ASTA; Chile Phytosanitary Issues Successfully Resolved

Alexandria, VA (Nov. 30) — In March and August of this year an international delegation led by the American Seed Trade Association (ASTA) met with the Chilean National Plant Protection Office (SAG) to discuss several proposed phytosanitary measures that could have negatively impacted seed trade with Chile for vegetable, corn and wheat seed. Since that time, ASTA has remained in touch with SAG and provided additional technical and scientific information as a follow up to those discussions. ASTA recently received good news that these issues, with one exception, have been successfully resolved.

First, regarding high plains virus (HPV) and wheat streak mosaic virus (WSMV), there will be no changes in phytosanitary requirements for maize seed imports into Chile. Second, in regard to WSMV and its importation requirements proposed for wheat seeds (Triticum aestivum, Triticum durum), SAG confirmed they will only request official inspection during the active growth period. Finally, regarding phytosanitary requirements for vegetable seed pathogens, we received the following information:The burdensome requirement of sampling and testing of asymptomatic plants has been eliminated. The option of testing seed lots remains an alternative;

For Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum in carrots, SAG will postpone phytosanitary measures for this bacterium until further information is provided.

However, regarding cucurbit seed and cucumber green mottle mosaic virus (CGMMV), SAG has decided to maintain its requirement for a phytosanitary field inspection coupled with sampling and testing of asymptomatic plants “….visual field inspection and analyzed (specify diagnostic technique”), OR a seed test (previously was AND a seed test).

ASTA will continue to work with SENASA to encourage the elimination of the requirement for sampling and testing of asymptomatic plants in future discussions with SAG.