредителей и болезней. Возбудители вирусных болезней растений – важный ограничивающий фактор для многих отраслей растениеводства, в том числе овощеводства. В последние годы в европейских странах производство томатов в открытом и защищенном грунте пострадало от серьезных потерь, вызванных, главным образом, вирусными фитопатогенами. В статье представлен обзор трех наиболее опасных вирусов, возбудителей болезней томатов – коричневой морщинистости плодов томата, мозаики пепино, пятнистого увядания томата. Эти вирусы неоднократно были выявлены в целом ряде стран практически на всех континентах и вызвали значительные экономические потери в странах своего распространения. Ввиду очень быстрого распространения и обнаружения опасных вирусов томата в ряде стран, занимающихся производством и дальнейшим экспортом семян и плодов томатов, Федеральная служба по ветеринарному и фитосанитарному надзору Российской Федерации (Россельхознадзор) с 27 июля 2020 года ввела в качестве временной карантинной фитосанитарной меры требование об отсутствии этих вирусов в семенах, посадочном материале и плодах растений-хозяев при их ввозе и перемещении по территории Российской Федерации. Результаты анализов фитосанитарного риска, проведенных в ФГБУ «ВНИИКР» в 2020 году, показали, что вирусы коричневой морщинистости плодов томата, мозаики пепино и пятнистого увядания томата соответствуют критериям карантинных для Российской Федерации организмов, вирусы способны проникнуть на территорию страны с подкарантинной продукцией, распространиться и нанести существенный ущерб развитию сельского хозяйства и экономической деятельности страны. Tomato is the most important vegetable crop with an annual increase in its production worldwide. In the Russian Federation, greenhouse industry specializing in the production of tomatoes have been actively developing over the past few years. At the same time, tomato plants affect more than 200 different pests and diseases. Pathogens of viral diseases of plants are an important limiting factor for many branches of crop production, including vegetable growing. In recent years, in European countries, the production of tomatoes in open field and greenhouses has suffered from serious losses caused mainly by viral phytopathogens. The article presents an overview of the three most dangerous viruses, pathogens of tomato diseases – tomato brown rugose fruit virus (ToBRFV), pepino mosaic virus (PepMV) and tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV). These viruses have been repeatedly detected in a number of countries on almost all continents and have caused significant economic losses in the countries of their distribution. In view of the very rapid spread and detection of dangerous tomato viruses in a number of countries engaged in the production and further export of tomato seeds and fruits, Rosselkhoznadzor, from July 27, 2020, introduced as a temporary quarantine phytosanitary measure the requirement that these viruses are not present in seeds, planting material and fruits of host plants when they are imported and moved through the territory of the Russian Federation. The results of the phytosanitary risk analyses conducted at the Federal State Budgetary Institution «VNIIKR» in 2020 showed that ToBRFV, PepMV and TSWV meet the criteria of quarantine organisms for the Russian Federation, viruses are able to enter the territory of the country with quarantined products, spread and cause significant damage to the development of agriculture and economic activity of the country.

Combination of Modified Atmosphere and Irradiation for the Phytosanitary Disinfestation of Trogoderma granarium Everts (Coleoptera: Dermestidae)

The khapra beetle, Trogoderma granarium Everts, is defined as one of the most important quarantine pests globally, and fumigation with methyl bromide, an ozone-depleting substance, is a common phytosanitary measure currently used. The modified atmosphere (MA), irradiation, and their combination treatments of T. granarium larvae and adults were performed at room temperature (24–26 ℃) to develop an ecofriendly phytosanitary disinfestation measure and to shorten the exposure time and overcome treatment disadvantages of irradiation. Late-stage larvae are determined as the most tolerant stage resulted in large LT99.9968 values of 32.6 (29.2–37.5) and 38.0 (35.1–41.7) days treated under 1% and 2% O2 (with N2 balance) atmosphere, respectively. Ionizing radiation was used to enhance the effect of MA and the mortality was highly significantly affected by all the interaction effects, indicating that the synergistic effects present in all the combined treatments. The synergistic ratios, which is defined as the estimated lethal time for MA treatment (LD90, LD99, and LD99.9968), divided by that of combined treatment, were between 1.47 and 2.47. In the confirmatory tests, no individuals recovered from a sum of 111,366 late-stage larvae treated under 1% O2 atmosphere for 14- or 15-d after 200 Gy irradiation, which resulted in validating the probit estimations and achieving an efficacy of 99.9973% mortality at 95% confidence level. Therefore, these treatment schedules are recommended to disinfest T. granarium infecting commodities for phytosanitary purposes under the warehouse, MA packaging, or in combination with international transportation by train or sea container.

