D-DNS 16: 202x  
 
  
 
DOMINICA NATIONAL STANDARD  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
PEST FREE POTATO (SOLANUM SPP.) MICROPROPAGATIVE 
MATERIAL AND MINITUBERS FOR INTERNATIONAL 
TRADE  
 
D-DNS 16: 202x 
 
 
 
 
©DBOS 202x  
Dominica Bureau of Standards  
National Centre of Testing Excellence  
P.O. Box 1015, Stockfarm, Roseau  
Commonwealth of Dominica, W.I.  
Tel.: 767 -275-5921/3017  
Email: info@dominicastandards.org  
 
 
 
 
 
___________ 202x       Price Group  ______  
D-DNS 16: 202x  
 
   
COPYRIGHT © 20 2x 
 
This document contains proprietary information, and should not be published, reproduced, copied, 
disclosed or used for any purpose without the prior written approval of the Dominica Bureau of 
Standards (DBOS).  This does not preclude quotation for the purp oses of review or comments. 
Enquiries relating to copyright may be addressed to the Director, Dominica Bureau of Standards  
  
i 
 Draft No.  1 
ISSUED FOR COMMENT ONLY  
DRAFT  
DOMINICA NATIONAL STANDARD  
PEST FREE POTATO (SOLANUM SPP.) MICROPROPAGATIVE MATERIAL AND 
MINITUBERS FOR INTERNATIONAL TRADE  
 
D-DNS 16: 202x  
 
 
 
 
 
Last date for comments …………………………..  
 
 
 
DOMINICA BUREAU OF STANDARDS  
National Centre of Testing Excellence  
Stockfarm  
P.O. Box 1015  
Roseau  
COMMONWEALTH OF DOMINICA  
Email: info@dominicastandards.org   
  This is a draft and should not be regarded or used as a 
Dominica National Standard   
ii 
 GENERAL STATEMENT  
 
The Dominica Bureau of Standards was established under the Standards Act (#4) of 1999 and 
started operations in April 2000. A broad -based 15 -member Standards Council governs the affairs 
of the Bureau.  
 
The Standards Act gives the Bureau the responsibility  to facilitate the development and promotion 
of Standards and Codes of Practice for products and services for the protection of the health and 
safety of consumers and the environment as well as for industrial development in order to promote 
the enhancement  of the economy of Dominica.  
 
The Bureau develops Standards through consultations with relevant interest groups. In accordance 
with the provisions of the Standards Act, public comment is invited on all draft Standards before 
they are declared as Dominica National Standards (DNS).  
 
The Bureau is a correspondent member body of the International Organization for Standardization 
(ISO), an affiliate member of the International Electro -technical Commission (IEC), and a member 
of the Caribbean Regional Organizat ion for Standards and Quality (CROSQ) and the Pan 
American Standards Commission (COPANT). The Bureau is the local agent for foreign Standard 
Body, the American Standards for Testing and Measurement (ASTM). The Bureau also serves as 
the enquiry point for th e World Trade Organization (WTO) on matters pertaining to the Technical 
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Agreement and is the Contact Point for Codex Alimentarius.  
 
In accordance with good practice for the adoption and application of Standards, Dominica National 
Standards are subject to periodic review every five years.  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
iii 
  
 
 
 
Amendments  
 
 
 
Amendment No.   
Date of Issue   
Text (s) Affected  
   
 
   
iv 
 DOMINICA NATIONAL STANDARD  
PEST FREE POTATO (SOLANUM SPP.) MICROPROPAGATIVE MATERIAL AND 
MINITUBERS FOR INTERNATIONAL TRADE  
 
TECHNICAL COMMITTEE – Food Products, Processes and Services (FPPS)  
 
 
ORGANIZATION  REPRESENTIVE (S)  
(Alternate)  
Dominica Association of Industry and Commerce  Alleyna Robin  
Dominica Export Import Agency  Lloyd Pascal  
Sharon Rolle  
Dominica Manufacturers Association  Linvor Ambo  
Dominica State College  Sharon Allicock Joseph  
Valda Joseph  
IICA  Kent Coipel  
Ministry of Agriculture, Food, and Fisheries  Anna Mary Seraphine  
Ministry of Trade, Energy, and Employment  Margaret Roudette  
Jackie Xavier  
TECHNICAL SECRETARY  
Mr. Kyle James  
Technical Officer, DBOS  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
1 
 TABLE OF CONTENTS  
 
