(1)

Entry 17 of Annex VI to Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/2072 (2) prohibits the introduction into the Union of tubers of species of Solanum L. and their hybrids, other than those specified in entries 15 and 16 thereof, including tubers of Solanum tuberosum L. (the ‘specified plant’) originating in certain third countries.

(2)

That prohibition does not apply to European third countries and specific areas listed under entry 17, fourth column, point (b), of Annex VI to Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/2072, if they are recognised as being free from Clavibacter sepedonicus (Spieckermann and Kotthoff) Nouioui et al. (‘the specified pest’), which causes for potato ring rot disease, or if their legislation is recognised as equivalent to the Union rules concerning protection against that pest.

(3)

It appears from information supplied by Montenegro and related to the annual survey campaigns between 2010 and 2020, and from information collected during a Commission audit on the potato sector carried out in that country in November 2019, that the specified pest was not present in Montenegro. That country developed a satisfactory follow-up action plan in response to the recommendations of the final report of the audit as regards improving the plant health controls in the potato sector. It is therefore appropriate to recognise Montenegro as being free from Clavibacter sepedonicus (Spieckermann and Kotthoff) Nouioui et al. and to allow the introduction into the Union of ware potatoes from Montenegro, as it is considered free from the specified pest.

(4)

Commission Implementing Decisions 2012/219/EU (3) and (EU) 2015/1199 (4) recognised Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina, respectively, as being free from the specified pest.

(5)

As, on the basis of the respective survey results and audits, the situation has not changed in Bosnia and Herzegovina and in Serbia since the adoption of those Implementing Decisions, those third countries are still considered to be free from the specified pest and ware potatoes produced in their territories should be allowed to be introduced into the Union.

(6)

In order to ensure that Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Serbia and the United Kingdom remain free from the specified pest, those third countries should be required to submit to the Commission, by 30 April of each year, the survey results of the previous year confirming that the specified pest is not present on their territories, as this would ensure the most appropriate period of time for the appropriate collection and submission of those results.

(7)

Entry 17, fourth column, points (b) and (c), of Annex VI to Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/2072 should therefore be amended accordingly, in order to also concern Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Serbia and the United Kingdom.

(8)

For reasons of legal clarity, Implementing Decisions 2012/219/EU and (EU) 2015/1199 should be repealed.

(9)

The measures provided for in this Regulation are in accordance with the opinion of the Standing Committee on Plants, Animals, Food and Feed,