Control of Meloidogyne graminicola a Root-Knot Nematode Using Rice Plants as Trap Crops: Preliminary Results

Meloidogyne graminicola is one of the most harmful organisms in rice cultivation throughout the world. This pest was detected for the first time in mainland Europe (Northern Italy) in 2016 and was subsequently added to the EPPO Alert List. To date, few methods are available for the control of M. graminicola and new solutions are required. In 2019, field trials using rice plants as trap crops were performed in a Lombardy region rice field where five plots for three different management approaches were staked out: (i) Uncultivated; (ii) Treated: three separate cycles of rice production where plants were sown and destroyed each time at the second leaf stage; (iii) Control: rice was sown and left to grow until the end of the three cycles in treated plots. The results showed that in the treated plots, the nematode density and the root gall index were lower than for the other two management approaches. Moreover, the plant population density and rice plant growth were higher than the uncultivated and control plots. In conclusion, the use of the trap crop technique for the control of M. graminicola gave good results and thus it could be a new phytosanitary measure to control this pest in rice crop areas.

SPS Measures as Hidden Barriers to International Trade within WTO and EAEU (theory and practice)

INTRODUCTION. Since there are many threats in the modern world, states consider the essence of security in its various manifestations. A rather extensive understanding of security should be noted, as this concept applies to multiple directions of our life. So-called SPS measures are one of the vectors aimed at ensuring safety (protection) of human life and health. The scientific literature covers rather extensively SPS measures, taken by states, which include mandatory sanitary, veterinary and quarantine phytosanitary requirements and procedures. The novelty of the study is that SPS measures will be analyzed in terms of their use as hidden barriers to international trade, as well as how often they are used when a particular sanitary or phytosanitary measure imposed by a state or maintained in force by a member of an international organization restrains or can potentially restrain export of its goods.MATERIALS AND METHODS. In international trade certain issues of the contemplated problem are regulated by Article XX of GATT, as well as by the Special Agreement on the Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (SPS Agreement). Security measures reflected in the Article XXI of GATT-94 are not considered.RESEARCH RESULTS. Th author concluded that SPS measures construe hidden barriers to international trade. However, it is possible to establish "rules of the game", to agree on this problem in concluded agreements on the rules of application of SPS measures, minimizing the possibility of their unfair use. As for the EAEU law, it affects the development of international norms in the field under consideration.DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS. The urgency of the issues dealt with in the article is based on the fact that every resident of any state in one way or another wants to be sure of the safety of all that he consumes and that the state or a number of states within the framework of an international organization are obliged to ensure this. The Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) is no exception, it also faces similar tasks. The article analyzes the results of activities in the sphere of decision-making on SPS measures and the framework of the international organization of regional economic integration – the EAEU.

Pest Risk Management in Trade: The Opportunity from Using Integrated Combined Measures in a Systems Approach (ISPM 14)

During the International Year of Plant Health, the role of pest risk management in trade is reemphasised. Systems Approach uses a combination of measures to reduce pest risk, making it more robust against failure than a single pre-export phytosanitary measure. The original context for formalising Systems Approach in an International Standard for Phytosanitary Measures (ISPM 14) is considered next to today's global situation. A summary of advantages and challenges for implementation concludes with recommendations. The use of decision support tools is highlighted as one way to increase confidence in the efficacy of a system that may include very different types of measures with varying kinds of supportive evidence. Ultimately trust and confidence between trade partners is key to finding pest risk management that allows safe trade. At a time of global economic stress, this article encourages those involved in trade to embrace Systems Approach as an effective approach to preventing the spread of plant pests, as coordinated by the International Plant Protection Convention and its over 180 member countries.

Postharvest respiration rate, physiological weight loss and physico-chemical quality of mango fruit as influenced by different hot water quarantine treatments under simulated shipment conditions

Extended hot water quarantine treatment (HWQT) is a commercial phytosanitary measure used for fruit fly disinfestation in mangoes. These studies were targeted to evaluate the physiological behaviour and qualitative response of hot water treated fruits of late maturing mango cv. Sufaid Chaunsa under two different commercial shipment conditions including ambient shipment (28 ± 2 °C; 60-65% RH; simulated for air freight) and refrigerated shipment (10 ± 1 °C; 80-85% RH; simulated for containerized shipments through sea-freight or land routes). The fruits were harvested at physiological maturity, de-sapped (0.5% lime; 2-3 min dip), precooled to 20 °C (forced-air cooling), transported (350 km) in a reefer van (at 20 ± 1 °C), and subjected to two HWQT protocols i.e. 48 °C for 60 min and 45 °C for 75 min in comparison with control. HWQTs were found to have significant impact on physiological aspects of the fruits with significantly more weight loss and higher rate of respiration as compared to control. The fruits subjected to 48 °C for 60 min had more weight loss and higher respiration rate as compared to those at 45 °C for 75 min. Water temperature was found more critical than the treatment duration in causing fruit weight loss. HWQT protocols did not have negative impact on physico-chemical fruit quality attributes under both shipment conditions. Based upon respiratory peak, 3 weeks storage at 10 ± 1 °C; 80-85% RH was found better along with 7 days post-shipment shelf life as it maintained better eating quality at retail. The turnout is expected to be much better at neighbouring export destinations (situated at less transition/transport periods); however, the inclusion of disease control strategies at pre and postharvest levels is indispensable for low temperature shipments.