0.0 FOREWORD ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ...... 3 
INTRODUCTION  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ..........  4 
Scope  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ..............................  4 
References  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ......................  4 
Definitions  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ......................  4 
Outline of Requirements  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ . 4 
BACKGROUND  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ............  6 
required.  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ..........................  6 
1. Responsibilities  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ...... 6 
2. Pest Risk Analysis  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ .. 7 
2.1 Pathway -specific lists of regulated potato pests  ................................ ................................ .............  7 
2.2 Pest risk management options  ................................ ................................ ................................ ........  7 
2.2.1 Potato micropropagative material  ................................ ................................ ...........................  7 
2.2.2  Minitubers  ................................ ................................ ................................ ..............................  8 
3. Production of Pest Free Potato Micropropagative Material  ................................ ................................ ... 8 
3.1 Establishment of pest free potato micropropagative material  ................................ ........................  8 
3.1.1  Testing programme to verify pe st freedom  ................................ ................................ ............  8 
3.1.2  Establishment facilities  ................................ ................................ ................................ ...........  8 
3.2 Maintenance and propagation facilities for pest free potato micropropagative  .............................  9 
3.3 Combined establishment and maintenance facilities  ................................ ................................ ...... 9 
3.4 Additional specifications for potato micro propagation facilities  ................................ .................  10 
4. Production of Pest Free Minitubers  ................................ ................................ ................................ ...... 10 
4.1 Eligible material  ................................ ................................ ................................ ...........................  10 
4.2 Minituber facilities  ................................ ................................ ................................ .......................  10 
5. Staff Competence  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ . 11 
6. Documentation and Record -Keeping  ................................ ................................ ................................ ... 11 
7. Auditing  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ................  12 
8. Phytosanitary Certification  ................................ ................................ ................................ ...................  12 
ANNEX 1: General requirements for official testing laboratories for potato  ................................ ..............  13 
micropropagative material and minitubers  ................................ ................................ ...............................  13 
ANNEX 2: Additional requirements for potato mi cropropagation facilities  ................................ ...............  14 
ANNEX 3: Additional requirements for minituber production facilities  ................................ .....................  15 
APPENDIX 1: Examples of pests that may be of concern with respect to potato  ................................ ....... 17  
2 
 micropropagative material  ................................ ................................ ................................ ........................  17 
APPENDIX 2: Examples of pests that may be of concern with resp ect to potato  ................................ ....... 19 
minituber production  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................  19 
APPENDIX 3: Flow chart showing the normal sequence of establishment, maintenance  ..........................  20 
and production of pest free potato micropropagative material and minitubers  ................................ ........  20 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
3 
  
 
 
 
0.0 FOREWORD  
 
0.1. This Dominica National Standard was adopted by the Bureau of Standards (the Bureau) 
of the Commonwealth of Dominica on  _____________  after the draft was finalized by 
Technical Committee for Food Products, Processes and Services (FPPS) and has been 
approved by the  Minister responsible for the Bureau.  
 
0.2. This Standard became effective as a Compulsory Standard on the date notified by the 
Minister with responsibility for the Bureau of Standards in a Notice published in the 
Commonwealth of Dominica Of ficial Gazette on ________________.  
 
0.3. This standard is an identical adoption of International Standards for Phytosanitary 
Measures (ISPM) 33: 2015 - Pest free potato (Solanum spp.) micropropagative material 
and minitubers for international trade . 
 
 
0.4. Acknowledgement is given to International Plan t Protection Convention  (IPPC ) for 
providing permission to adopt ISPM 33: 201 5.  
 
0.5. Although the editorial style and layout of the ISPM 33: 201 5 are not in conformity with 
that of Dominica's Standards, the identical adoption has been approved as suitable for  
publication as a Dominica National Standard.  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
4 
  
 
 
 
INTRODUCTION  
Scope  
This standard provides guidance on the production, maintenance and phytosanitary certification of 
pest free potato ( Solanum tuberosum  and related tuber -forming species) micropropagative material 
and minitubers intended for international trade.  
This standard does not apply to field -grown propagative material of potato or to potatoes intended 
for consumption or processing.  
References  
The present standard refers to International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures (ISPMs). ISPMs 
are available on the International Phytosanitary Portal (IPP) at 
https://www.ipp c.int/core activities/standards -setting/ispms .  
Definitions  
Definitions of phytosanitary terms c an be found in ISPM 5 (Glossary of phytosanitary terms) .  
In addition to definitions in ISPM 5, in this standard the following definitions apply:   
potato micropropagative material  Plants in vitro  of tuber -forming Solanum  spp.  
minituber                                            A tuber produced from potato micropropagative material  in 
pest-free growing medium in a facility under specified 
protected conditions   
 
