UNITED NATIONS E

Economic and Social Distr. Council GENERAL

TRADE/WP.7/GE.6/2001/3 December 2000

ORIGINAL : ENGLISH

ECONOMIC COMMISSION FOR EUROPE

COMMITTEE FOR TRADE, INDUSTRY AND ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT

Working Party on Standardization of Perishable Produce and Quality Development

Specialized Section on Standardization of Seed Potatoes 12-14 March 2001, Geneva

Item 3 of the Provisional Agenda

REPORT OF THE MEETING OF RAPPORTEURS ON STANDARDIZATION OF SEED POTATOES

Note by the secretariat

This document contains the report of the meeting of rapporteurs on standardization of seed potatoes which took place in , 27 to 27 October 2000.

GE.00- TRADE/WP.7/GE.6/2001/3 page 2

MEETING OF RAPPORTEURS ON SEED POTATOES (MOSCOW, 24-27 OCTOBER 2000)

Background

1. The meeting was held in Moscow following an invitation from the Ministry of Industry, Science and Technologies.

Objectives for the meeting

2. The meeting was on the one hand a regular meeting of the rapporteurs meant to advance the UN/ECE Standard for Seed Potatoes according to the tasks given by the Specialized Section, on the other hand it was meant to learn more about the situation of potato production in the Russian Federation and to give recommendations if possible.

Participation

3. The meeting was attended by rapporteurs from Canada, , Italy, the Netherlands, Romania, the United States and the European Commission. Representatives from a EU TACIS project were also present. the UN/ECE secretariat was also represented.

4. From the Russian side the Ministry of Science, Industry and Technologies, the Ministry of Agriculture, the All Russian Potato Research Institute, the Centre “Bioengineering”of the Russian Academy of Sciences, the Research Institute of Plant Pathology, the State Commission for Test and Protection of Selection Achievements, the All Russian Institute for Plant Quarantine were represented.

Opening of the meeting

5. The meeting was opened with greetings from the Ministry of Science, Industry and Technologies, the Centre “Bioengineering”of the Russian Academy of Sciences and the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe.

Information on the National Systems of potato seed certification

6. The UN/ECE rapporteurs each gave a short introduction into the certification system in place in their countries.

Information on the EU TACIS Project "Improving Quality Control of Selected Food Products in Russia" 7. The TACIS representatives in Moscow

Results of the meeting

Situation in the Russian Federation (current situation and recommendations) TRADE/WP.7/GE.6/2001/3 page 3

The rapporteurs took note of the information provided by the Ministry of Agriculture that Russia has the biggest growing area for potatoes in the world but that there are concerns with a relatively low yield (if compared internationally) and high losses.

They agreed with the assessment of the Russian authority that it will be necessary to improve seed potato production in quantity and quality, to use certified seed and to update production and storage methods in order ameliorate the situation.

The rapporteurs recommended several ways forward, mainly focussing on the necessity to educate farmers and inspectors about the importance of using certified seed. They stressed that farmers had to learn the connection between the use of certified seed, higher yield, less use of pesticides, better products and a higher profit. The recommendations were greatly appreciated by the participants and it was ensured that Russia would continue to participate in the UN/ECE meetings.

Technical visit

The rapporteurs undertook a technical visit to the Centre “Bioengineering” and were informed by the Deputy Director Dr. Dorokhov about the current status of certification of GMO varieties of potatoes.

Meeting of Rapporteurs

The Rapporteurs finalized the questionnaire on national certification schemes and began a very fruitful discussion about the subdivision of classes. This subdivision is at present handled very differently in all countries and is one of the main reasons for the missing transparency in the international seed potato market. The rapporteurs identified this subject as well as the evaluation of the replies to the questionnaire and the preparation of a meeting with representatives from the IPPC as their most important goals for the next year.

Conclusions and recommendations

The objectives for going to the meeting were fully met - it was possible to strengthen the contact to the responsible authorities in the Russian Federation, to assess the situation of potato production and to give recommendations. It was also possible to further the UN/ECE standard for seed potatoes during the meeting of rapporteurs.

