Regulation No. 240 establishing plant protection measures for importing plants of strawberry from Argentina.

By way of derogation from Ministerial Decree 31 January 1996, plants of strawberry (Fragaria L.), intended for planting, other than seeds, originating in Argentina can be introduced in Italy from 1 June 1999 to 31 December 2000. The plants shall be intended for fruit production and shall have been: (a) produced exclusively from mother plants, certified under an approved certification scheme; (b) grown on land which is: - situated in an area isolated from commercial strawberry production, - situated at least 1 km from the nearest crop of strawberry plants for fruit or runner production which do not satisfy the conditions of this Regulation, - situated at least 200 m from any other plants of the genus Fragaria which do not satisfy the conditions of this Regulation, and - prior to planting and in the period after the previous crop was removed from the land, tested by appropriate methods or treated to ensure freedom from soil infesting harmful organisms; (c) officially inspected by the Plant Protection Service of Argentina; (d) found free from harmful organisms; (e) prior to export: - shaken free from soil or other growing medium, - cleaned and free from flowers and fruits. A phytosanitary certificate issued in Argentina shall accompany the plants. (6 articles)