seed potatoes                                     Tubers (including minitubers ) and potato micropropagative 
material of cultivated tuber -forming Solanum spp. for planting  
Outline of Requirements  
Facilities used for the production of potato micropropagative material and minitubers for export 
should be authorized or operated directly  by the national plant protection organization (NPPO) of 
the exporting country. Pest risk analysis (PRA), carried out by the NPPO of the importing country, 
should provide the justification for establishing phytosanitary import requirements for regulated 
pests in trade of potato micropropagative material and minitubers.   
The phytosanitary measures for managing risks related to potato micropropagative  material include 
testing for the pests regulated by the importing country, and management systems for the 
maintenance and propagation of potato micropropagative material derived from candidate plants 
that have been determined to be pest free in closed, as eptic conditions. For the production of 
minitubers, measures include derivation from pest free potato micropropagative material and 
production in a pest free production site.   
5 
 To establish pest free potato micropropagative material, candidate plants should  be tested in a 
testing laboratory authorized or operated directly by the NPPO. This laboratory should meet general 
requirements for ensuring that all material moved into a maintenance and propagation facility is 
free from pests regulated by the importing country.  
Facilities for the establishment of pest free potato micropropagative material and testing for pest 
freedom are subject to strict requirements to prevent contamination or infestation of material. 
Facilities for maintenance and propagation of pest  free potato micropropagative material and 
minituber production are also subject to stringent requirements to maintain pest freedom. Staff 
should be trained and competent in techniques for the establishment and maintenance of pest free 
potato micropropagat ive material, the production of pest free minitubers, diagnostic testing as 
required, and in following administrative, management and record -keeping procedures. The 
management system and procedures of each facility and the testing laboratory should be defi ned in 
a manual(s). Throughout all production and testing processes, the identity of all propagative 
material should be preserved, and traceability should be maintained through adequate 
documentation.  
All facilities should be officially audited to ensure that they continue to meet requirements. In 
addition, inspections should ensure that the potato micropropagative material and minitubers meet 
the importing country’s phytosanitary import requirements. Pest free potato micropropagative 
material and minitube rs moving in international trade should be accompanied by a phytosanitary 
certificate.     
6 
 BACKGROUND  
Many pests are associated with the production of potato ( Solanum tuberosum  and related 
tuberforming  species) worldwide. As potatoes are propagated mainly by vegetative means, there is 
considerable risk of introducing and spreading pests through international trade of seed potatoes. 
Potato micropropagative material derived from appropriately tested mater ial and using suitable 
phytosanitary measures should be considered free from regulated pests. Use of such material as 
starting material for further potato production reduces the risks of introduction and spread of 
regulated pests. Potato micropropagative m aterial can be multiplied under specified protected 
conditions to produce minitubers. Provided that minituber production is carried out under pest free 
conditions using pest free micropropagative material, minitubers can also be traded with minimum 
risk.  
Conventional micropropagation does not necessarily result in material that is free from pests. The 
presence or absence of pests is verified by appropriate testing of the material.   
As per ISPM 16 ( Regulated non -quarantine pests: concept and application ), programmes for the 
certification of plants for planting for seed potatoes (sometimes known as “seed potato certification 
schemes”) frequently include specific requirements for pests as well as non -phytosanitary 
requirements such as varietal purity, size of  the product etc. Many seed potato certification schemes 
require potato micropropagative material to be derived from plants that have been tested and found 
free from the pests covered by the scheme. Such schemes are usually designed to control pests 
presen t in the production country that are of national economic importance. Therefore, the pests 
covered by a specific scheme or the strength of measures may not always meet all of the 
phytosanitary import requirements of importing countries. In such cases, addi tional phytosanitary 
measures may be  
required.   
In this standard, pest free potato micropropagative material is potato micropropagative material 
that has been tested and found free from the pests regulated by the importing country, or derived 
from such t ested material, and maintained under conditions to prevent contamination and 
infestation.   
REQUIREMENTS  
1. Responsibilities  
The NPPO of the importing country is responsible for pest risk analysis and should, on request, 
have access to documentation and fac ilities to enable it to verify that the phytosanitary procedures 
in the facility meet its phytosanitary import requirements.  
Only facilities authorized or operated directly by a NPPO should be used for the production and 
maintenance of potato micropropagative material and minitubers for export as described in this 
standard. The NPPO of the exporting country is responsible for en suring that the phytosanitary 
aspects of these facilities and of the related seed potato propagation system meet the importing  
7 
 country’s phytosanitary import requirements. The NPPO of the exporting country is also 
responsible for phytosanitary certificatio n.   
2. Pest Risk Analysis  
PRA provides technical justification for identifying regulated pests and for establishing 
phytosanitary import requirements for potato micropropagative material and minitubers. PRA 
should be carried out by the NPPO of the importing  country in accordance with ISPM 2 
(Framework for pest risk analysis ) and ISPM 11 ( Pest risk analysis for quarantine pests ) for the 
pathways of “potato micropropagative material” and “minitubers” from given origins. The PRA 
may identify quarantine pests as sociated with these pathways. The PRA should also be carried out 
in accordance with ISPM 21 ( Pest risk analysis for regulated non -quarantine pests ) as appropriate 
in order to identify regulated non -quarantine pests.   
Importing countries should notify NPPO s of exporting countries of the outcome of the PRAs.  
2.1 Pathway -specific lists of regulated potato pests  
For the purposes of this standard, the NPPO of the importing country is encouraged to establish 
pathway -specific regulated pest lists for potato micropr opagative material and minitubers 
respectively and, on request, should provide these lists to NPPOs of exporting countries. Guidance 
on regulated pest lists is provided in ISPM 19 ( Guidelines on lists of regulated pests ).  
2.2 Pest risk management options  
The pest risk management measures are determined based on the PRA. It may be appropriate for 
the measures to be integrated into a systems approach for production of potato material (as 
described in ISPM 14 ( The use of integrated measures in a syst ems approach for pest risk 
management )). A flow chart showing the normal sequence of establishment, maintenance and 
production of pest free potato micropropagative material and minitubers is provided in Appendix 
3.   
2.2.1 Potato micropropagative material  
Phyto sanitary measures for managing pest risks related to potato micropropagative material 
include:  
- testing individual plants (candidate plants) for the pests regulated by the importing country 
and establishing potato micropropagative material in establishment  facilities. Pest freedom 
is verified once all relevant testing is successfully completed (the status of the 
micropropagative material derived from the tested candidate plant changes to pest free potato 
micropropagative material)   
- maintaining pest freedom  using management systems for the maintenance and propagation 
of the pest free potato micropropagative material in a closed, aseptic environment in 
maintenance and propagation facilities.   
8 
 2.2.2 Minitubers  
Phytosanitary measures for managing pest risks related specifically to minituber production should 
be based on pest risk assessment information related to the area of production and include:  
- derivation of the minitubers from pest free potato micropropagative material   
- production in pest free growing media un der specified protected conditions in a pest free 
production site free from the pests (and their vectors) regulated for minitubers by the 
importing country.  
3. Production of Pest Free Potato Micropropagative Material  
3.1 Establishment of pest free potato microp ropagative material  
A candidate plant, from which the pest free potato micropropagative material is derived, should be 
inspected, tested and found free from regulated pests. It may also be required to be grown through 
a complete vegetative cycle, inspecte d, tested and found free from regulated pests. In addition to 
the laboratory testing procedure for regulated pests described below, potato micropropagative 
material should be inspected and found free from other pests or their symptoms and general 
microbial  contamination.   
Where a candidate plant is determined to be infested it will normally be disposed of. However, for 
certain types of regulated pests, the NPPO may allow that recognized techniques (e.g. meristem tip 
culture, thermotherapy) be used in combi nation with conventional micropropagation to eliminate 
the pest from the candidate plant, and prior to the initiation of the in vitro  multiplication 
programme. In such cases, laboratory testing must be used to confirm the success of this approach 
before mu ltiplication commences.  
3.1.1 Testing programme to verify pest freedom  
A testing programme on the candidate plant should be applied in an official testing laboratory. This 
laboratory should meet general requirements (described in Annex 1) to ensure that all po tato 
micropropagative material moved to maintenance and propagation facilities is free from the pests 
regulated by the importing country. Conventional micropropagation does not consistently exclude 
some pests, for example, viruses, viroids, phytoplasmas an d bacteria. A list of pests that may be of 
concern to potato micropropagative material is provided in Appendix 1.   
3.1.2 Establishment facilities  
A facility used to establish pest free potato micropropagative  material from new candidate plants 
should be authorized or directly operated by the NPPO specifically for this purpose. The facility 
should provide a secure means for establishing individual pest free potato micropropagative 
material from candidate plants  and for holding these plants separately from tested material while 
awaiting required test results. Because both infested and pest free potato propagative material 
(tubers, plants in vitro  etc.) may be handled in the same facility, strict procedures should  be 
implemented to prevent contamination or infestation of pest free material. Such procedures should 
include:   
9 
 - prohibition of entry of unauthorized personnel and control of the entry of authorized staff  
- provision for the use of dedicated protective cloth ing (including dedicated footwear or 
disinfection of footwear) and hand washing on entry (with particular care being taken if staff 
members work in areas of higher phytosanitary risk, e.g., the testing facility)  
- chronological records of actions in handlin g material so that production can, if necessary, be 
checked easily for contamination and infestation if pests are detected  
- stringent aseptic techniques, including disinfection of work areas and sterilization of 
instruments ( e.g., by autoclaving) between h andling materials of a different phytosanitary 
status.  
3.2 Maintenance and propagation facilities for pest free potato micropropagative  
material  
A facility that maintains and propagates pest free potato micropropagative material should be 
operated separately from the facilities that establish potato plants in vitro and conduct the testing 
for regulated pests (although exceptional circumstances are described in section 3.3). The facility 
should be operated as a pest free production site (as described in ISPM 10 ( Requirements for the 
establishment of pest free places of production and pest free production sites )) with respect to the 
pests of potato re gulated by the importing country for potato micropropagative material. The 
facility should:  
- maintain and propagate only officially certified pest free potato micropropagative material 
and permit only pest free material to enter the facility  
- grow other pl ant species only if this is officially permitted and if:  
.  the pest risks to potato propagative material have been assessed and, if identified, the 
plants have been tested and found to be free from regulated pests before entering the 
facility  
 .  adequa te precautions are taken to separate them in space or time from the potato 
plants  
- implement officially approved operational procedures to prevent entry of regulated pests  
- control the entry of staff and provide for the use of protective clothing, disinfec tion of 
footwear and hand washing on entry (with particular care being taken if staff members work 
in areas of higher phytosanitary risk, e.g., the testing facility)  
- use aseptic procedures  
- implement regular management system checks by the manager or a designated responsible 
staff member and keep records  
- prohibit the entry of unauthorized personnel.  
3.3 Combined establishment and maintenance facilities  
Exceptionally, establishment facilities m ay also maintain pest free potato micropropagative 
material provided that strict procedures are adopted and applied to prevent infestation of maintained 
material from other material of a lower phytosanitary status.   
10 
 These strict procedures include:   
- the p rocedures in sections 3.1 and 3.2 to prevent infestation of the pest free potato 
micropropagative material and to keep material of different phytosanitary status separate  
- the use of separate laminar flow cabinets and instruments for the maintained materia l and for 
material of a lower phytosanitary status or implementation of stringent procedures to keep 
the processes of establishment and maintenance separate - scheduled audit tests on the 
material maintained.  
3.4 Additional specifications for potato microprop agation facilities   
Additional specifications for potato micropropagation facilities are provided in Annex 2 and may 
be required depending on the pests present in the area and the results of PRA.  
Pest free potato micropropagative material established and  maintained in these facilities may be 
propagated further to produce minitubers or may be traded internationally as such.  
4. Production of Pest Free Minitubers  
The following guidance for minituber production also applies to parts of minitubers that are trad ed 
internationally, such as sprouts.  
4.1 Eligible material  
The only potato material allowed to enter the minituber production facility should be pest free 
potato micropropagative material. Plants of other plant species may be permitted to be grown in 
the fac ility provided that:  
- the phytosanitary risks to minitubers have been assessed and, if identified, the other plant 
species have been tested and found to be pest free before entering the facility  
- adequate precautions are taken to separate them in space and/or time from the potato plants 
to prevent contamination.  
4.2 Minituber facilities  
A minituber production facility should be operated as a pest free production site (as described in 
ISPM 10) with re spect to pests regulated by the importing country for minitubers. Pests that may 
be of concern include those for potato micropropagative material i.e., viruses, viroids, 
phytoplasmas and bacteria (listed in Appendix 1) and also fungi, nematodes, arthropods  etc. (listed 
in Appendix 2).  
Production should be under protected conditions, for example a growth room, glasshouse, 
polythene tunnel or (if appropriate, based on local pest status) a screen house with suitable mesh 
size, constructed and maintained to pr event the entry of pests. If the facility includes adequate 
physical and operational safeguards against the introduction of the regulated pests, no additional 
requirements should be necessary. However, in cases where these safeguards cannot  be met, 
additio nal requirements should be considered. Depending on conditions in the area of production, 
these may include:   
11 
 - location of the facility in a pest free area, or an area or site that is well isolated from sources 
of the regulated pests  
- a buffer zone around t he facility for regulated pests  
- location of the facility in an area with low pest and pest vector incidence  
- production at a time of year when there is low pest and pest vector incidence.  
The entry of authorized personnel to the facility should be contro lled and provision should be made 
for use of protective clothing, disinfection of footwear and hand washing on entry to prevent 
contamination from dirty to clean areas. It should also be possible to decontaminate the facility if 
required. The growing mediu m, water supply and fertilizer or plant additives used in the facility 
should be pest free.   
The facility should be monitored for the regulated pests and pest vectors during the production 
cycle and, if necessary, pest control measures or other corrective  actions should be undertaken and 
documented. The facility should be well maintained and cleaned after each production cycle.  
The minitubers should be handled, stored, packed and transported under conditions preventing 
infestation and contamination by the  regulated pests.   
Additional requirements for minituber production facilities are provided in Annex 3 and may be 
required depending on the pests present in the area and the results of PRA.  
5. Staff Competence  
Staff should be trained and competent in:   
- techniques for the establishment of pest free potato micropropagative material, the 
maintenance of pest free potato micropropagative material, the production of pest free 
minitubers, and diagnostic testing as relevant  
- following administrative, management an d record -keeping procedures.  
Procedures for maintaining staff competence should be in place and training should be updated, in 
particular, when phytosanitary import requirements change.  
6. Documentation and Record -Keeping  
The management system, and operating procedures and instructions  of each facility and the testing 
laboratory, should be documented in a manual(s). In developing such manual(s), the following 
should be addressed:   
- the establishment, maintenance and propagation of pest free potato micropropagative 
material with particul ar attention paid to those control measures used to prevent infestation 
and contamination between the pest free potato micropropagative material and any material 
of another phytosanitary status  
- the production of pest free minitubers, covering management, technical and operational 
procedures, with particular attention paid to those control measures used to prevent pest  
12 
 infection, infestation and contamination of the minitubers during their production, harvest 
and storage, and during transport to their desti nation  
- all laboratory test procedures or processes to verify pest freedom.  
Throughout all production and testing, the identity of all propagative material should be preserved 
and traceability should be maintained by adequate record -keeping. Records of al l tests done on the 
material, as well as the results, lineage and records of the distribution of the material, should be 
kept in a manner that ensures traceability for the importing or exporting countries for at least five 
years. For pest free potato micro propagative material, the records that determine its pest free status 
should be maintained for as long as the micropropagative material is maintained.  
Records of staff training and competencies should be maintained as determined by the NPPO and, 
if approp riate, in consultation with the NPPO of the importing country.  
7. Auditing  
All facilities, systems and records should be officially audited to ensure compliance with the 
procedures and to meet the importing country’s phytosanitary import requirements.   
The NPPO of the importing country may ask to participate in such an audit, based on bilateral 
agreement.  
8. Phytosanitary Certification  
The potato micropropagation facility, relevant records and the plants should be subjected to 
appropriate phytosanitary proce dures to ensure that the micropropagative material meets the 
importing country’s phytosanitary import requirements.   
The potato minituber production facility, relevant records, the growing crop, and the minitubers 
should be subjected to appropriate phytos anitary procedures to ensure that the minitubers meet the 
importing country’s phytosanitary import requirements.   
Pest free potato micropropagative material and minitubers moving in international trade should be 
accompanied by a phytosanitary certificate issued by the NPPO of the exporting country according 
to ISPM 12 ( Phytosanitary certificate s) and complying with the phytosanitary import requirements 
of the importing country. The use of seed potato certification labels may assist with lot 
identification,  in particular when these labels specify the reference number of the lot, including 
where appropriate the producer’s identification number.    
13 
 This annex is a prescriptive part of the standard.  
ANNEX 1: General requirements for official testing laboratories for potato   
micropropagative material and minitubers  
The requirements for laboratories testing potato micropropagative material and minitubers 
operated or authorized by NPPOs include the following:  
- competent staff with adequate knowledge and experience of conducti ng appropriate test 
methods and interpreting the results  
- adequate and appropriate equipment to conduct microbiological, serological, molecular 
and bioassay tests, as appropriate  
- relevant validation data for the tests conducted or at least sufficient evid ence for the 
suitability of the test applied  
- procedures to prevent contamination of samples  
- adequate isolation from production facilities  
- a manual(s) that describes policy, organizational structure, work instructions, and testing 
standards and any quali ty management procedures   
- appropriate record -keeping and traceability for test results.   
14 
   