The Specialized Section should in the future define projects to assist the Russian Federation in putting their recommendations into practice possibly in cooperation with the European Community (TACIS). TRADE/WP.7/GE.6/2001/3 page 4

ANNEX

DECLARATION OF THE MEETING OF RAPPORTEURS ON STANDARDIZATION OF SEED POTATOES OF THE UNITED NATIONS ECONOMIC COMMISSION FOR EUROPE MOSCOW, 24 TO 27 OCTOBER 2000

The Meeting of Rapporteurs on Standardization of Seed Potatoes of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe:

THANKS the Ministry of Industry Science and Technologies RF and the Centre "Bioengineering" of the Russian Academy of Sciences for hosting its meeting in Moscow from 24 to 27 October 2000;

TAKES NOTE of the information provided by the Ministry of Agriculture RF, on the situation of the potato production in the Russian Federation:

- Russia has the largest potato growing area in the world, - There are concerns with a comparatively low yield and high losses;

AGREES with the assessment of the Russian authorities that

- the improvement of seed production in quantity and quality, - the use of certified seed and - updating of production and storage methods are essential to increase the overall yield of Russian potato production and to reduce the losses;

TAKES NOTE of the information provided on projects to improve the situation as for example in co- operation with TACIS in the Samara oblast;

TAKES NOTE of the activity under the Ministry of Industry Science and Technologies to harmonize Russian potato standards with those recommended by UN/ECE;

RECOMMENDS further active participation of Russian experts in the development of the UN/ECE standard on seed potatoes so that the situation in the Russian Federation can be taken into account;

RECOMMENDS that further efforts should be undertaken to implement modern technologies for pest and disease detection (ELISA, PCR etc.) and cultivar identification (fingerprinting, DNA profiling etc.)

RECOMMENDS to pay special attention to the quality control of starting material for seed production and STRESSES the importance of labelling issues for certified seed;

RECOMMENDS that farmers and inspectors should be educated about the benefits of using certified seed for potato production through namely: TRADE/WP.7/GE.6/2001/3 page 5

- improvement of yield while using less pesticides, and consequently improvement of profit and benefits for the consumer (better quality, lower prices, less pesticide residues), - less loss in storage because potatoes derived from certified seed are less infected, through investment in the following programs:

- training in disease recognition, - demonstration fields showing the improvement of yield while using less pesticides and consequently the improvement of profit, - economic incentives;

RECOMMEND the development of regulated areas specified only for seed production.

ON BEHALF OF THE MEETING OF RAPPORTEURS

P. G. BIANCHI CHAIRMAN

MOSCOW, 26 OCTOBER 2000

UNITED NATIONS ECONOMIC COMISSION FOR EUROPE Meeting of rapporteurs on Standards of Seed Potato Moscow, 24-26, October, 2000 LIST OF PARTICIPANTS

UN/ECE Mr.Tom Heilandt Acricultural Standards Officer ECE Trade Division Palais des Nations, Geneva, Tel: +41 22 917 24 50 Fax: +41 22 917 00 41 E-mail: [email protected]

CANADA Mr. Cameron Duff National Manager, Potato Section Plant Health and Production Division TRADE/WP.7/GE.6/2001/3 page 6

Canadian Food Inspection Agency 59 Camelot Drive, Nepean, Ontario KlA OY9 Canada Tel: + 1 613 225-2342 Fax: + 1 613 228-6628 E-mail: [email protected]

FRANCE Mr.G.Crouau Controleur National GNIS/SOC 44,rue du Louvre, 75001 Paris, France Tel: +33 1 42 33 85 01 Fax: +33 1 40 28 40 16 E-mail: [email protected]

ITALY Mr.P.G.Bianchi Manager, General Affairs Ente Nazionale Sementi Elette Via F.Wittgens 4, 20123 Milano, Italy Tel: +39 02 806 91626 Fax: +39 02 806 91649 E-mail: [email protected]

THE NETHERLANDS Mr.H.Van de Haar Head, Seed Potato Department NAK Postbus 1115, 8300 BC Emmeloord, The Netherlands Tel: +31 527 635400 Fax: +31 527 635 411 E-mail: [email protected]

ROMANIA Mss. Emilia Mihaela Vorovenci, Director of Inspection and Certification Programme Bioagrocert Consulting 25,Lebedei, Buchuresti 1, Romania Tel: 00401 650 63 34 Fax; 00401 650 63 34 E-mail: [email protected]

