To prevent the introduction of CLVd into Japan, the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries of Japan (MAFF) will require National Plant Protection Organizations (NPPO) of exporting countries to certify that:
a) for seeds for planting originated in Thailand
i) The samples randomly taken from parent plants and ones with suspected symptoms are tested by an appropriate genetic method such as RT-PCR assay and found to be free from Columnea latent viroid; or
ii) The seeds are tested prior to export by an appropriate genetic method such as RT-PCR assay and found to be free from Columnea latent viroid; 4,600 seeds are randomly taken from a lot as samples in accordance with the International Seed Testing Association (ISTA) procedures; or in case that the number of seeds of a lot is less than 46,000, 10% of the seeds are used for the testing; they are divided into at most 400 seeds as sub-samples.
b) for live plants and plant parts for planting for cultivation originated in Thailand (excluding seeds and fruits):
i) The plants randomly taken from a lot and plants with suspected symptoms are tested during the growing season or prior to export by an appropriate genetic method such as RT-PCR assay and found to be free from Columnea latent viroid.
Therefore, the NPPO of exporting countries will be required to include an additional declaration stating that
"Fulfills item 26 of the Annexed Table 2-2 of the Ordinance for Enforcement of the Plant Protection Act (MAF Ordinance No. 73/1950)."
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