  
This annex is a prescriptive part of the standard.  
ANNEX 2: Additional requirements for potato micropropagation facilities  
In addition to the requirements in section 3, the following requirements for physical structure, 
equipment and operating procedures should be considered for micropropagation facilities, 
depending on the presence of pests in the area and the results of PRA.    
Physical structure  
- a double door entry with an air -curtain and with a changing area between the double doors  
- appropriate rooms for washing, media preparation, subculturing and growth of plants  
Equipment  
- high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) -filtere d positive air pressure systems or their 
equivalent for media, subculture and growth rooms  
- growth rooms with appropriate light, temperature and humidity control  
- adequate equipment or procedures in the subculture room to control pest contamination 
(e.g.  
ultraviolet (UV) germicidal lamps)  
- laminar flow cabinets for subculturing, which are serviced regularly  
- laminar flow cabinets fitted with UV germicidal lamps  
Operating procedures  
- a programme  for periodic disinfection/fumigation of the facility  
- use by staff of disposable/dedicated footwear or disinfection of footwear   
- appropriate hygienic practices for handling plant material ( e.g., cutting in vitro plantlets 
with a sterile scalpel over a st erile disposable surface)  
- a monitoring programme to check the level of air -borne contaminants in the subculture 
room, cabinets and growth room  
- an inspection and disposal procedure for infested potato micropropagative material.  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
15 
  