Mrs.Olimpia Vorovenci Expert in Agro-Food Produce Standards Romanian Standards Association TRADE/WP.7/GE.6/2001/3 page 7

21-25 Mendeleev str., 70168 Bucharest 2, Romania Tel: +401 310 43 09 Fax: +401 315 58 70 E-mail: [email protected]

RUSSIAN FEDERATION

Mr. Boris Anissimov Head of Section for Potato Department of Plant Growing Ministry of Agriculture RF Orlikov per, 1/11 Moscow Russia Tel: (7095) 2076395, Fax: (7095) 9755835

Mrs. Galina Antonova Head of Department of Standards All Russian Potato Research Institute Moscow Region, Korenevo Tel: (7095) 5575001 ext.4-96 Fax: (7095) 5571011

Mr. Oleg Bolshakov Head of the Department Ministry of Industry, Science and Technologies RF Tverskaya str. 11 Moscow Russia Tel. /Fax: (7095) 2293713

Mr. Dmitry Dorokhov Deputy-Director, Centre ;ioengineering" Russian Academy of Sciences Prosp.60-letiya Oktyabrya, 7, k.1 117312 Moscow Russia Tel: (7 095) 135 61 91 Fax: (7 095) 135 05 71 E-mail: [email protected]

Mr.Alexey Fillippov Head of Department, Research Instirute of Plant Pathology Moscow region, B.Vijazemi 143050 VNIIF Tel: (7096) 3341004 Fax: (7096) 3340902 E-mail: alexey @ vniif.rosmail.com

Mr.Yury Goncharov Deputy Chairman, Chief of Registration and State List Department TRADE/WP.7/GE.6/2001/3 page 8

State Commission RF for Test and Protection of Selection Achievements Orlikov per. 1/11 Moscow Russia Tel: (7095) 2044920 Fax: (7095) 207 86 26 E-mail: desel @ agro.aris/ru

Mrs.Tatiana Kokina Head of Seed Inspection, Ministry of Agriculture RF Daev per.31 Moscow Russia Tel: (7095) 2077064 Fax: (7095) 2073883

Mrs.Tatiana Nikolaevskaya Deputy chief of the Methods Department State Commission RF for Test and Protection of Selection Achievements Orlikov per. 1/11 Moscow Russia Tel: (7095) 2044923 Fax: (7095) 207 89 26 E-mail: desel @ agro.aris.ru

Mr.Alexander Petrov Head of Department of International Organizations Ministry od Industry, Science and Technologies RF Tverskaya str. 11 Moscow Russia Tel: (7095) 2296342 Fax: (7095) 2302660

Mrs. Veneta Ponomareva Leading scientist All Russia Research Institute for Plant Quarantine Moscow region, Bykovo-2, Pogranichnaya str. 32 Tel: (7095) 5584453

Mrs.Alina Ovsiannikova Department of International Organization Ministry of Industry, Science and Technologies RF Tverskaya str. 11 Moscow Russia Tel: (7095) 2291927 Fax: (7095) 2302660

Mr.Valery Shmal Chairman State Commission RF for Test and Protection of Selection Achievements Orlikov per. 1/11 Moscow Russia TRADE/WP.7/GE.6/2001/3 page 9

Tel: (7095) 2044926 Fax: (7095) 207 86 26 E-mail: desel @ agro.aris/ru

Mr.Konstantin Skryabin Director, Centre ;ioengineering" Russian Academy of Sciences Prosp.60-letiya Oktyabrya, 7, k.1 117312 Moscow Russia Tel: (7 095) 135 73 19 Fax: (7 095) 135 05 71 E-mail: [email protected]

Mrs.Irina Solovieva Scientific Secretary, Centre ;ioengineering" Russian Academy of Sciences Prosp.60-letiya Oktyabrya, 7, k.1 117312 Moscow Russia Tel: (7 095) 135 80 07 Fax: (7 095) 135 05 71 E-mail: [email protected]

Mrs.Valentina Tarassenkova Head specialist of Department of Life Science Ministry of Industry, Science and Technologies RF Tverskaya str. 11 Moscow Russia Tel/ Fax: (7095) 2298911

Mr.Alexander Uskov Head of the Department of Immunodiagnostics and Certification All Russian Potato Research Institute Moscow Region, Korenevo Tel: (7095) 5575001 ext.4-08 Fax: (7095) 5571011

