Propagation Material of Vines Regulations, 2004 (L.N. 470 of 2004).

The present Regulations make provision with a view to assuring that any vine propagation material which is produced, placed on the market in Malta or transhipped through Malta prior to its transport to another European Community Member State meets particular quality standards. These rules cover plant material used for the vegetative propagation of vines, as defined under regulation 3. A certification by the National Certification Service is required for the purpose of producing, marketing or transhipping through Malta any vine propagation material. As regards marketing, the registration according to the Plant Quarantine (Harmful Organisms) Regulations, 2004 is compulsory as well (reg. 4). The Seeds and other Propagation Material Unit shall be responsible for the establishment and management of a catalogue of vine varieties and, where applicable, clones (reg. 7). If genetically-modified varieties within the meaning of article 2 of Directive 2001/18/EC are available, such varieties shall be accepted as long as all appropriate measures have been taken to avoid adverse effects on human health and the environment. Further provisions deal with packaging, storage and transportation of propagation material (regs. 11 and 12), and labelling of packages (reg. 12). In addition, the following Schedules are attached: (I) Conditions relating to the growing crop; (II) Conditions relating to propagating material; (III) Packaging; (IV) Official labelling; (V) Characteristics considered in the examination for distinctness, stability and homogeneity; (VI) Minimum conditions for carrying out inspections on vine varieties.