This annex is a prescriptive part of the standard.  
ANNEX 3: Additional requirements for minituber production facilities  
The following additional requirements for minituber production facilities should be considered, 
and when necessary included, depending  on the presence of pests and vectors in the area and 
the results of PRA:  
Physical structure  
- double door entry with a change area for changing garments and donning protective 
overcoats and gloves, the change area to contain foot disinfecting pads and a w ashing 
facility for washing and disinfecting hands  
- entry doors and all vents and openings covered with insect -proof screens with mesh that 
will prevent entry of the local pests and pest vectors  
- gaps between the external to internal environment to be sealed  
- production isolated from soil ( e.g., concrete fl oors or floors covered with a protective 
membrane)  
- designated areas for washing and disinfecting containers, and cleaning, grading, packing 
and storing minitubers  
- air filtration and/or sterilization system   
- in places where there is unreliable supply of electricity and water, standby facilities for 
emergencies  
Management of environment   
- suitable temperature, light, air circulation and humidity controls  
- misting for acclimatization of transplants  
Crop management  
- regular pest and pest vector monitoring ( e.g., using sticky insect traps) at specified 
intervals  
- hygienic practices for handling plant material  
- correct disposal procedures  
- identification of production lots  
- a suitable separation between lots  
- use of raised benches  
Growing media, f ertilizer, water  
- use of pest free soil -less growing medium  
- fumigation/disinfestations/steam sterilization of the growing medium before planting or 
other methods that guarantee freedom from potato pests  
- transport and storage of growing medium under condi tions preventing contamination  
- a water supply free of plant pests (either treated water or deep -well spring water), together 
with regular testing for potato pests if required  
- use of inorganic fertilizer or organic fertilizer that has been treated to elim inate pests  
-   
16 
 Post-harvest handling  
- sampling of minitubers for post -harvest tuber testing for indicator pests ( i.e., pests whose 
presence indicates that the pest free status of the minituber production facility has not been 
maintained)  
- suitable storage c onditions  
- grading and packing (if appropriate, according to a seed potato certification scheme)  
- new or adequately sterilized containers used for packing minitubers   
- containers for shipment adequate for preventing contamination by pests and pest vectors  
- adequate cleaning and disinfection of handling equipment and storage facilities.    
17 
  
