On March 17, 2022, the 49th session of the Specialized Section on the Development of a Standard for Seed Potatoes of the Working Party on Agricultural Quality Standards of the UNECE opened via videoconference.
The event was attended by over 30 delegates from different countries. FSBI "Rosselkhoztsentr" was represented by director A.M. Malko, head of the Leningrad branch E.A. Pavlova and leading agronomist of the certification and international cooperation department D.M. Bitkov.
The meeting was chaired by the Section Chair, Ms. Hanna Kortemaa (Finland).
After the delegates approved the agenda, the following issues were considered:
— The Chair provided information from the Secretariat on issues arising since the previous session on virtual consultations of the Working Party on Agricultural Quality Standards relevant to the work of the Specialized Section;
— An updated draft questionnaire on bacterial testing methods was considered;
— In revising the current Standard for Seed Potatoes, the amendments (in English text) proposed by the delegates were discussed and made;
— An updated draft manual for the production of minitubers was discussed, taking into account the changes made to Annex I;
— Update on the development of a reference page to share knowledge and resources on seed potato certification;
— Completion of a poster/document on the benefits of certified seed;
- Potato virus mop-top-curly - exchange of experience.
The Specialized Section was invited to consider updates from the Delegations of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and Finland;
— A methodology for testing for virus damage in dormant potato tubers was discussed;
- New and emerging diseases and pests - information on Liberibacter and tomato and potato moths;
— Herbicide transfer and seed potatoes.
The Specialized Section was invited to discuss whether a clause on the transfer of herbicides should be included in the requirements of the standard, or whether a position paper should be prepared.
The Specialized Section discussed its future work.
The meeting of the session continues today, March 18, 2022.