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Virus-Tested Certification for Fruit Tree Nursery Stock

Virus-Tested Certification for Fruit Tree Nursery Stock. Sarah Gettys Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture FTCPN Meeting February 25, 2011. Virus-Tested Certification Programs for Fruit Tree Nursery Stock.

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Virus-Tested Certification for Fruit Tree Nursery Stock

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  1. Virus-Tested Certification for Fruit Tree Nursery Stock Sarah Gettys Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture FTCPN Meeting February 25, 2011

  2. Virus-Tested Certification Programs for Fruit Tree Nursery Stock • GOAL: to ensure a supply of fruit tree nursery stock that is certified free from tested viruses • Includes fruit-bearing and ornamental Prunus, Malus, Pyrus, Chaenomeles, and Cydonia • Stone Fruit, Apple, Pear, Flowering Quince, and Quince • Focus on graft-transmissible viruses, viroids, phytoplasmas and their vectors • Participation is voluntary

  3. Virus-Tested Certification Programs for Fruit Tree Nursery Stock • Propagation of fruit tree nursery stock is a high risk pathway for the movement of viruses • Virus certification programs are based on the propagation of trees: • from material that has originally tested free from all detectible viruses (G1 Level) • under conditions that mitigate the risk of (re)introduction of virus

  4. Two-Pronged Approach 1. Creation of a harmonized state level model regulatory standard “State Level Model Regulatory Standard: Virus-Tested Certification Program for Prunus, Malus, Pyrus, Chaenomeles, and Cydonia Nursery Stock Production Systems” 2. Initiate pilot studies in nurseries to gauge success of the standard and the required nursery-instigated best management practices • Both the standard and the pilots embrace a systems approach and are audit-based

  5. Harmonization Needed • 11 States and Canada have fruit tree nursery stock virus regulations • Subtle differences in regulatory language and requirements can lead to confusion and lack of consistency • Harmonization allows for a unified approach to virus control and monitoring • Trade is facilitated when regulations are in agreement • Nurseries can promote certified stock in marketing efforts • The model provides a template for states interested in instituting or revamping regulations • Most regulations have not been updated in over 30 years, and several are inactive

  6. Road to the Model Regulation • Fruit Tree Certification Working Group of the Fruit Tree Clean Plant Network established in 2009 • Representatives from state departments of agriculture, USDA-APHIS, Canadian Food Inspection Agency, clean plant centers, universities, and the nursery industry • Working Group agrees on concept and format • Use the systems approach, which involves independent components that work together to minimize the presence and spread of viruses • i.e. virus-testing, field inspection, isolation distances and vector control • Make the system auditable, and a cooperative effort between regulators and industry • Format based on RSPM No. 35 Guidelines for the Movement of Stone and Pome Fruit Trees and Grapevines into a NAPPO Member Country • Pennsylvania writes the first draft and submits to Working Group for comment

  7. Pilot Studies • Five nurseries participating in three states • Michigan, Oregon, and Pennsylvania • Evaluate the efficacy of the systems approach in mitigating spread of virus in nursery stock • Gain a better understanding of the viruses effecting nursery stock and the most useful detection tools available • Encourage cooperation between industry and regulators • Echo United States Nursery Certification Program Pilot

  8. Where Are We? • The second draft of the regulation, modified based on the comments received, was distributed to the Working Group in December, 2010 • Supporting appendices are being finalized • Specific requirements have been moved from the body of the regulation to appendices to allow for ease of adjustment and modification • Pilot programs are gearing up

  9. Nursery Milestones in PA • 1. Submit the Initial Application for Participation form. • 2. An Initial Program Entrance Review of the facility will be completed by the PDA. Three main processes will occur during the review: • Systems Audit • Pest Management Manual • Cooperative Agreement

  10. Nursery Milestones in PA • 3. Report yearly any changes made to critical facility information on the Annual Continuation of Participation form. • 4. Perform an annual internal nursery review of the Pest Management Manual. • 5. Cooperate with the PDA in an Annual Systems Audit. • 6. Allow Surveillance Audits carried out by the PDA throughout the year.

  11. Take-Away Message • Virus certification programs facilitate early detection and rapid response to viruses • Regulators spend more time in nurseries • Nurseries are required to implement best management practices to detect and mitigate virus introduction • Participation in the certification program depends upon a long term commitment from both the regulatory agency and the nursery - becoming a virus certified facility is a long process, and can not be granted “overnight” • Basic infrastructure needed to combat new viruses and vectors is in already in place

  12. Contact Sarah Gettys Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture sgettys@state.pa.us The End

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