This appendix is for reference purposes only and is not a prescriptive part of the standard.  
APPENDIX 1: Examples of pests that may be of concern with respect to potato  
micropropagative material  
Please note that the following list does not constitute a technical justification for regulating these 
pests.  
VIRUSES  ABBREVIATION  GENUS  
Alfalfa mosaic virus  AMV  Alfamovirus  
Andean potato latent virus   APLV  Tymovirus  
Andean potato mottle virus  APMoV  Comovirus   
Arracacha virus B -oca strain  AVB -O  Cheravirus  (tentative)  
Beet curly top virus   BCTV  Curtovirus  
Belladonna mottle virus  BeMV  Tymovirus  
Cucumber mosaic virus  CMV  Cucumovirus  
Eggplant mottled dwarf virus  EMDV  Nucleorhabdovirus  
Impatiens necrotic spot virus  INSV  Tospovirus  
Potato aucuba mosaic virus  PAMV  Potexvirus  
Potato black ringspot virus  PBRSV  Nepovirus  
Potato latent virus  PotLV  Carlavirus  
Potato leafroll virus  PLRV  Polerovirus  
Potato mop -top virus  PMTV  Pomovirus  
Potato rough dwarf virus  PRDV  Carlavirus  (tentative)  
Potato virus A  PVA  Potyvirus  
Potato virus M  PVM  Carlavirus  
Potato virus P  PVP  Carlavirus  (tentative)  
Potato virus S  PVS  Carlavirus  
Potato virus T  PVT  Trichovirus  
Potato virus U  PVU  Nepovirus  
Potato virus V  PVV  Potyvirus  
Potato virus X  PVX  Potexvirus  
Potato virus Y  (all strains)  PVY  Potyvirus  
Potato yellow dwarf virus  PYDV  Nucleorhabdovirus  
Potato yellow mosaic virus  PYMV  Begomovirus   
18 
 VIRUSES  ABBREVIATION  GENUS  
Potato yellow vein virus  PYVV  Crinivirus  (tentative)  
Potato yellowing virus  PYV  Alfamovirus  
Solanum apical leaf curling virus  SALCV  Begomovirus  (tentative)  
Sowbane mosaic virus  SoMV  Sobemovirus  
Tobacco mosaic virus  TMV  Tobamovirus  
Tobacco necrosis virus A  or 
Tobacco necrosis virus D  TNV -A or TNV -D  Necrovirus  
Tobacco rattle virus  TRV  Tobravirus  
Tobacco streak virus  TSV  Ilarvirus  
Tomato black ring virus  TBRV  Nepovirus  
Tomato chlorotic spot virus  TCSV  Tospovirus  
Tomato leaf curl New Delhi virus   ToLCNDV  Begomovirus  
Tomato mosaic virus  ToMV  Tobamovirus  
Tomato mottle Taino virus  ToMoTV  Begomovirus  
Tomato spotted wilt virus  TSWV  Tospovirus  
Tomato yellow leaf curl virus  TYLCV  Begomovirus  
Tomato yellow mosaic virus  ToYMV  Begomovirus  (tentative)  
Tomato yellow vein streak virus  ToYVSV  Geminivirus  (tentative)  
Wild potato mosaic virus  WPMV  Potyvirus  
VIROIDS       
Mexican papita viroid  MPVd  Pospiviroid  
Potato spindle tuber viroid  PSTVd  Pospiviroid  
BACTERIA       
Clavibacter michiganensis  subsp. 
sepedonicus       
Dickeya  spp.      
Pectobacterium atrosepticum       
P. carotovorum  subsp. 
carotovorum      
Ralstonia solanacearum      
PHYTOPLASMAS       
e.g. purple top, stolbur       
19 
   
