Division (2) Surveys of pest free areas

The pest free areas are subject to systematic and representative annual surveys for the detection of the harmful organism concerned, carried out by the Lebanese authorities, throughout the five years before and during production.

The surveys take place on potato fields located in the pest free areas, and on potatoes harvested in those areas.

The surveys consist of the following elements:

1. (a)

   visual inspections of the fields during the growing season;

2. (b)

   visual examination of the harvested potatoes for symptoms of the harmful organism concerned on cut tubers;

3. (c)

   laboratory testing on symptomatic and asymptomatic potatoes.

The surveys do not result in any finding of the harmful organism concerned or of any other evidence which could indicate that the area is not a pest free area within the meaning of point (1). The results of the surveys are made available to the Commission upon request.