An Improved Systems Approach as a Phytosanitary Measure for Thaumatotibia leucotreta (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) in Export Citrus Fruit From South Africa

A systems approach was previously developed for mitigating phytosanitary risk of Thaumatotibia leucotreta (Meyrick) in citrus fruit exported from South Africa, as an alternative to a standalone cold disinfestation treatment. The present study first tested the original systems approach by applying it on a semicommercial scale in 10 Nova mandarin orchards. Fruit were inspected at points in the production, packing, and simulated shipping process, to assess performance of the systems approach. Additional data were obtained from 17 Valencia orange orchards and six packinghouses. In the second part of this study, the systems approach was accordingly revised and improved, consisting of three measures: 1) preharvest controls and measurements and postpicking sampling, inspection, and packinghouse procedures; 2) postpacking sampling and inspection; and 3) shipping conditions. The model quantifying the effectiveness of the systems approach was improved by correcting errors in the original version, updating parameter values and adding a component that provides for comparison with the risk mitigation provided by a standalone disinfestation treatment. Consequently, the maximum potential proportion of fruit that may be infested with live T. leucotreta after application of the improved systems approach is no greater than the proportion of fruit that may be infested after application of a Probit 9 efficacy postharvest disinfestation treatment to fruit with a 2% pretreatment infestation. The probability of a mating pair surviving is also determined. The model enables a priori determination of the required threshold levels for any of the three measures, based on quantification of the other two measures.

THE CASE FOR “SUFFICIENT SCIENCE”: South African Poultry Association v The Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Case Number: 39597/2016 (21/9/2016) (Gauteng Division, Pretoria)

This discussion examines the role of the “sufficient science” requirement as the basis of a phytosanitary measure as postulated by the World Trade Organisation (hereinafter, “the WTO”) Agreement on the Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (hereinafter “the SPS”), in South African law through the avenue of the decision of the court in South African Poultry Association v The Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (Case Number: 39597/2016 (21/9/2016) (Gauteng Division, Pretoria) hereinafter “SAPA”). This case was prompted by the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries’ promulgation of new regulations on permissible brine limits for individual chicken portions. These new regulations were promulgated in response to concerns that some chicken producers had used excessive amounts of brine, which compromised the quality of the chicken consumed by consumers. The new regulations capped the permissible brine limit on chicken at 15%. Consequently, the South African Poultry Association then approached the High Court challenging, inter alia, the lawfulness of the permissible brine limit as stipulated in the new regulations on the grounds that there was no scientific basis for the brine limits; and in the alternative, that the scientific basis relied on for the determination of the brining limits was fundamentally flawed. To this end, this paper argues that the court misdirected itself by failing to determine that the newly minted brine limit on poultry meat in South Africa constitutes a “phytosanitary measure” in the manner contemplated by the SPS. Secondly, the court flouted its obligation under the Constitution to ensure that the evaluation of the new brine regulations is in line with South Africa’s international obligations under the SPS and the instruments of the Codex Alimentarius Commission. On the back of this finding, the paper argues that the brine limit was incorrectly held to be valid because it was established in the absence of “sufficient science” thereby contravening Article 2.2, Article 5.1 and Article 5.2 of the SPS. Thirdly, the court neglected to examine whether the new brine limit was rationally connected to its risk assessments as required by Article 5.1 of the SPS. This finding invariably means that the new brine limit is presumed not to be based on scientific principles and to be maintained without sufficient scientific evidence. In the alternative, it is argued that the scientific process followed by the respondent could be seen as an exception to the “sufficient science” rule if the respondent argues that they pursued a precautionary approach in good faith, as a responsible government faced with a situation plagued by scientific uncertainty and a clear and imminent threat to public health and safety. Lastly, this paper argues that the court correctly held that the process followed by the respondent in establishing the views of the scientific community is in line with the SPS. It must be borne in mind that the discussion to follow is focused on the approach the court should have followed according to the SPS and it is not, an enquiry on whether the decision of the court is correct under the precepts of administrative law in South Africa.

A CRITICAL APPRAISAL OF THE PLANT HEALTH (PHYTOSANITARY) BILL’S COMPLIANCE WITH THE SALIENT ASPECTS OF THE WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION (WTO) AGREEMENT ON THE APPLICATION OF SANITARY AND PHYTOSANITARY MEASURES

This paper juxtaposes the long-mooted Plant Health (Phytosanitary) Bill with its corollary, the World Trade Organization (WTO) Agreement on the Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (SPS). Firstly, this paper finds that the Bill creates an ambiguity by including in the definition of “phytosanitary measures”, those “measures, regulations or procedures that limit the economic impact of regulated non-quarantine pests”, without any guidance on the relevant factors to be considered in this regard. Secondly, it is found that the Bill explicitly establishes the requirement that the new phytosanitary regime is based on “scientific principles”. Thirdly, the paper argues that the Bill also establishes the general rule that makes “sufficient science” the basis of any phytosanitary measure in conformity with South Africa’s core obligations under the SPS. Fourthly, this paper finds that the Bill contravenes Article 5.7 of the SPS in that it provides for the implementation of the so-called “emergency and provisional measures” by the competent authority as an exception to the “sufficient science” rule, without any of the necessary safeguards created by Article 5.7. Lastly, the paper finds that the Bill has unduly shifted the primary burden of preventing the entry and establishment of a pest, from the competent authority to the “user of land”.