This appendix is for reference purposes only and is not a prescriptive part of the standard.  
APPENDIX 2: Examples of pests that may be of concern with respect to potato  
minituber production  
Please note that the following list of pests does not constitute a technical justification for 
regulating these pests.  
In addition to pests listed in Appendix 1, many contracting parties require pests to be excluded 
from certified minituber potato product ion either as quarantine pests or as regulated non -
quarantine pests according to the pest status in the country concerned. Some examples are:  
Bacteria  
- Streptomyces  spp.  
Chromista  
- Phytophthora erythroseptica  Pethybr. var. erythroseptica   
- P. infestans  (Mont.) de Bary  
Fungi  
- Angiosorus (Thecaphora) solani  Thirumalachar & M.J. O'Brien) Mordue  
-   Fusarium  spp.  
- Polyscytalum pustulans  (M.N. Owen & Wakef.) M.B. Ellis  
- Rhizoctonia solani  J.G. Kühn  
- Synchytrium endobioticum  (Schilb.) Percival  
- Verticillium dahliae  Kleb.  
- V. albo -atrum  Reinke & Berthold  
Insects  
- Epitrix tuberis  Gentner   
- Leptinotarsa decemlineata  (Say)    
- Phthorimaea operculella  (Zeller)  
- Premnotrypes  spp.   
- Tecia solanivora  (Povolny)  
Nematodes  
- Ditylenchus destructor  (Thorne)   
- D. dipsaci  (Kühn) Filipjev  
- Globodera pallida  (Stone) Behrens  
- G. rostochiensis  (Wollenweber) Skarbilovich  
- Meloidogyne  spp. Göldi  
- Nacobbus aberrans  (Thorne) Thorne & Allen   
Protozoa  
- Spongospora subterranea  (Wallr.) Lagerh.   
 
