In the European Union (EU), additional measures will be implemented to prevent the introduction and spread of the bacterium Curtobacterium flaccumfaciens pv. flaccumfaciens (Cff). This is in response to recent outbreaks and findings of Cff in imported bean seeds, including in the Netherlands. The measures are outlined in a new European regulation that will come into effect on July 23, 2025. What does this mean for you as a grower, breeder/seed company, trader, or importer?
Additional Measures for Specific Host Plants
Cff already has the status of a quarantine organism. Therefore, there are requirements in the EU to prevent and combat this organism. The new Regulation (EU) 2025/1316 outlines additional measures. These new measures apply to seeds and young plants of the following host plants of Cff: soybean (Glycine max), runner bean (Phaseolus coccineus), lima bean (Phaseolus lunatus), common snap and green bean (Phaseolus vulgaris), adzuki bean (Vigna angularis), urad bean (Vigna mungo), mung bean (Vigna radiata), cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) and broad bean (Vicia faba).
No new measures apply to material intended for human consumption and animal feed (fresh beans or dried beans).
What Changes?
The main changes are:
1. Survey Requirement in the Cultivation of Specific Host Plants
From July 23, 2025, to April 30, 2029, there will be an annual survey requirement in the cultivation of these specific host plants. This means that the NVWA will conduct survey inspections at companies that grow these host plants. NVWA inspectors will visually check the crops for symptoms of Cff. If they find symptoms, they will take a sample to test for Cff.
The NVWA will also conduct surveys in strips around fields with cultivation of specific host plants. This is to gain insight into the extent of the spread of Cff. NVWA inspectors will take samples of weeds, even if no symptoms of Cff are visible yet.
In the event of a finding of Cff, the NVWA will impose measures. This means that the crop and the weeds must be removed from the land as soon as possible. For example, by plowing under the crop or the weeds. In addition, immediate hygiene measures and a cultivation and planting ban for legumes will apply for the next two calendar years. For a detailed explanation, see our webpage on the measures in case of a finding of Cff.
2. New Import Requirements
New import requirements will apply for seeds and young plants of these host plants. The new import requirements will take effect from April 23, 2026.
From then on, there will be 4 options for importing seeds and young plants:
- The country of origin is officially known to be free from Cff.
- The plant material comes from an area that is free from Cff. This has been officially declared by the authorities in the country of origin.
- The plant material comes from a production location that is under the supervision of the official authorities. The plant material has been tested and found free from Cff.
- Export batches of seeds have been tested and found free from Cff.
The exporter in the country of origin outside the EU (third country) must ensure that the plant material to be exported meets one of these requirements. The exact English text is in the annex of Regulation (EU) 2025/1316. The NVWA will add the annotations at the beginning of 2026 to the document Annotations for import other than vegetables and fruit. Inform your supplier about these import requirements.
3. Mandatory Import Inspections for Seeds
From April 23, 2026, there will be an inspection requirement for imports from third countries of seeds of: lima bean (Phaseolus lunatus), adzuki bean (Vigna angularis), urad bean (Vigna mungo), mung bean (Vigna radiata) and cowpea (Vigna unguiculata). Seeds of these plant species will be listed as certificate and inspection required products in Annex XI of Regulation (EU) 2019/2072.
In the Netherlands, the inspection services will carry out these import inspections. This means that inspectors from the inspection services will check shipments of seeds from all specific host plants. Shipments of seeds that become subject to inspection must be registered for an import inspection from that moment on.
For seeds of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris), runner bean (Phaseolus coccineus), soybean (Glycine max) and broad bean (Vicia faba), there is already an inspection requirement in place. This will remain in effect.
Mandatory Sampling of Seeds of Phaseolus vulgaris and Phaseolus coccineus Remains in Effect
The NVWA will continue to randomly sample shipments of seeds of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) and runner bean (Phaseolus coccineus) from third countries upon import, at least until the new import requirements take effect on April 23, 2026. However, the percentage of samples will be reduced in June 2025. The NVWA is currently investigating a minimum of 10% of shipments of seeds of Phaseolus vulgaris and Phaseolus coccineus from third countries for the presence of Cff.
The NVWA conducts this mandatory import testing due to an increased risk of contamination of seeds. Cff has been found in shipments of seeds from third countries. This included shipments from countries where it is not known that Cff occurs. Many third countries do not test for Cff, as shown by contact between the NVWA and the authorities of these countries. These countries have time to properly set up the testing. They have been given 9 months after Regulation (EU) 2025/1316 comes into effect. Then the new import requirements will apply.
A shipment is excluded from the sample if the country of origin has declared on the phytosanitary certificate that all batches in the shipment have been tested for Cff and found free.
More Information
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