The Designated Area Is Lifted and Prescribed Phytosanitary Measures to Control Grapevine Flavescence Dorée Are Discontinued

This year, under programme components 1.1.13 – Surveillance of the harmful organism Candidatus phytoplasma vitis (Flavescence dorée) and monitoring of the vector Scaphoideus titanus, and 1.3.1 – Emergency measures – surveillance in designated areas where the harmful organism Candidatus phytoplasma vitis (Flavescence dorée) has been detected, special surveillance is being conducted to monitor the presence of this harmful organism in grapevines (Vitis vinifera). At the request of the Administration for Food Safety, Veterinary and Phytosanitary Affairs, the Institute for Pesticides and Environmental Protection – Laboratory for Applied Phytopathology in Zemun, Republic of Serbia, conducted laboratory analyses of 220 grapevine leaf samples originating from Montenegro to determine the presence of Grapevine flavescence dorée. The analyses were carried out using an accredited molecular PCR method, in accordance with the diagnostic protocol of the European and Mediterranean Plant Protection Organization (EPPO) PM 7/079 (2) – Grapevine flavescence dorée phytoplasma. In view of the results of the special surveillance conducted in the designated area at the Mataguži site, Zeta Municipality, over two consecutive years, during which the presence of Grapevine flavescence dorée was not confirmed, the conditions for lifting the designated area have been met. In accordance with Article 11 of the Order on Emergency Phytosanitary Measures to Prevent the Introduction, Spread and Eradication of Grapevine Flavescence Dorée Phytoplasma (Official Gazette of Montenegro, No. 26/25), the designated area at the Mataguži site, Zeta Municipality, is lifted, thereby ending the implementation of the prescribed phytosanitary measures to control the aforementioned harmful organism.