  
20 
   
This appendix is for reference purposes only and is not a prescriptive part of the standard.  
APPENDIX 3: Flow chart showing the normal sequence of establishment, maintenance  
and production of pest free potato micropropagative material and minitubers  
  
 
International Plant Protection Convention  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
Sample(s)  
  
Pest free micropropagative  
material  
  
Presence  
of pest  
No 
  
Yes 
  
Pest free micropropagative  
material  
  
Pest free minitubers  
  
Candidate plant  
  
Pest  
e 
limination  
and retesting  
resubmission as  
 ( 
candidate plant)  
  
Establishment facility  
  
growth and  
 ( 
micropropagation of plants;  
handling tested and untested  
material with adequate  
safeguards to prevent pest  
infestation or  
contamination.)  
  
Official  
  
  
testing  
  
laboratory  
( 
testing for  
regulated  
pests) 
  
Disposal  
  
Maintenance and  
  
propagation facility  
  
micropropagation  
 ( 
of pest free material  
under aseptic  
conditions)  
  
Export if it meets importing  
country’s phytosanitary  
import requirements  
Export if it meets importing  
country’s phytosanitary  
import requirements  
  
Export if they meet  
importing country’s  
phytosanitary import  
requirements  
Minituber facility  
  
production under conditions to  
 ( 
prevent pest infestation or  
contamination)  
   
21 
  
 
Dominica Bureau of Standards  
 
Dominica Bureau of Standards is a statutory body established under the Standards Act No. 
4 of 1999 to establish, promote and maintain Standards for:  
a. Improving goods and services produced or used in Dominica;  
b. Processes and pra ctices for ensuring industrial efficiency and 
development;  
c. Public and industrial welfare, health and safety;  
d. Safeguarding the environment.  
 
The National Standard Council  
 
The National Standard Council (NSC), a fourteen (14) member Council representing var ious 
interest groups, is appointed by the Minister responsible for the Dominica Bureau of 
Standards yearly, to guide the policy decision matters of the Bureau and oversee its financial 
management. The Council is also responsible for the general administrat ive affairs of the 
Dominica Bureau of Standards.  
 