Regulatory Actions to Exclude Pests During the International Exchange of Plant Germplasm

Abstract

The use of genetic material from other countries to improve domestic cultivars through breeding and selection has contributed to the progress made in the development of the fruit and nut industry in different areas of the world. Future progress by using foreign selections, desirable mutants, or wild species will surely have an important economic, aesthetic, and even social impact. As the enthusiasm for such a promising future develops into more interest in international exchange of plant germplasm, it is important to emphasize the possibility that foreign pests can be introduced into the domestic agriculture along with the desired genetic material (52). In fact, a foreign pest may minimize or completely eliminate the benefits of the contaminated imported germplasm as well as damage nearby susceptible cultivars laboriously created by plant breeding programs. Such pests may cause negative economic, aesthetic, and social consequences. Therefore, the effort to import desirable foreign germplasm must be complemented by a concentrated effort to exclude hazardous pests from the imported plant material.

Phytosanitary Rules for the Movement of Olive (Olea europaea L.) Propagation Material into the European Union (EU)

“…Phytosanitary laws are aimed primarily at preventing the introduction of potentially harmful organisms that can pose a serious threat to plant health, which are referred to as quarantine organisms. However, the laws are less restrictive of pests that do not cause significant damage, as they would otherwise lead to unjustified economic disadvantages [ 78 ]. Because of the prevalent vegetative propagation of the olive tree over time, this species can be affected by various infectious organisms including viruses, fungi, bacteria, phytoplasma and nematodes, which, in some cases, can seriously affect plants’ health and production.…”