Mrs.Vera Yakovleva Leading Scientist All Russia Research Institute for Plant Quarantine Moscow region, Bykovo-2, Pogranichnaya str. 32 Tel: (7095) 5584453

UK Mr.S.Carnegie Head of Potato Section TRADE/WP.7/GE.6/2001/3 page 10

Scottish Agricultural Science Agency East Craigs, Edinburgh EH12 8NJ UK Tel: +44 131 244 8858 Fax: +44 131 144 89 40 E-mail: [email protected]

USA Mr.O.Gutbrod Seed Certification Specialist Oregon State University Crop Science Building 031 Corvallis, Or 97331-3003 USA Tel: +1 541 737 4513 Fax: +1 541 737 2624 E-mail: [email protected]

EU COMMISSION

Mr. Bruno Foletto Principal Administrator of European Commission

DG Health and Consumer Protection

Rue de la Loi 200 1049 Bruxelles Belgium

E-mail: [email protected]

EU TACIS PROJECT Mr. David Coombs Project Potato Expert EU TACIS Project FD RUS 9704 "Improving Quality Control of Selectetd Food Products" 443100 Samara, Nevskaya ul.,1 office 106 Russia Tel (8462) 37 16 46, Fax (7 095) 975 52 29 E-mail: [email protected]; [email protected]

Mr.Yuri Ginsburg Project Assistant EU TACIS Project FD RUS 9704 "Improving Quality Control of Selected Food Products" 443100 Samara, ul.Nevskaya, 1 office 106, Russia Tel/Fax: (8462) 37 16 46 TRADE/WP.7/GE.6/2001/3 page 11

E-mail: [email protected]

Mr. Rupert Haydock Executive Director of TACIS Project Contracting company NI-CO (Northern Ireland Consulting Organization).

64 Chichester st., Bekfast BT1 4JX UK

Tel (44 28) 90544902, Fax (4428) 90544900

E-mail: [email protected]

Mr. Colin Norman Project Team Leader EU TACIS Project FD RUS 9704 "Improving Quality Control of Selectetd Food Products" Orlikov lane, 1/11, Room 717a Moscow, Russia Tel (7 095) 207 85 70, Fax (7 095) 975 52 29 E-mail: [email protected]

UNITED NATIONS ECONOMIC COMMISSION FOR EUROPE MINISTRY OF INDUSTRY, SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGIES RUSSIAN FEDERATION

CENTRE "BIOENGINEERING" OF RUSSIAN ACADEMY OF SCIENCES

Meeting of UN/ECE Rapporteurs on Standards of Seed Potato Moscow, 24-26 October, 2000

AGENDA

October 24 9-30 - 10-00 Registration

10-00 Opening of the Meeting. Greetings from: United Nations Economic Commission for Europe Ministry of Industry, Science and Technologies of Russian Federation Centre "Bioengineering" of Russian Academy of Sciences

Chairman: P.G.Bianchi Vice-chairman: D.B.Dorokhov TRADE/WP.7/GE.6/2001/3 page 12

(Working languages: Russian and English)

10-15 Information on the National Systems of potato seed certification - presentations of rapporteurs

11-30 Information on the EU TACIS Project "Improving Quality Control of Selected Food Products in Russia" - TACIS representatives in Moscow

11-45 Coffee - break

12-00 Discussion on the Questionnaire on national certification schemes

13-00 - 14-30 Lunch

14-30 Continuation of discussion on the Questionnaire on national certification schemes. Finalization.

15-30 Coffee - break

15-45 Preparation of meeting with IPPC, OMC, NAPPO, EPPO

16-15 Annex on sampling

16-30 Concerns of seed buyers ______

October 25

10-00 Sub-divisions of categories

11-00 Provisions for pre-basic TC

11-00 Coffee - break

11-45 Implications of GMOs for the standard

12-0 Test detection of virus Y ntn with PCR method

12-30 Development of UN/ECE explanatory material for diseases and parasites TRADE/WP.7/GE.6/2001/3 page 13

13-00 - 14-30 Lunch

14-30 - 17-00 Preparing of final documents of the Meeting (working language - English)

______

October 26

Technical visit to the Centre "Bioengineering" of Russian Academy of Sciences:

10-00 Start from the Hotel "East-West"

13-30 Return to the Hotel "East-West"